Round and round we go

Day Total: NO RIDING

Songs of the Days:
Rest Day 1: Michael Jackson – Billy Jean
Rest Day 2: Guns N Roses – November Rain

If you’ve read the posts from the previous 8 days riding (4-Feb through 11-Feb) you will know that a combination of extremes exacted a severe toll on my condition. Distance and terrain are factors that cannot be argued – this is a bicycling expedition after all. Once the heat was added – daily high temperatures pushing 45C/114F – things became difficult. Two unfortunate crashes placed additional demand on mental fortitude with a badly bruised hip and ribs. Perhaps it was contamination, perhaps it was simply fatigue increasing my vulnerability, but finally some form of illness took hold and left me with diarrhea and unstoppable nausea. Sounds like a lot of fun, doesn’t it? Taken together, I pedaled up the final climb to the rest day hotel relieved that I had managed to arrive at all and elated to have 2 consecutive non-riding days forthcoming. Three nights in a hotel bed and cooler temperatures made the prospects even more favorable.

Things got off to a great start – my father had not ridden his bike on the 8th day of riding and had a hotel room waiting for us upon my arrival. He was even kind enough to have taken my bag off the truck and put it in the room. By 5pm I was showered and in the hotel restaurant to begin eating. My stomach illness had eased off a bit during the day and I actually felt a bit hungry. But first, let me mention the shower. It had been 9 days since my last proper shower. That said, it ended up being a series of showers in an effort to become completely clean. I won’t mention the state of my hair other than to say I washed it three times before it would lather properly.

My father and I had donated money to a local school for the purchase of student uniforms. On the first rest day we visited the school along with about 12 other riders. It was pretty simple by school standards: a cluster of corrugated metal roofed buildings constructed of mud bricks with dirt floors and second hand tables and chairs. The children however were proud of their school and were awaiting our arrival enthusiastically. Particularly so given it was Saturday. We toured the grounds, participated in an exhibition football (soccer) match, watched singing/dancing performances, and consumed local cuisine. They even had beer for us, and I politely consumed one though my stomach immediately revolted. All in all, a great morning and a warm experience.

For the most part, the rest days consisted of a simple schedule: wake by 7am, eat the free but oh-so-insufficient hotel breakfast, head into the town center to eat more food and drink delicious juices, and return to the hotel by noon. Once back at the hotel I would sit in a comfortable chair, chat with other riders, catch up on my writing, eat, and nap. Exciting stuff indeed, but that was the extent of my worth at that moment.

The 2 rest days wrapped up with me feeling physically better though still very tired. Fortunately we have only 2 short riding days before our next rest day where my recovery can continue…