Stage 5: Safaga to Desert Camp

The Sun Rising over the Red Sea

Tuesday: We packed up the tent without much hassle; watched a fantastic sunrise over the Red Sea, had our first meal, and we even had Strawberries at breakfast! What more could one ask for, all before 6.30 in the morning?

The day's notice board, and strawberries at breakfast.

Early Morning Bike Park.

We left Safaga and cycled up into a head wind and our first day of climbing. It was quite a strenuous day of cycling, with long uphills into the mountains, and the day soon warmed up!

We even have a Fire Engine accompanying us (when you're hot, you're hot).

The mountains look similar to those in parts of Namibia.

"It's a long and winding road, which leaves you with no return."

Judith did not have a good ride, and we were last to arrive at the the Lunch Truck, with most of the other riders having had lunch and out on the second leg already.

I had stayed with her the whole of the first leg, she was buggered, but I wasn't so far away from being blown myself.

With a further 70 km to go, and without a faster rider available to use, to draught behind, to complete the second half (as I had done on Stage 1) I couldn't see my self finishing the stage, so discretion being the better part of valor, I lost my EFI status and climbed into the truck with Judith.

We trucked to our next camp, and camped at the Police Camp, our first real desert camping. Tent went up and after dinner we had an early nights sleep, in bed by 7.30pm. It had been a very tough day for the both of us.

Tented Camp in the Desert next to an Egyptian Police outpost.

Fortunately Tom from Minneapolis, gave a group of the riders an intense yoga session, which Judith attended, after which she was more relaxed about the days cycling and how things had developed. 

Tom, taking some of the cyclists for a Yoga session in the desert.

Group Briefing before Stage 6 tomorrow.

After a tough day cycling, Leo the Bike Mechanic helping Kyle change his setup.

In the evening, had my first "bos kak" with shovel in hand (BTW the shovel's name is "Doug") and I am sure Dough and I are going to get quite attached to each other as the tour progresses. 

Brad (one of the Crew) had a exciting experience to say the least. He went out into the dead of the night with "Doug" and he had his headlamp on with the red light (so as not to disturb anyone who was sleeping) only to be surrounded by four policemen with AK47's drawn, who demanded to know who he was!?

All in all, It was a tough day on the Tour for the two of us, but at least no one died.

Cheers,
Mike T

Me with my best girl by my side.

Sunset over the Desert Camp.

Stage 4: El Gouna to Safaga (82km) - A Relatively Easy Day

Monday: Today was the shortest distance of the tour so far, and there were no complaints coming from us at all. After the last three days, it was a welcome respite and greatly appreciated.

We treated the ride to the Lunch Truck, parked at 70km, as we would on any other day, but once there, we  knew we could have a leisurely lunch, as it was only 12km to the finish point

Some of the riders speeding towards lunch

The Lunch Truck, at 12km to go.

After lunch we took a sedate ride into Safaga, arriving there just ahead of the Sweep Rider,  where we met up with the rest of the Group, at our camp site which was situated on the beach, right next to the Red Sea.

It was the first of the many camping experiences which still await us, and we were all in agreement that it was a very picturesque site. The Tour organizers had also rented out two rooms at a nearby hotel, which the riders could use to shower in.

Tents on the beach. The Red Sea in the background.

The 'Bike Park'.

Between Judith and I, we managed to pitch our tent, and still remain husband and wife (the time spent practicing our tent erecting skills prior to the tour, had definitely been worth it).

Our tent...

Of course, even such a short ride deserved to be celebrated by a beer, so I joined up with those who are similarly inclined for a 'recovery drink'. After recovering, I took myself off to the Red Sea for a long swim in the relatively warm waters. 

The recovery drink committee. .

Tallis our Tour Leader.

After the evenings briefing by Tallis our Tour Leader, we were treated to another great supper by the Catering Crew. But it was a supper with a difference, Team Treloar were on wash-up duty accompanied by Bridget who hails from Tasmania. So after everyone had eaten, we got to clean the pots and pans.

Tomorrow, we can expect some hills as we will be climbing approximately 1'025 m over the 142km route.

Cheers,
Mike T

Wash-up duty!

Tomorrow's Stage 5 Outline on our trusty Notice Board.

Stage 3: Ras Ghareb to El Gouna (138km)

Sunday: The 138 km ride from Ras Gareb to El Gouna went well, mainly due to the Mother of all Tail Winds! 

There were times when Judith and I were cruising at 40km per hour on the flats, and it seemed totally unreal. Our average speed for the day was 24 km/hr. It would of been much higher,  but we changed direction and had to fight the same glorious wind as a heavy head wind for the last 10km. 

We finished Breakfast at approximately 6.30am, and due to our amazing cycling abilities  (with a little help from the wind) we were at the Lunch Truck situated at the 70km mark by at least 9.30am, where we had a full on lunch (and we were staving).

Our accommodation at the Arena Inn Hotel was top class, and due to our early arrival, much time was spent at the poolside bar by a few of us more social riders.

However, it will be the last of our luxurious stays for quite a while, our next stay-over will be camping on the beach at Safaga.

Cheers, 

Mike T

Breakfast at Ras Ghareb

Lunch Stop!

On the road again...

'Afternoondowners' at the Arena  Inn pool area

Stage 2: Fanar Du Luna to Ras Ghareb (129km)

Saturday: Today was a normal start, and after having breakfast, and a morning Briefing, we left  Fanar Du Luna at 6.30am. (See the stage notes on the Notice Board pic further down)

We were one of the first riders to start (you can leave when you are ready to go) because of our relatively slow pace. But even though most of the other riders eventually passed us, we had a good ride along the Red Sea most of the time, to the Lunch Truck at the 72km mark.

Cycling along the Red Sea

Our Stage 2 Notice Board

The Lunch Truck at 72km mark.

Some of the Riders having lunch

The second half went just as well as the first, and we managed to keep up a relatively high pace, we even had time to stop for a "coke stop". We arrived  at the Amir Palace Hotel in Ras Ghareb with plenty of time to spare. 

 Coke-Stop time.

Judith and I averaged a cycling speed of 24km/hr for the Stage 2 distance of 129km. Congratulations go out to her, as it is the furthest she has ever cycled in one ride.

The Finish at The Hotel.

The Amir Palace Hotel.

The route was relatively undulating, with good road conditions and a pleasant ride, mostly along the Red Sea. The first half went extremely well due to the assistance of a strong tail wind, and unlike yesterday, we arrived at lunch feeling quite strong.

At the Hotel, we had a bowl of soup on arrival (soup is always available after each Stage of the Tour) and were pleasantly surprised at the standard of the accommodation, as well as being impressed with the waterfront  pressure of the  shower.

Cheers,

Mike T 

Soup ready and waiting for us at the end of Stage 2.

Location info: Ras Gharib

Ras Gharib is the northernmost of the markazes in the Red Sea Governorate, Egypt, situated on the African side of the Gulf of Suez. It has an area of 10,464.46 km². At the 2006 Egyptian national census, the population numbered 32,369.