Cycling The Road Less Travelled

We’re in Sudan! I can’t believe we have already cycled over 1450 km and are in the second country. The first day in Sudan was supposed to be a cycling day, however our support trucks got delayed, and that meant an unscheduled rest day in Wadi Halfa. What a treat! We spent the day walking around town, eating falafel, talking to people. The locals were incredibly, INCREDIBLY friendly and welcoming. They would just walk up to us with huge smiles and their hand extended. “Welcome to Sudan”. “Where are you from?” We would chat for a bit and then they would go on their way. One family even invited us into their home for tea; there was no way we would pass that up. They didn’t speak much English, and we don’t speak Arabic, but somehow we managed. As a traveler, there is no greater privilege, no greater joy then to be welcomed into someone’s home, just because they would like to give you some tea. It never ceases to amazes me how those with so little are so generous. Makes you wonder….

To make up the unscheduled rest day, the distances were increased on the following days. The first day went from 68 kms to 110km. That doesn’t seem bad at all, until you saw the roads. Wow, you had a choice of deep, rock hard corrugations or deep sand. The corrugated sections were hysterical because you were bounced up and down so much that you could barely see in front of you. The sand got so deep in spots that you had to get off your bike and push. Lots of fun but very challenging. Trust me, over 400 km of it in 4 days takes a huge toll on your body, especially on bikes with no shocks. I figured I was about one or two days away from “falling off my bike from exhaustion and drowning in a pool of my own drool”.
Even the mountain bikers with full suspension bikes we’re looking a bit frazzled. We got back onto tarmac yesterday, almost a religious experience I tell ya’. I know of at least one rider that even got off the bike and kissed the road.

We did not go unrewarded though. The scenery was stunning, the sand, the rocks, the colors, the villages we went through. Beautiful. Not to mention, all the kids and adults that we passed along the way, waving and shouting hello! How can I explain how that feels?. I just can’t.

Today we stay in Dongola, at the abandoned zoo. We’ve been told that “Terry the Tortoise” still leaves here, but he has yet to make his appearance. .About hundred kids have showed up though and watch us through the gates of the zoo. I guess we are quite the spectacle. It’s a rest day…a chance to bathe, do laundry, stock up on snacks and toilet paper and check email.
More photos added to the gallery. Hope you like’ em.