39 Days..... and counting

it is down to 39 days until departure.  Everything is coming together.  I just received my hand built wheels for the bike.  The previous wheels I was going to use were stolen from the basement of the building.  So planB had to be put in place.  They are very sturdy and should hold up well to the varied and uncertain conditions that I will encounter over the trip.  I am going to be scheduling the bike fitting to get the bike setup for the 7,500 miles of pure pleasure that I will be experiencing.

I have to return the solar charger from REI as it is defective.  I also had to return the tent to REI as it was defective as well.  Better to find these out before than during...  😳

I have gotten my first and second round of vacination shots and looking forward (not really) to the final round next week.  My arm feels like a pin cushion, very soar from being stuck so many times (5 shots each time)!

I have been reading about the trip and the adventure.  It says the highest climb in one day is going to be over 8,000 feet.  8,000 FEET!!!  Holy quacamole!  That is a lot of climbing.  Glad I will have an 11-34 cassette with a 30 front chain ring.  As my daughter says when I start talking bicycle....  she only hears wawawawawa when I use bike terms.  

39 to go....   So close now!

49 Days to go!!!

Wow, down to 49 days until D day.  Just think 49 days from now I will be boarding a flight to Cairo.  The flight will be an ordeal.  I fly on Emirate airlines connecting through Amman Jordan and get into Cairo at 8:00 at night.  Travel time is just under 20 hours.  

Once in Egypt, I will have a couple of days to shake off the jet lag and explore the Pyramids and Sphinx before the actual kickoff of the biking on January 9th.  It is becoming very real! 

The Route

This is the route that the trip will be taking through Africa....

     Through the countries of:  Eygpt, Sudan, Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia, Botswana, Namibia, South Africa

African adventure food and water choices... Ho boy!

For those of you who know my epicurean tastes, I thought I would share what the tour leader sent out as a description of what our meals will be like.....

"Some highlights:

• Egyptian Falafels, Tuna and caper pizzas, Fresh fried anchovies, Crispy fried onions and veggies,
• Sudanese fresh breads, Spicy fish sandwiches, a yummy bean dish named foul (pronounced as Mr.T says “what you talking about FOOL!”)
• Ethiopian Injera; a tasty, fermented flat bread topped with delicious curried lentils, Berbere spiced lamb or goat, kitfo (Ethiopian steak tartar - not for the faint of stomach!) and other novelties.
• Kenya presents a great chance to experience a rich history of Indian cuisine. Curries and delicious chapattis await. Also Ugali (cornmeal paste) and lots of roasted goat
• Tanzanian fried chicken, mmmm.
• Fresh fish from Lake Malawi, lots more corn
• Game meats in Windhoek, Namibia. Kudu shank braised to perfection.
• South African biltong - the world's finest jerky, boerewors - perhaps the world’s finest sausage, and seafood, steaks, organic veggies, and wine galore.

• Braised beef stew with butternut squash and green beans
• Beet salad, Tomato and cucumber salad
• Barbecued chicken with potato salad, and veggies
• Spaghetti bolognese  (Ha!  Finally something I can eat!)
• Fresh fruits and energy drink

• Creole spiced sausage and okra with rice
• Curried goat stew and vegetables with chapattis.
• Soy and bean equivalents for vegetarians.

And for lunches:

• Tuna fish sandwiches
• Avocado, onion, tomato sandwiches
• Peanut butter and jam sandwiches. (Looks like I will be living on PB&J sandwiches)
• Fresh fruits and energy drink

I do believe that this will be an opportunity to either drop a couple of ten pounds or delve into a new area of culinary delight!  Like on my last trip, I just have to keep telling myself....  it is fuel, necessary to keep the engine going.  Partake and intake and then shut up and keep pedaling!  :)

And a note on the water front because after all I will be pedaling through the Sahara and the Namibian desert.....

"During the TDA we will go through stretches where water becomes our most precious resource. Typically these areas are in The Sudan, Ethiopia, Northern Kenya, Botswana and Namibia. However it can happen at any time of extreme heat. There should never be a shortage of drinking water. However, where water resources are limited, rations on using water for cleaning oneself (in bush camps) will take effect. At times this can mean that everyone is allowed 1 water bottle full to rinse themselves off. Other times we will need to keep all of our water for drinking and cooking, and so no water will be allocated for washing."  (Baby wipes, my new best friend!)

You just have to think...  It's all part of the adventure experience!  Wow, can't wait.

51 days left to departure!