Leaving the City

Arusha to Babati sat March 10th

Very much not form as was tired!

172km, first 100mile plus day. 1630m of climbing, with 400m in last 15k.

Puncture leaving the campsite, realised about 1.5km up the road that could feel everything. Knew something wasn't right all the way up hill but couldn't figure it out- had new shorts on and Jordan had changed my cassette. The whole party bus stopped, Alistair and I changed it. Was pretty proud as managed to essentially do it myself, but assisted. I had practised a lot at home before coming, but wihout a tantrum each time- but it paid off. Also makes me feel better that atleast three other people on the tour don't know how the change tyre, and one of them doesn't want to learn and pays locals if needed! I like being able to do stuff, and feeling competent. They culprit was a small piece of metal, like a broken staple.

Back on road by 7, past the clock tower marking halfway between Cairo and Cape Town.

Exit through town. Not too busy but busy enough. Main hazard is the little minibuses which pull out from he side of the road/picking people up without looking in their mirrors. Route followed the road we had driven on way to ngorongoro crater for the first 80km (until lunch) Long journey but v pretty countryside. Sky was blue, grass green and endless. The bright colours worn by the locals added to the colour of the landscape.

Locals very friendly. Conditioned that expect kids standing by the road to be a threat but they simply wave, and smile and shout 'How are you?' Or 'Goodbye' or 'good morning'. Good morning seems applicable to any time of day, maybe that's how they greet teachers on arrival at school, but don't have to in the afternoon.

Rode in peloton until coke stop at about 65km, this was top of initial climb. 

We managed good speeds, probably averaging 25km/h. The last bit to lunch was undulations which we all enjoyed. Lunch was pretty busy (I think because we had stopped for puncture repair we were in the main crowd).

Weather was good and everyone in high spirits. I had some Nutella, felt promptly guilty but am Limiting to one helping of chocolate a day. Ie none at breakfast. When leaving I turned around to see Alistair inflating my flat tyre for me, to the desired pressure, with the lunch truck foot pump. Very nice of him...maybe he was trying to get me moving! One the road we continued in unison as we had been. It was a nice ride. There was a strong head wind the middle portion of the afternoon, which changed to cross wind, and then tailwind for a bit. We adapted our riding formation wordlessly in response to the wind direction. We have ridden with each other enough to just understand where we need to be, and everyone's riding. Jenna hasn't been feeling well, but was doing amazingly. We had a tag along local duo for a few kms too.

We stopped again at a coke stop at 134km, a place called Maduna. I had a 300ml Coke Zero, and bought. Bottle of water as I had already finished one since lunch. I needed have bothered, within the 10mins tryst we were stopped, the weather had moved in and we were heading to the eye if the storm. Once again. I hadn't brought my jacket, and had taken my cycling shirt off st lunch. The wind picked up, the sky darkened and drizzle began to fall. I had decided that when it started I would take shelter and let it pass. The difficulty is knowing when to pull he plug. David made the call and we took cover at a bar at about 148km. The rain fell, but the heavens never opened. After 40mins we decided we would just head off. I was tempted to stay and wait for the lunch truck. Alistair lent me his rain jacket- which desperately needs a wash, and we were off into the rain and wind. The rain eased for about .5mins before increasing in intensity. We still had 24km and an uphill to go. David and Alistair pulled us along to the climb. Drafting makes it so much easier, but your eyes are never off the wheel infront, and concentration is key. A new found problem is also when riding in the rain the spray from the wheel infront goes right in your mouth, unless you breath through your nose, or ride slightly off centre. You. An distinguish surface spray from rain because surface spray is wa, having come off warm tar. Rain isn't. 2km from camp, and still climbing, I became a bit light headed. Should have had full fat coke instead of Coke Zero maybe. Eventually we rolls into camp, pretty wet, but not cold like the other day. Marty,Aedo and crew were siting under a shelter enjoying soup and coffee. I asked Errol (cook) for a banana, which he gave me, but only as an exception and told me to have some soup. It was a good ride, and a very good team effort. I think David and Alistair were raring to go at times, but I appreciated there company and contribution to the ride. :) We all found somewhere to pitch our tents, out of the rain. I put mine under a shelter with some builders sand...but not without first being upset at pitching t onsand- before remembering I had camped in the desert, where there was a lot more sand than the little pile near me. 

Dinner was late my fav spag Bol, and naturally I had two helpings. As seems to be the way now 😳 Catherine and Sophie rolled in st 5.30. An amazing feat, they had been shopping and stopped a long the way, but what a long day in the saddle. Having left at 6.30 this morning. Karen also cycled the whole day, with Tom. Tomorrow is 159km, with 1680m of climbing. Babati to Singida. Poor night sleep, hard ground and mosquitoes Left in drabs

Nice view looking back up hill.

David over took early on. I overtook Jenna. Rain started at 7am. Top of first climb 12km, radio towers marked the top. These would become a significant landmark for me at the top of each climb.  Put on jacket to keep me dry, made me very happy to be able to do this! Undulations all morning. 

Passed fields of sunlowers, contrast to grey sky!

Alistair caught up and pushed me a bit, he has developed a lot of fitness and strength, often pulls me along. Today we reached 34/h on the flat, I wouldn't have been able to do this without him . Fatigue, passed lady making chapatis at about 47km. 

Called coke stop and bought three African fried dough balls for Marty, Alistair and I. Felt a bit revived, continued onbut soon spread out. 

Struggling. Big climb to lunch. Rolled in fatigued and wet! Disappointed that so many people had passed pretty promptly at coke stop. Left over bolog, biscuits, Nutella for lunch. Back on road with Alistair. Tough afternoon. He stuck with me. There were tears at 120km when I was so tired I couldnt hold a conversation with Tom. No one noticed, probs only about threetyears and 30seconds but just so tired! Passed Alex who had paid local to change tyre and now brake was malaligned. Really struggled but eventually made it to camp. Thought it was 152 but was 159. Low point. A lot of climbing today. Legs empty from yesterday. Glad today we have showers and respite from mud. On dish duty and have to change tyres ready for tomorrow's off road. Managed myself. With a little help from Alistair :) 

Don gave me a Snickers, have given to Steph to look after for me. Knew I would be in dishes! Didn't rain this evening and concrete = no mud. Cake for Stephs bday! Chocolate cake no less Pitched under less of building but very hard ground, tiled. And had to take a pole out of tent to make it fit. Off road for 5 more days to Mbeya. No showers or power and it's meant to rain all day tomorrow. Why am I here?! Atleast it's not as far tomorrow 133km, with 400m uphill and 700 downhill. We will see what the dirt brings.