Difficult Cycling in Ethiopia, Deb Loses EFI
We have entered Ethiopia and bad news…Deb lost EFI, but Good News, Dave still has his and since there are only 3 women racers, (and all 3 are no longer EFI) she is still guaranteed a podium finish. Dave is doing amazing keeping the EFI going for team D!
This was a really tough week. 4 days of 140 km days with head and side winds followed by 2 grueling days of mountain climbing equalling 2500 metres on loose gravel with 12% grades. Yesterday was the hardest day on the tour with constant climbing and no relief on the downhill’s because of the rough road conditions. For my capabilities, we really messed up with our bicycle choice. Should have gone for a triple chain ring to have that “granny gear”. Dave managed fine, but I was out at lunch. A couple of days earlier, my entire body seized up at the end of the day due to losing too much salt accumulating over the several days of riding in 42º heat. Yes, it is no longer cold, the minute we left Khartoum the weather changed. Thank God for Dr. Janet (number one women’s rider) She is a strength coach for Xtreme Athletes and she patched me up loading me with all of my electrolytes and calmed me down by explaining what was happening to me. Every move I made caused intense cramping, be it in my calves, thighs, fingers, ribs etc. It was awful. The only problem is that it takes a couple of days to recover from that depletion and I just couldn’t get my legs back. It was with a lot of tears and frustration, but I finally had to board the bus.
Once again though, the other riders were so supportive Thanks Maria, Janet, Joya, Deb Ashleigh and sweet nurse Amandine for your support that day.
I can’t believe that another country as come and gone. This isn’t exactly turning out to be the experience of Africa that I thought it would be. We are doing so many km each day that there is no time to stop and take it all in. I don’t think that we are being the greatest ambassedors to our countries. People line the sides of the road yelling questions at us and asking us to stop, but you can’t stop because you have 120km to go still and you still have to set up your tent, check your bike fore tomorrow, get some soup (if you are not in early, the soup is gone and that sucks, I really love the soup it is great for replenishing the salt) and try to relax and recover a bit for the next day. I would just love to take some time to explore these interesting villages that we race past.
At the beginning of the tour, Dave and I were stopping a lot to take pictures and video, but now we have started to ride straight through from Coke stop to Coke stop. Snapping some photos while we sip our drinks. Ahh, the cokes stops. You start to live for them.
It has gone from freezing just before Khartoum, to 42º heat. Dave took a photo of Alex’s bike theremometer that was baking in the sun during one stop and it reached 52º. Impossible you say, take a look at the photo. So, these coke stops become very important. The water in our camelbacks is hot by mid morning and the awful Fast Fuel that they provide, is completely undrinkable in the afternoon. The only thing that keeps me going is knowing that I might get a lukewarm coke somewhere in the coming km’s. I actually become a little desperate when I haven’t seen one for awhile.
So, we are here in Ethiopia for 21 days. Our rest day today is in the northern town of Gondor. Looks like a nice town with a great history, but we won’t be seeing much of that because we have to change our tires for pavement, do our laundry, repack our red boxes and tune our bike. Rest days are really workdays. I know, I know, my blog isn’t the most positive this week, but isn’t that what these are all about? The good, the bad and the ugly. Well, today it is a little ugly. Sometimes, you just can’t find the humour in things. Maybe by Addis Ababa I will be feeling better.
I did have a really great dinner at the hotel tonight. The contrasts are really amazing, 2 days ago at the border, we camped literally surrounded by cow manure, and now we are camping on the grounds of Gondors finest hotel. Dave and I splurged on a room for our sanity. He also deserved it for riding and finishing the toughest day on the tour. That was after hanging back with me almost all morning. It cost him a lot of time, but he made it up in the afternoon. He finshed in 9 hours and that would have been 8 or less if he didn’t have to wait for me. But that’s the type of guy he is, he won’t leave his lady. There, now I am positive.
11 Responses to Difficult Cycling in Ethiopia, Deb Loses EFI
Leave a Reply
Sponsors
The Planet D on TV!
Posts
- Top 5 U.S. Cities for Foodies (Besides New York) on May 22, 2012 by debndave - 10 Comments
- How Not to Get Locked Up Abroad on May 21, 2012 by debndave - 18 Comments
- Gondola Parking in Venice, Italy on May 17, 2012 by debndave - 9 Comments
- New Tools for Planning the Perfect Summer Trip on May 16, 2012 by debndave - 3 Comments
- Honesty, Fear and Triumph – Dear Reader on May 27, 2011 by debndave - 166 Comments
- Petra by Night in Photos on May 4, 2011 by debndave - 149 Comments
- What’s With All the Hatin’ in Travel Blogging? on October 29, 2011 by debndave - 127 Comments
- So You Want to Be a Pro Blogger in The Travel Business on November 14, 2011 by debndave - 126 Comments
Online hotel reservations
Hey You 2,
OMG, you guys are doing so amazing. Deb, screw the EFI. You’re the last of the females to bus it, and God knows, you’ve worked hard. Remember, Dave is always your back up and support, as you are his.
I miss you guys so much…the positive is that I get to read the blogs and know how you’re doing. Shawn and I are so proud of you, bragging to anyone who will listen about your latest accomplishments and exploits. We can’t wait until we’re sitting at the trailer with you, gulping the wine (yes, I can drink now, lol) and hearing in detail all about Africa. I live through you girlfriend, lol. Ah, someday we’ll make it there, I know it.
And don’t worry. I’m recuperating here a day at a time and have amazing of support from Shawn, kids, my family and amazing friends like Ange.
Okay, now I’m starting to tear up writing this, kleenex at the ready.
We’re thinking of you and cheering you on from the Canadian side lines here. And so proud of you.
Much love,
Shawn, Lorri
Katie & Noah
Hey guys!!!
Great hearing from you. Quite the adventure on the other side of the globe. Hope all is well and safe and very HOT I am sure, soon to get hotter.
Stay in touch and God bless your travels.
JB
52 degrees!!!! i thought it was only mad dogs and englishmen that went out in the midday sun! Now ill have to write to the oxford university asking for the phrase to be amended to mention you two and your bikes. how do you take a bike’s temperatutre anyway? Where do you put the thermometer!? Good on dave for not leaving his lady … if only Maverick had done the same thing for his wingman in Top Gun. What could have been eh? Maverick would have beat Ice Man to the Top Gun trophy and Goose may even have lived. Happy pedalling guys, beers on me when you get to England.
All I can say is “W O W “
i am the king of the bike campers
kenya–nov2006….to durban…apr2007
camping mostly all the time—10$day avg…plane 1600$ from oakville
eat onions with pop and alternete type of drinks
i was the only rider…solo i saw…
the weather factor is ….
no insect problem s 4 me…
caution if yo get a flat …repair it as fast as possible to aviod being ctr of childrens… attention…
YOU GUYS ROCK Just back from my little adventure in South America,but to read your story in the star and then see all your great pics.WOW.
Hope you both are well, good luck,and may the wind always be at your back
Btw, we got you a copy of the Toronto Star coming with your article in it. Thought you might like to see it.
Just read one of your riders blog and Congrats! Deb for winning the womens racing class in the Blue Nile Gorge section. Way to go girl! Dave how are you doing? Your official times look great – you are both staying in there with the ‘pros’.We’re all very proud – Love you both – Mom Dad
Your pictures are great. Wow! Have the two of you every lost weight. Can not imagine what you are going through. Just wanted to say that we love you both and We sure are glad that the two of you are together. Write as soon as posible. Worried as always but very proud of how you handle everything ,Love Mom and Dad
Nice way of putting it.I found out about your writing from Google and enjoyed it tremendously. Have you been writing for long?Not long ago I recently started a blog myself and its been a really fun process. I’ve met some new people since then although it is hard work sometimes! Anyway, thanks a ton for your article!
Pingback: brian mcwilliams