Today was hot hot hot. I think this afternoon the thermometer was close to 40 C.
HOT. Luckily we only had 109 km to do, which I have now gotten down to under 4 hours which is nice. We are in Dongola Sudan (look at a map) it is right in the Nubian Desert of Northern Sudan. As we started our ride we had a bunch of people riding together. Riding in the front we got a little worried about the number of riders that had attached to our paceline. During a rider shift, one riders tires bumped another, taking five riders down hard at close to 30km an hour. YIKES. The sound of bikes crashing together and bikes and riders hitting the pavement sounded aweful. After some quick road rash triage, it was discovered the bikes and riders were bloody but okay. Thank goodness. A lesson learned for all in being way more careful riding together. The last few days of 150km followed by 150km followed by 109km are taking there toll, everyone is stoked for the day off in Dongola. It will be errands for most of us, for me changing out my second Schwalbe tire with a warranty defect so it doesn't send me to a day of riding in the truck, laundry dries fast when it is 40C out, and our shower, long saught after is a hose in the middle of the Dongola Zoo where we have set up camp. We felt a little like we were in a zoo as a group of about 10 men peered over the walls of the zoo as the "white women" shed their clothes down to their swimsuits and undies to shower under the hose. For most it was really roughing it, I loved it! Best shower in awhile. Lovely. Sudan and the Nubian desert have a special little place in my heart. Only 14 days in, two weeks. Cairo seems a million miles away at this point. We are all into a good schedule, Waking before 6am and Race start at 8am. Lunch by 10am and when we are lucky, into camp by 1pm or 2 at the latest. Keep posting comments and sending emails and comments...it really helps with motivation...and remember http://www.suncatchersproject.com/ . Please make a donation in honor of my ride. Thank you! Time for bed.
Hey Steph
ReplyDeleteI've been following along with your blog and your riding-what an amazing journey-a dream of mine! as i regularily take my own bike travelling these days. and i really admire the suncatchers project-a wonderful idea and i'll be donating in honor of your great ride! keep pedaling and i'll be anxious to hear more!
take care
jenn glover
Hi Steph, What an amazing journey we have been following you since your radio interview. I complain after 109 klms in the car, We will definitely be following along with your blog and are in awe of your accomplishments, Fantastic. Richard of course loving hearing about his continent. We will certainly be donating to suncatchers in your honour.
ReplyDeleteLove and keep well, shirley and richard parker
sleen dogg- you fucking rock!!!!! your writing is hilarious and it tickles me to think that your mornings are dictated my more of a morning freak then i am !!! now you won't curse my early morning antics anymore- cheers to the captin.
ReplyDeleteyou are not missing much in north america- the US government politics continue to be a laugh in the face of any human that thinks we should be governend by those who look after all citizens and not just their own self interests, the current storms are making it pretty impossible for americans to continue denying that the climate is changing- but my mom is happy because she thinks that the weather gods are retaliating against the government and trying to bury them all in snow, and bla bla bla i dont really know anything about canada but cant imagine it is all that different to the US (hehehe). as you ride across the desert in blazing heat and sand i ride with snow studs on in ice and snow and get to stop after 6 miles. which pretty much tells us one thing- you are far crazier then me or anyone else i know. love you. be safe. ride hard. enjoy the tea and tent time.