So apparently some peeps have access to the internet on the beach - damn them!!! Well I am going to take advantage of them and add one quick line to say that the sun is setting in Safaga, Egypt and the TDA riders are drinking beer, wine and generally enjoying the afternoon off. I hope that the music at the bar doesn't play all night as I lost an ear plug in my tent/sleeping bag last night! I am not too worried though because my new friend, Steph has Canadian military training and I am sure that she could take care of business if necessary! Check out her profile on the TDA website - I am not kidding this girl is hardcore. I am getting all kinds of great tips from her - including how to pee in a bottle in the tent - once in I never have to leave!
Beer o'clock at the bar. Will post again in Luxor.
Jx
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
4 Days Done, 116 To Go!
Where do I start!?
Day 1 - 132 km riding
The first days was an early start - 4:30 am. Breakfast and then we all got on our bikes and were escorted by the police to the great pyramids for the Tour d'Afrique opening ceremony. By 9 am we left the pyramids (I felt like I was on a movie set!) and we rode another 32 km out of Cairo again escorted by the police - quite an amazing site - 75 riders on the highways of Cairo. At the end of the convey the race started and I decided to see how I felt on the bike. In the end the result was a sprint to the finish for the women and I missed the stage win by a hair - I couldn't get my e-button out fastest enough to stop the clock! It was a photo finish and I was happy enough with second place on the stage.
The camp was a desert camp - and I didn't do to badly getting my tent up the only the second time ever! When you arrive at the end of the day you set up your tent and lay out your gear and there is aways a delicious hot soup waiting for you. At 5pm we have a rider meeting telling us about the map for the next day, announcing the winners of the days stage and then dinner. At the moment it seems to be lights out by 7pm as everyone's exhausted.
Day 2 - 168 km
168 km doesn't sound that bad on paper but on the long flat (with slight inclines) desert roads of Egypt it can be torture. I have never had such a hard day of riding in my life - 8 1/2 hours on the bike (that includes a lunch stop and a stop to pee and fill up bottles). There was a head wind like I have never experienced in my life - at times in small groups of three or four we were slowed to 13km per hour. I rode most of the day with two guys and we took turns pulling at the front of the train/line but it was hard, hard, hard. Only now do I know what it might be like to spend 120 days in Africa on a bike. Still - I made it to came in 3rd place among the women and the soup was hot! I got my tent up and we had some rain in the desert - a quick dinner and then off to bed - again around 7:30 pm.
Day 3 - 141km
This day was like a dream compared to day 2 - the wind changed direction and we caught a tail wind for most of the day. We soon forgot about our aches and pains and enjoyed speeds upwards of 45km per hour and spirits were high at the lunch truck (tuna sandwiches, pb & j and bananas). We hit a wicked crosswind for about 20km but all in all it was a great day on the bike. Jake is behaving himself but I am experiencing some nasty pain behind my left knee - could be the seat post - too low or just the suspension seat post itself or the fact that I don't usually rider that many km back to back in one week. Welcome to the TDA - everyone's got aches and pains. The camp was a desert camp last night at a police check point - we are well protected by the police each night and they follow us on the road too which is reassuring.
Still 3rd among the women.
Day 4 - 92 km
This almost feels like a rest day in comparison to the other days of riding. I decided to take it easy today......no racing (the other two women are going to be after 1st and 2nd position and I am happy with 3rd right now). Today I enjoyed the mountain scenery and we arrived in Safaga at 10:30 am - a beach town on the Red Sea. My tent is pitched on the beach and I had a shower (cold water but at least it was a shower) - my first shower in 4 days. A cold beer awaits me at the beach bar so I must sign off.
Sorry no pictures - slow upload here - I will try from Luxor.
Jx
Day 1 - 132 km riding
The first days was an early start - 4:30 am. Breakfast and then we all got on our bikes and were escorted by the police to the great pyramids for the Tour d'Afrique opening ceremony. By 9 am we left the pyramids (I felt like I was on a movie set!) and we rode another 32 km out of Cairo again escorted by the police - quite an amazing site - 75 riders on the highways of Cairo. At the end of the convey the race started and I decided to see how I felt on the bike. In the end the result was a sprint to the finish for the women and I missed the stage win by a hair - I couldn't get my e-button out fastest enough to stop the clock! It was a photo finish and I was happy enough with second place on the stage.
The camp was a desert camp - and I didn't do to badly getting my tent up the only the second time ever! When you arrive at the end of the day you set up your tent and lay out your gear and there is aways a delicious hot soup waiting for you. At 5pm we have a rider meeting telling us about the map for the next day, announcing the winners of the days stage and then dinner. At the moment it seems to be lights out by 7pm as everyone's exhausted.
Day 2 - 168 km
168 km doesn't sound that bad on paper but on the long flat (with slight inclines) desert roads of Egypt it can be torture. I have never had such a hard day of riding in my life - 8 1/2 hours on the bike (that includes a lunch stop and a stop to pee and fill up bottles). There was a head wind like I have never experienced in my life - at times in small groups of three or four we were slowed to 13km per hour. I rode most of the day with two guys and we took turns pulling at the front of the train/line but it was hard, hard, hard. Only now do I know what it might be like to spend 120 days in Africa on a bike. Still - I made it to came in 3rd place among the women and the soup was hot! I got my tent up and we had some rain in the desert - a quick dinner and then off to bed - again around 7:30 pm.
Day 3 - 141km
This day was like a dream compared to day 2 - the wind changed direction and we caught a tail wind for most of the day. We soon forgot about our aches and pains and enjoyed speeds upwards of 45km per hour and spirits were high at the lunch truck (tuna sandwiches, pb & j and bananas). We hit a wicked crosswind for about 20km but all in all it was a great day on the bike. Jake is behaving himself but I am experiencing some nasty pain behind my left knee - could be the seat post - too low or just the suspension seat post itself or the fact that I don't usually rider that many km back to back in one week. Welcome to the TDA - everyone's got aches and pains. The camp was a desert camp last night at a police check point - we are well protected by the police each night and they follow us on the road too which is reassuring.
Still 3rd among the women.
Day 4 - 92 km
This almost feels like a rest day in comparison to the other days of riding. I decided to take it easy today......no racing (the other two women are going to be after 1st and 2nd position and I am happy with 3rd right now). Today I enjoyed the mountain scenery and we arrived in Safaga at 10:30 am - a beach town on the Red Sea. My tent is pitched on the beach and I had a shower (cold water but at least it was a shower) - my first shower in 4 days. A cold beer awaits me at the beach bar so I must sign off.
Sorry no pictures - slow upload here - I will try from Luxor.
Jx
Friday, January 15, 2010
Tour d' Afrique Start Day!
Greetings from Giza - yes I am still here! But not for long. After two days of rider meetings and a fun ride through the streets of Giza (followed my the local police for around 6km - I think they were bored!) out to a "little" pyramid - I am ready to ride.
The rider meetings updated us on the ins and outs of the tour - the race rules, camp updates and toliet details (seriously that part is not going to be fun - pretty much find a "private" place, dig a hole and go. Too much information? Well I think everyone here's going to know all my business - quite literally - yikes! Having said that we are all excited and the groups seems great.
At the hotel this morning the bike mechanic, Chris set up shop and we tweaked out bikes and checked for problems. I have already ripped two values out of my tubes (which isn't great because I only have 5!) so I have been practicing changing my tires to avoid problems in the future. Jake seems ready to go but I have to admit the value problem gave me a little scare and knocked my confidence a bit. I am feeling better but tire problems are most common and I would like to avoid flats as much as possible.
Tomorrow morning we are up at 4:30 am and heading to the big pyramids as a convoy with an escort for the first 38km and then we are off and on our own. Day one is 132km and then over 150km the next day....and so on. Desert camps for 4 days (no showers) and we should be in Luxor in 6 days for our first "rest" day - I have been told to think of rest days insteads as "none riding days" because there will be no resting - it will be all about laundry, eating and finding an internet connection.
I am registered as a racer (there are a lot of us) so if you are interested you can check out the Tour d'Afrique website and check my race times......but you should know that I am reluctant racer which means I will be trying to go fast but will be stopping along the way for a coffee maybe, a coke and certainly spotting for lunch. I am not in this to win but it might be fun for you all to check out our times online.
So until Luxor then. Sorry no pictures - it has been tough to get an internet connection here in Giza.
Stay tuned.....!
The rider meetings updated us on the ins and outs of the tour - the race rules, camp updates and toliet details (seriously that part is not going to be fun - pretty much find a "private" place, dig a hole and go. Too much information? Well I think everyone here's going to know all my business - quite literally - yikes! Having said that we are all excited and the groups seems great.
At the hotel this morning the bike mechanic, Chris set up shop and we tweaked out bikes and checked for problems. I have already ripped two values out of my tubes (which isn't great because I only have 5!) so I have been practicing changing my tires to avoid problems in the future. Jake seems ready to go but I have to admit the value problem gave me a little scare and knocked my confidence a bit. I am feeling better but tire problems are most common and I would like to avoid flats as much as possible.
Tomorrow morning we are up at 4:30 am and heading to the big pyramids as a convoy with an escort for the first 38km and then we are off and on our own. Day one is 132km and then over 150km the next day....and so on. Desert camps for 4 days (no showers) and we should be in Luxor in 6 days for our first "rest" day - I have been told to think of rest days insteads as "none riding days" because there will be no resting - it will be all about laundry, eating and finding an internet connection.
I am registered as a racer (there are a lot of us) so if you are interested you can check out the Tour d'Afrique website and check my race times......but you should know that I am reluctant racer which means I will be trying to go fast but will be stopping along the way for a coffee maybe, a coke and certainly spotting for lunch. I am not in this to win but it might be fun for you all to check out our times online.
So until Luxor then. Sorry no pictures - it has been tough to get an internet connection here in Giza.
Stay tuned.....!
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Arrived in Cairo!
I have arrived and Jake survived the trip! I assembled my bike this morning with the help of a lovely Belgium guy and then we did the same for Paddy from Ireland. Oh Paddy's never even been on his bike before - that makes me feel a little better :-) So all's well on day 1 of my trip. Optional ride to Mastabas tomorrow so I can work out any kinks. Hope to send photos soon.
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Here to Represent Duke's Cycle!
I could not have prepared for the Tour d' Afrique without the support and generosity of all the staff at Duke's Cycle in Toronto. Big shout out to Gary Duke and his amazing staff - Michael, Stewart, Amanda, Greg, Mark, Francois and Randall! I hope I will make them proud!
Jake Boxed Up For Africa
Packing for this trip is HARD! We are limited by volume and weight - everything needs to fit in a bin (50cmx65cmx85cm) and 100 pounds is the maximum. That might sound like a lot of room/weight but just remember this is 120 days and that includes my accommodation - tent, ground sheet, mattress and cot!
Once again Jake is the only one ready to make the trip!
Jake Tricked Out
JAKE IS READY TO RIDE!
My Kona Jake has been modified and upgraded by the fantastic crew at Duke's Cycle in Toronto. Stewart build a new wheel set, there's a new bottom bracket, crank, bars, Schwalbe Tires, seat, and the space-aged Cane Creek seat post.
At least Jake is ready to go!
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