Today was a good day. After the rest day, I actually felt rested. It was an 88 mile day with some climbing but nothing really tough. That and we had a slight tailwind for the morning up until lunch. So it was nice sailing with the legs feeling good. We road through desert scenery with the Nile a couple of miles off to our left. You could see in the distance a line of green to denote it.
After the lunch stop the wind had shifted and we were getting it now in the face. But my legs were strong and I was eating up the kilometers at 27 kph. Not bad for into the wind. We had a coke stop about 30k after lunch in a small village. By then it was really heating up. Once that sun starts climbing the temp takes off. We were the talk of the village. People came from all around to see these crazy people on a bike. We cycled on for another 20k to another coke stop. Here is a picture of one of the patrons who drank some tea and then laid down for a mid day nap.
Several of the riders did a quick stop and took off. We had been making such good time we decided to rest in the shade as it already was 94 degrees in the shade. HOT! I drank a couple of bottles of water that I bought at the shop. I am hoping I did not make a mistake. The second bottle the guy got out of a cooler on the side and said these colder. I did not think anything about it until later. Later on I saw him refilling water bottles from the hose and putting them in the cooler. Hope I don't get sick.
Along the route we saw a camel trading market. It had a corral with many camels. That explained the littering along the road of camel carcasses rotting in the sun. They used this route to drive their camels to market. As a matter of fact the desert camp we are staying at is nick named dead camel camp because right in the middle of camp is the .... petrified remains of a camel.
Dead camel camp
It is almost 8 o'clock now and it is still 85 degrees in my tent. Thank god I brought the little fan with me.
We have three more riding days to get to Khartoum. An 89 mile day, a 90 mile day and then a 55 mile day.
The 89,90,and 55 average to 78. Not real close to 70, but closer. It seems life is hard in Africa even for Camels. I'm glad you have a fan at least. If I were doing it I would be late getting in each night. Your average speeds are a good bit better than mine.
ReplyDeleteRay Van Ostran
Michael,
ReplyDeletemore people than you could ever know are following you. I talked to mom today, and Roy, and Lester and Mike who all meet for coffee every morning in Phoenix are talking about your adventures.
Beverly helps mom keep up with your travels when she comes over to visit mom and roy. Thank goodness for Bev because she helps mom pull your blog up on the ipad.
We all love you and be safe and stay safe !
Luv, your sister Pam
Hi Mike,
ReplyDeleteThanks much for the preview of coming attractions: "The Road to Khartoum", sounds like a Bob Hope-Hedy Lamar movie title--should be quite a trip! And Khartoum evokes an image of Chevy Chase wearing a turbin in the "Spies Like Us " movie. This saga keeps getting even more interesting! Great job on the journalism. It might make you feel a little cooler to know that New England is being blasted by a blizzard as I write this. Also, have you tried any evaporative cooling techniques? Maybe applying a wet towel or rag. Keep having fun.
Bob and Linda
I guess bottled water isn't filtered bottled water, huh? We are so lucky at times to have everything we have here but yet at the same time when you stop to think about how much we pamper ourselves with bottled water and hand sanitizer you kind of have to wonder if we are hurting or helping ourselves, right? I mean, hell, these people drink water out of the river and survive so you have to wonder who has the stronger immune system.
ReplyDeleteI hope you don't ever get sick on this trip. Ugh! I will keep my fingers crossed.
My Mom, Jeff, a friend of mine and a few other people I know all like to talk about your trip as we read your blog. You keep us entertained. My mom always asks, 'Did you read Mike's blog today?"
Be Safe and know we all continue to follow your progress......daily! Pam North
Hi Mike,
ReplyDeleteYour journal is delightful. Stay safe and cool. I agree with the other comment to not stray from the group. Enjoy.
Lora C2C