Cyclethon 4 is Over. How Do I Really Feel About it?

One of the strangest things about finishing a massive project like Cyclethon is the comedown.

For two weeks, Connor and I were riding high — quite literally — through snow, cherry blossoms, and what I’m pretty sure was a bear-infested mountain range. And then, just like that, it’s over.

One minute you’re waving to a crowd outside of one of Tokyo's tallest towers, the next you’re sat alone in a room, wondering if your thighs will ever forgive you.

Honestly, it happens every time. Whether it’s Journey Across Japan or Cyclethon, the adrenaline wears off and you’re left staring into space, clutching a coffee and a piece of Family Mart chicken, trying to process what the heck happened.

But now that the dust has settled — and the saddle sores have mostly healed and I thought I’d share a few thoughts!

Was it better than Cyclethon 3? Connor and I weren’t sure we could top it. That one had it all: Tokyo Tower, Mount Fuji, and me terrorising children with a water pistol at Legoland. And yet... somehow, we did it.

Not only did we somehow raise more money for the Immune Deficiency Foundation — over $1 million again — but this time, it felt like we had a bigger team spirit. Not only did we have legendary guests like Garnt, Felix, and Rob, but we also had Pete doing Pete things, and Ironmouse joining daily to raise our spirits. It never felt like just the two of us. It really did feel like a crew.

As for the route itself, gone was the epic urban grind through Hiroshima, Osaka" and Nara and more of an adventure across the literal edge of Japan starting in Nemuro. We pedalled through Hokkaido’s snow lined streets, into springtime Tohoku, and finished in the summer heat of Tokyo. Minus two degrees to plus twenty in two weeks. It felt like we cycled through the seasons, not just the country.

Physically, it was brutal. But here's the good news: unlike Cyclethon 3, where I somehow managed to gain weight (carb loading got taken too far, I can't deny), this time I dropped from 92kg to 88kg. Four kilograms down. Still a long way to go but it's an encouraging start!

And weirdly, despite doing absolutely no training — I hadn’t touched a bike since the last Cyclethon — muscle memory kicked in. My body seemed to go, “Oh yeah. This again,” and got on with it.

At the end of the day, that’s the real takeaway for me: I’m 35 now. Time to take health seriously. This Cyclethon, as ridiculous as it was, might just be the thing that kickstarts a long-overdue fitness regime.

Massive thanks to everyone who supported us — whether you donated, watched, commented, or screamed at us to eat more bananas every morning. The Van Gang were amazing, the guests were top-tier, and you guys made it all worthwhile.

Now it’s back to real life. Videos, book writing, and plotting the next absurd thing to put our bodies through. I’m already thinking about what comes next, especially in the absence of a big project like Journey Across Japan. It's time we conjured up a new series.

For now guys, hope your May’s off to a great start!
Looking forward to sharing some new and exciting videos/projects with you shortly.
— Chris

P.S. There's a highlight reel on Instagram I made called Cyclethon 4. Halfway through there's an awesome little video of Ian folding clothes in a rather cinematic looking laundromat. I bloody love it. He really is the unsung hero of all Cyclethons! He never gets all the praise he deserves!