Day 29 - Bus Ride Rest Day (from Border to Khartoum)

Waiting for the bus, that's us! -

Friday: Sudan/Ethiopia Border to Khartoum  (8 hr bus ride)

06:00 - Up early, packed up the tent and our holiday bags (no cycling for the next 8 days). Had a cup of coffee and a breakfast, all this while it was still relatively dark. Then walked with our bikes to the bus waiting for us, at the main road. If the bus won't come to us, then we don't have much option, but to walk to the bus with our bikes.

Loaded bags onto bus, then of course not a major surprise, but  there was no space for our bikes, so we left them on the side of the road,  with Leo the Bike Mechanic in charge.

Bus Company supposed to be sending another Bus/Truck to fetch and transport them to Khartoum for us? I suppose time will tell if they get there before dark.

Took a luxury bus back to Khartoum, very spacey and ultra modern, even got to watch the movie - Fast and Furious 5 nogal - on the on-board tv screen. First time I have sat in front of a T.V screen in nearly 4 weeks.

The bikes can't fit into the bus...

All ready to go back to Khartoum!

Happiness is a luxury bus load of cyclists :)

Arrived at the Grand Hotel Villa, found ourselves a pleasant camp spot on the lawn and pitched the tent. Decided to camp instead of hotel-ing like we did last time. We need only sleep over for one night, and we found the hotel very over-priced the last time we were here. We also have 6 days in Nairobi coming up, and need to conserve our funds. 

Took a proper shower for the first time in 7-days (going to miss those donkey washes for a while). A most pleasant experience, having the luxury of hot and cold water at your beckoning.

In the evening, 12 of us went off and walked to the Mall, then had dinner at Layali Al Waha Restaurant just located outside the Mall. It was a most pleasant dinning experience, and all agreed the food had been great.

Then into the Mall, for some of their famous ice cream (Judith had 3 and I had 5 scoops). We followed this up with a very casual cappuccino, lounging around in the Coffee Shop. 

Group of us then took a taxi back to the Hotel, to find our bikes waiting patiently for us on the grass camping area. A most pleasant night out in Khartoum.

Cheers, 
Mike T

Thirst-Quenching Lemon and Mint drink

One of Khartoum's many statues

A group of us out having dinner at the Mall

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Day 26 - Stage 22 - Camel Camp to Abeda Village (96 km)

Tuesady: When TDA Management say it's going to be a hot day for riding, you have to believe them, its going to be a hot hot day! Highest recorded temperature was 47 degrees Celsius - and it took its toll on the riders.



After yesterday's heat and dehydration, I made the mistake of over-hydrating. Including what I drank at breakfast, by the time I got to the lunch truck at the 52 km mark, I must of drunk at least 5-liters of fluid. 

I felt so nauseous I could only eat watermelon at lunch, and decided discretion was the better part of valor, and climbed into the lunch truck. Judith also climbed into lunch truck as she had been struggling in the heat as well.

Rode in the truck to the intermediate Refreshment Station, a new addition by TDA Management to the days riding strategy, brought on by the hot riding conditions.

Collected riders along the route as we went towards camp, they wisely abandoned due to the hot conditions. However congratulations and respect go out to all those riders who completed the day. 

There were a few that finished with heat exhaustion, and one serious case bordering on heat stroke (fortunately quickly treated by our very able Dr. Helen). 

On arrival at Camp, we took another Donkey wash each, waited under the shade of the vehicle awnings, while we drank a relatively cold soft drink or two, supplied by some young enterprising local and waited for the riders' briefing and dinner.

Once again, Judith and I didn't erect our tent until the sun went down, as it was just too hot to do so.

I sat around with Muzz and Andje discussing the day's ride, before going off to sleep, after a day which most of the riders agreed, had been their toughest days riding.

Cheers,
Mike T

Line up for breakfast 

Chilled breakfast before the fun began

The morning's sunrise

Tractor Taxi

Donkey Taxi

When Michael comes through the Village all the ladies come out to greet him

Another Tractor Taxi

Out on the corrugations...

Phillip in full flight

The village kids always enjoy watching the cyclists passing by

Heat exhaustion is not a pretty picture

Deborah experiencing another puncture!!

Railway Station but no more railway line!

The Great British Railway is all and gone

Goat Crossing....

First Bridgette took advantage of a shady lunch stop

Then Anmei took advantage of it

Judith enjoying the watermelon

The enterprising ladies in the lunch truck

A welcome Coke Stop 

Today's heat called for the establishment of an intermediate Refreshment Station

British Lorry Power

Waiting for the lunch truck to cross the donga (ditch)

Hooray here comes the lunch truck through the donga!

Sheltering from the heat

Cyclists arriving at Camp

Welcome to Camp!

Andrew and Linda resting up after a hard days cycling.
Andrew having joined the Sudan Tattoo Club today.

Not only do the kids take the orange tape but its become very fashionable with the adults

Wendy and Paul Farrow come arrive after a very tough days ride

Niklas making sure he keeps clean and healthy 

True love is sharing your donkey wash

Briefing - Tomorrow's ride

Charles the winner of today's very difficult stage

Bikes are also useful for hanging up your washing

Liz multi-skilling having dinner and soaking her feet 

Philip negotiating for his daily donkey wash

Sunset after a very hot and difficult day

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Hello from Judith - Day 22, Khartoum

Day 21 - Sunrise Breakfast!

Friday: Hello everyone,

I am also enjoying Michael's blog! Our trip thus far has been interesting to say the least, but I'm looking forward to the change in climate and desert-scapes as we progress further South.

I am a big fan of the Tailwind and don't mind the odd gentle Crosswind, although the gusting ones that throw sand in your face and give you some free exfoliation are not popular!  

Head butting a Headwind is a real problem for me too, so the Irish wish of "may the wind always be at your back" has a very special place in my heart right now!  

Michael has the patience of a saint - riding mostly at my pace - which I hope will continue to improve!

Laundry mostly happens on rest days. Where there are laundry services available by local ladies or hotels, we use them!  Socks, buffs, hankies, bandannas and underwear are washed in the shower when and where possible.

Our daily meals have been fairly healthy and plentiful (whew, but some of the 20 - 30 something age group can put away several plates at a time! But then they are racing and covering the distances in half my time!).

We are touring with a great crew and an amazing and interesting bunch of cyclists - so there is always someone chat to you and lots of group dynamics to observe. 

And so our adventure continues... we hope everyone in RSA & DRC keeps well and continues to stay in touch and in good health.

- Judith

Day16 - Stage 14 - Nile Ferry Camp to Dongola (116 km)

Saturday: Nile Ferry Camp to Dongola (116 km)

We slept much better last night, Judith had pitched the tent behind a mud wall, which had screened the tent from the incessant wind (we are also getting used to the noise of a flapping tent).

Today's ride was all about wind, wind and more wind. Started riding with a potent tail wind from the north, which assisted our average speed and made the undulating road feel relatively flat. However, when we either turned East or West, there were times where it became a roaring, dust bearing, sand storm, which obliterated the view of the rider in front of you. Fortunately, we only had one instance (near the end of the ride) where we turned into a direct headwind, which caused you to cycle at a snail pace.

Assistant Chef Muli organising the mornings boiled eggs (Between the boiled eggs and beans I am getting plenty of turbo boost on the bike)

The local tea & coffee maker preparing our brews

Henne enjoying the morning sunrise

After leaving Camp, we stopped at the 20km mark for tea & coffee at a Truck Stop (Sudanese version of a 1-Stop Shop). We think no other riders stopped there, since it was so early in the ride, but we had decided to tour today, and enjoy the ride (did buy tea for Helen, today's first-half sweep rider who was forced to stop with us).

Judith spots her first Nile Crocodile  (Don't ask why its up there, its only on a need to know basis, and we don't need to know)

Michael & Judith enjoying their morning tea & coffee at the Sudanese 1-Stop Shop

Taking a short rest

When we got to the Lunch Truck, it was deserted, none of the usual riders were there, due to the fact that all concerned wanted to get to Dongola as quick as possible, since tomorrow was a rest day.

We stopped at a Coke Stop at 90km for ablutions and soft drinks accompanied by Gupaul, Andy and sweep rider Max, before completing the remaining 25km.

Arriving at today's lunch stop

Lunch Truck deserted of riders only T D A Management in attendance

Stopping at the Coke Stop

Judith making new friends and modeling her new pink cycling gear with the locals

Gupaul, Andy and sweep rider Max enjoying the rest & recuperation 

Crossed over the Nile River (it is still very impressive) arrived in Dongola and were immediately swamped by the Traffic, consisting mainly of Tuk-Tuk's, it was  organised chaos! Judith even had to try and out cycle a large dog which some idiot had set on her! "Who let the dogs out, woof, woof-woof!".

Arrived at the finish which is situated at a type of Luna Park, where some of the riders were already  camping in the Fairground. We hailed a Tuk-Tuk (one each because we had both our daily and permanent bags with us) and went to The Palace Hotel. Supposed to be Dongola's finest, but it leaves much to be desired. But at least the water is hot, there is power to charge the electronics and there is a bed.

After booking in, Andy and I hailed a Tuk-Tuk and went to the nearest "Super-market"  and bought soft drinks, crisps, chocolate and biscuits. Back at the Hotel I proceeded to binge on the sugar rich treats, life is great!

Crossing the Nile River Bridge into Dongola

Welcome to Dongola!

TDA Staff setting up the kitchen facilities

Fairground attraction - with our bikes chained to the railings

Off on a Tuk-Tuk to the Palace Hotel!

View from our balcony at the Palace Hotel

In the evening, six of us took two Tuk-Tuk's and went out to a local Sudanese Eating House for dinner. Half a chicken, with rice & local bread each, followed by Sudanese pastries and sweet spearmint tea. The quality of the food was great, which was later  confirmed when the complete TDA Crew arrived for dinner as well (they always know where the best meals are to be had).

We still rode 115km today, so it was early to bed, with no thoughts of going out clubbing in bustling Dongola ;)

Cheers, 

Mike T

Eating at a local Eating House with Nelson, Philip, Judith, Andy & Mark

Sudanese pastries to Judith's delight

Had my first beer in Sudan  (0 % alcohol)

Internet Surfers Henne, Paul back at the Hotel

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