Another brutally hot day today. By mid day, we can literally feel our skin broil under the sun. As we cycle, we dream and talk about the next coke stop (a local hut that sells pop and water). How can I adequately explain the glory that is a coke stop? Basically, you’re cycling along, sweat pouring down your face and arms, your throat parched and then, off in the distance, you see a small hut. You instinctively pick up speed. At first you try to contain your happiness so as to avoid crushing disappointment; maybe it’s not a coke stop, maybe it’s just a house, maybe you’re so delirious that you’re just hallucinating the whole thing. Then as you get closer and closer and you spot the telltale empty crate of pop bottles, the heavens start to open and you can hear the angels singing. Hallelujah…it is…it really is a coke stop. You get off the bike, wipe away the tears and order 2, maybe even three cokes or Fantas. We stopped at every coke stop we could find today. By the end of the day I must have had at least 12 pops. To say that I’m on a sugar high is an understatement.
The heat and long distances are starting to take their toll on a lot of people. Cramps, headaches and feeling weak are quite common now. Many are pushing themselves much more than they thought they could, maybe even more then they should be. I’m blown away by the strength of character and perseverance I have seen in some of the riders so far.
The campsite we stayed at tonight is hard to describe; a tiny plot of land surrounded by mounds of dirt. A few of us, pitched up our tents high up on the ledges, “the penthouse” we called it. We’ve been in a fruitless search for ice cream for days, so we sent Chris off to find some. Of course, we also added Asiago, Parmesan and Manchego cheese to the list. Alas, despite a valiant effort I’m sure, he could not find any ice cream. We like Chris a lot, so we forgave him. ;D Diana, Spiros and I stayed up a little later then usual tonight. We sat underneath the stars and just talked for hours. Spiros is a little grumpy about the food situation and kept me and Diana in stitches all night with his sarcasm. Somebody, give the man some tuna!
Subscribe Posts