Day fourteen -
Dongola 111 Km
We had our first team trial today and I rode
with the African team. It changed things up a bit and created some entertainment
and a new competitive spirit amongst riders. Not all teams were competitive with
the girls and Mike taking the opportunity to entertain the racers throughout the
race by creating human pyramid obstacles, or pretending to be injured by the
side of the road. Not surprisingly nobody stopped for them, not even the staff
members. We had an incredible tailwind and we were flying through the trial.
Overall we achieved an honorable second place finish and I was quite happy with
the day. The immense tailwinds continued throughout the day but we decided to
continue pushing also, so I feel quite burned tonight. We arrived at what is
famously referred to as the Dongola Zoo. We are the only animals to grace it
though and it is the only place that the riders are allowed to stay in Dongola
for some strange reason of policy. There are eery concrete statues of African
animals spread around the Zoo. And we were located in a cage with peering locals
outside. We were the attraction it would seem. It was okay, BUT...and this is a
major 'but' after that ferry ride...there were no showers. We hadn't showered
since Aswan and there was no end to the filth in sight. So for purely
psychological reasons, I decided to tent at a local guesthouse run by a Korean
man named Isa Kuri in Dongola...the three available showers sold me instantly.
It was a fabulous
decision as Isa is a fountain of information with regards to the Nubian culture
and helped us navigate through Dongola. He made the best coffee that I have had
so far on tour, much to his own demise as I requested it frequently. He was more
than happy to oblige, and always sat with us and helped us any way possible. It
was also a calming place, as opposed to the Zoo, with much fewer people and a
little bit of sanity and calm returned to our souls. The shower alone was worth
every penny...I will never take another shower for granted as long as I
live...
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