Tailwinds and Tarmac
We are currently enjoying ourselves in the small beachside town of Safaga where aided by a big tailwind, the riders made the most of their short day today(110km) and are now enjoying an afternoon of sun, sea, food and internet cafes. The bikes and lycra have been put away to be replaced by flip flops and shorts and many have enjoyed the chance to have a hot shower.
We are on Day 4 of our journey south and since leaving Cairo on the 13th January in freezing temperatures we have been blessed with beautiful sunny conditions, views of the Red Sea and rugged mountainous terrain. We managed to cope nicely with the big second day of 170km and since then everyone had been on a roll with the sprinters amongst the group enjoying the tailwinds and tarmac between each desert camp. (as well as dodging fast moving cars, buses and trucks who seem to get excited at the sight of about 40 bikes cruising up the highway)
Yesterday we camped by the ocean and most people made the most of an early finish to take a swim, relax and enjoy the beach. The wind picked up in the afternoon and from that point on people spent the rest of the evening either putting more and more rocks around their tents to hold them down or chasing their tents as they blew away. (or should I say catapulted away) The Emeco Travel boys have been brilliant in feeding us each day and entertaining us with their cheeky arabic words and actions as well as treating anyone who travles with them in the bus to egtptian dance music.(an experience to say the least) I don't believe that anyone had gone hungry yet and each days meal gives us a great balance between arabic and western food - so delicious.
They have been trying to teach us arabic words but we are a bit skeptical as to what type of words they are given the reaction of others that we have practised on. So, we are heading south towards the bottom of Egypt in the next week, we are discovering our biking legs and our faces are taking on a more sun kissed look, compliments of the African sun.
The bikes are being checked over, gear sorted and washed, scrapes and cuts cleaned up and the guide book checked over for what is coming next. It is an exciting journey ahead and 3 days in, you can only wonder what the next few months will hold. (not too many punctures, crashes or bent frames we hope!) I don't think there can be a better way to travel than on a bike!
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Posted January 16, 2007 by Field Writer
Egypt | Tour Updates |
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