When was the last time you dreamed? I don't mean in your sleep, I mean a real wide-awake, "what-if" or "if-only" kind of dream.

In fact, that's probably how you define the difference between being an adult and being a child. A child will dream, and believe that anything is possible. An adult will dream, then instantly dismiss it because they see all the pitfalls in achieving it.

So, then, let me ask you this. Is your childhood the happiest time of your life because childhood really is the happiest time of your life? Or is it just possible that your childhood is the happiest time of your life because you dared to dream? More importantly, you dared to dream and you dared to dream that it might be possible?

When I was a kid, I wanted to be an astronaut. At the time of writing, I've never been to the moon but NASA sent John Glenn up and he was 77. There's still hope. Little 2-stroke moon rocket, and we'll pop a wheelie right in the middle of the Sea of Tranquility.

So we dream. We look at the entry list for Dawn to Dusk this weekend, and we dream. We are team number 370. There are 28 other teams in our class. My ITM has bagged laps 3, 6, 9 etc. Martin and I discussed the other laps.

The team tactics are that I take lap 1 - I am the fastest runner and you need to run to your bike. I will be first into the first corner and, to quote Martin, "after that point, whoever is behind you stays behind you". Maybe, between Martin's ageing wiliness and my ability run quick, maybe the little PR3 will be able to fend off the Dawn to Dusk pack.

So, the dream is that maybe we'll win Dawn to Dusk. Maybe, just maybe. Maybe we can fend off the challenge of 28 other teams. Maybe we want it more than they do. Maybe we're more committed. Maybe we just dream that it might be possible.

My ITM thinks we're insane for even daring to dream this - he is firmly rooted in reality. But anything could happen. Should we be entering a race thinking that we won't win it? Or should we enter the race thinking that we have a chance?

Some fantastic fedback arrived in the inbox today forwarded by Martin - thanks to Julian and Charlie - which I will share with you (mostly because I am so proud):

I came down a few weeks ago for the off-road day. We enjoyed it so much, we would like to do it again before the Africa trip. There are five of us who would like to come along, preferably with the same instructor (I think his name was John, the mad Scot).

...

Just a quick note to say thanks to you and especially John for an excellent day on Saturday.
What a great instructor John is, I really felt I could tackle anything by the end of the day.

If all that I have done is made people a bit more confident on their bikes in Africa, then my life is not a waste. A year ago, I couldn't even get down the hill at Midwest. Martin bullied and forced me to go down hill after hill until I just hated it and wasn't afraid anymore. I have Martin to thank. Thank you Martin.

If we do not win Dawn to Dusk, then it will not be because we did not try. I am proud and honoured that my ITM and Martin have enough faith in my skills as a rider that they are willing to invite me into their team. I have never, ever, been part of a team in my life. This is a first, and I am proud to be part of a team with such mighty people.

We have 28 teams to beat. We get to the first corner first, and then everybody stays behind. We are three very capable riders, and we have a chance of winning this. We are Team AJP. We are a Scotsman, and Englishman and and Irishman. We are not afraid, even though we are. We will do the best that we can, and push ourselves to bests that we did not know we had.

Imagine that Martin could claim that an AJP won Dawn to Dusk. Imagine that, when I am teaching people, I could tell them that I won Dawn to Dusk. Imagine what it would do for my own self-worth if I won Dawn to Dusk. Imagine how I could look Martin in the eye and tell him that "your powers are weak Old Man". Imagine how elated my ITM would be to have won Dawn to Dusk.

OK, OK. Imagine the bragging rights:

"How did you get on at the toughest race in the UK?"

"Oh, we won".

I am absolutely shitting myself for Sunday, as is Martin and my ITM. But we are a team and we will absolutely do the best that we can do. If we do not win, it will be because there were others better than us and no other reason.

We start the race thinking we can win it. We finish the race either having won it or not. But valour, courage and character will be the mark of the day. I am riding with Martin and my ITM as part of a team and, in their mighty company, there is no possible outcome other than winning.

Dare to dream. Maybe, just maybe ...

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