Today was the hardest day I have ever spent on a bike. I really mean it. It was so hot and we rode into a headwind that was 20+ mph. We rode 88 kilometers which is about 55 miles. When I first saw the length of today's ride on the board last night my thought was, great a short day to get used to the off road. Oh was I wrong. It took me just at 8 hours to go 88k. I rode between 8 & 16 kph (5 & 10 mph). The wind and the road (I am being very kind calling what we were on a road) just took all of the speed potential out but required huge amounts of energy just to keep going.
I know many of my coast to coast riding buddies will say... couldn't be worse than the times we rode in west Texas with the headwinds. I will answer that by saying take west Texas temperatures up 30 to 40 degrees, take the road out and replace it with dirt, loose gravel and a corrugated surface like a washboard and you have my ride today. We were riding in 120 degree heat again. It is now 7 pm and still above 100 degrees. OUCH!
But the ride route was great. I thought that we have been out in the middle of nowhere on the roads we have been riding. But today gave a new meaning to nowhere. The loose gravel dirt roads took us to places that time has forgotten. We road thru villages with thatched roof huts with mud walls and market squares where you could film period pieces from 1800 early English colonial days. When we would ride into a village within a minute or two we were thronged with people. Everyone would come to see the foreigners who road in from nowhere. They wanted to get a picture with us to share with the others. We could not stay long because we were so mobbed.
Africa is a very hard place. It is unforgiving and cruel. I do not know how these people make a living or an existence out here. Each day of their lives is a struggle for survival. Someone said the life expectancy here is early 40's.
This dirt road has taken us out to areas that give definition to the term in the middle of nowhere. I have seen it and it is tough.
This is the road thru a small village.
This is the dominant made of transportation. You do not see bikes as a mode because the roads are tough to walk let alone try to ride.
This is one of the riders I was riding with as he was trying to get out of the throng to get going.
This is a village. It is on the railroad line. But the railroad stopped running a very long time ago.
Unbelievable, I can't even believe you were riding your bike on that "road". Stay safe
ReplyDeletePam
Mike,
ReplyDeleteOne of the many things to love about Africa - the simplicity, the toughness. Someone once said about Africa, "It's Raw and Primitive. It doesn't tolerate fools or forgives mistakes." I often think of that line when I think of Africa.
Sounds like your day was horrendously hot & miserable but yet rewarding when you think back on it. You brought a little bit of excitement and wonder to people's lives that normally don't get that from the outside world. Job Well Done!
Thanks for the pics. Loved Them!
Best, Pam North
Good work Mike. I would like to say that soon the worst will be behind you but I would probably be proved wrong. Hang in there. You are showing great fortitude. Scott & Debra.
ReplyDeleteTexas was tough, but when you add 40 degrees and roads worse than the one to the Center of the World, then you begin to wonder.
ReplyDeleteHere in America we talk about life being tough, but it is nothing like the third world countries. Mexico might be a more comfortable life when compared to some parts of Africa.
I still wish I was with you, but I'm beginning to have my doubts. I''m so slow that I would miss every dinner. I think my recumbent would hold together, but it is so heavy.
Good luck.
Ray Van Ostran