What is my motivation?

The realisation hit me this weekend that unless I can find someone to join me in attempting the 2013 Etape, then I'll be training on my own throughout the winter. That'll require a fair bit of motivation - 5 hours in the saddle on cold, wet winter weekends with no-one to hear my insightful social commentary. I may go mad...

Tour de France and Etape routes are disclosed on Wednesday. There's a fair few rumours about the route, but words such as Ventoux, Alpe d'Huez and Tourmalet are being whispered with reverential tones.