19 november 2011

At 9 in the morning we started our big africa tour but not befoe a group foto was taken off course and then off to Accra. The first few Kms were off road but doable, just along lac rose. But after a few kms the road already got worse and really sandy. Pretty hard to stay on the bike. Our late leave made it pretty hot already in the beginning. We entered the first few villages, kids shouting 'tubab' probably something like; 'strange white guy on a bike' all the time. Or they just shoouted 'cadeaux', unfortunately i didnt brng any for all the thousands off kids whom we will encounter along the road.

Alongside the roads near the towns its full off rubbish, its like riding acrross a dirtbelt all the time. After a few k's we entered turmac, finally, but s was a busy road so we had to ride in the shoulders of the road. Being only 52 ks long the first day should have been an easy day butit was not. I clearlyt had to get used to the heat as after 40k my light almost went out.But after a short rest and a cold coke the last 10 k were ok. Fortunately i was not the only one who had to get used to the heat, it was about 37c. The group has some real diehards and fully trained people in it so i think i will be in the backside of the group most of the time at least in the beginning. I will take it slowely the first few days and built up gradually.

On the 20th we had 128 ks ahead of us. started at 7.30h but already at ten it was boiling hot. so today after 70some ks i jumped in the Van as i didnt want to overheat myself in the first few days. I feel that my body has to adapt some more so i can take the heat better. A comforting thought is that even the most experienced guys in the group had a very difficult day and some suffered a lot. I learned that keeping a slow pace (even if you think its to slow) and keep that slow pace on all the time works best in the end. So i will try that tomorrow when we enter Gambia and have some 108 ksto cycle, so hope for an early start.

Tomorrow bushcamp so no internet, after that Georgetown Gambia, where i probably will be able to update some more, for now, early to bed.