Stage 37
Day Total: 126.32km
Total Time: 5:02
Avg. Speed: 25.0km/h
Avg. Heart Rate: 122
Total Climbing: 958m
128km on pavement with 950m of climbing – when presented on the whiteboard – sounded like the recovery day I really needed. Wind and a lack of cooperation from any other riders would morph the ride into something altogether different and significantly uncomfortable. When the day was over, I would have been better off riding alone as I ended up sitting at the front of the group for over 80km. If I’m honest, I’m angry about this. UK Paul told me early on that he was really hurting. Fair enough – he and I look out for each other and I don’t mind assisting him as I know he will do the same. The others however, well, there’s no excuse. I took every opportunity to reduce the advantage they would gain by riding behind me: when the wind would come across the road from our left I hugged the rightmost edge of the road so they could find no shade in my slipstream. I have decided I will simply leave earlier and with other riders going forward. No more assistance from me.
On the whole, we rode very slow but it still hurt and I arrived at camp quite tired. Camp is in the middle of nowhere, but as usual, somebody found out about our arrival and delivered warm soda and beer for purchase. I passed on each, opting instead for a light nap in the shade of the truck. Tomorrow is our farewell to Ethiopia and a short 83km ride to the Kenyan border. Many are happy to be leaving what they deem a hopeless land. My experience thankfully was much more positive and I thoroughly enjoyed the challenges of the riding and enthusiasm of the children (most of them).
Round and round we go 
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