Le Tour de Chaos

Some days I wonder why I can’t just sit still.

When I was 21 I planned the most action packed Europe trip I could.

Music festival. Running of the bulls. The Ashes. Le Tour de France.

If it was big, then I wanted to be there.

One mate looked at my plans and said:

‘Why don’t you just chill on a beach?’

And for a moment… I wondered if I should.”

I don’t mind a beach day.

But what I really crave… is a story.

Being right in the thick of it when the moment happens.

I can’t remember exactly when, but at some point I stopped apologising for it.

Tbh I think turning 30 and going to therapy really helped me to embrace ‘Be More Reuben’.

So now one of my rules is: ‘be there for the big moments’.

Which is why yesterday we woke up at 5am, drove to the Pyrenees, walked 14km up an 8% mountain… just to see Tadej Pogacar flash past in 3 seconds.

And it was worth every one of the 42,000 steps and 16-hour round trip.

We cheered riders, danced with locals, met Cadel Evans at the summit, welcomed the mixed reviews of Hawthorn kits, and got home sunburnt, sore, and fully ALIVE.

So if you’ve ever felt weird for wanting more out of your trips (or life!),

A bit of chaos and something to write home about,

You’re not alone.

Maybe you’re not restless.

Maybe you’re just wired for moments like this.