This
was the cycling day from hell due to heat, traffic and head wind. Left
Khartoum in a convoy, which went well. As time went on, the number of
cars, trucks, motor bikes, buses, wind and temperature increased
dramatically. The vehicles drove too fast and wherever they chose, including the shoulders of the road, which kicked up clouds of thick
dust. It seemed like a race with cars darting in and out and doing a lot
of passing. You would see pick-up trucks with a number of business
men in the back wearing dark suits, shirts and ties obviously on their
way to work. The stretches of highway were dusty and full of garbage
and potholes. The strong (head)wind blew sand like a blizzard blows
snow; you were appalled by what you may be breathing.
The one very nice
thing is that the acacia trees are much larger and appear as you see
them in books and on TV. There doesn't appear to be any organized
garbage pickup, also there is litter everywhere, mainly plastics.
My
thermometer, while on the bike, read a high of 48.3°C (that is getting
close to 120°F); I have never experienced this kind of heat. I roughly
counted that I drank at least 5L of fluid. I had to ride most of it by
myself because I didn't have the energy to maintain the paceline; so it
was better that way. I arrived in at the end of the day exhausted,
filthy, sweaty and happy to be done. Unfortunately tomorrows ride is
even longer (160km) and the temperature about the same. Our hope is for
a tailwind that would make all the difference.
The kids are beautiful, happy and friendly.
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