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Hello from Judith - Day 22, Khartoum



Day 21 - Sunrise Breakfast!



Friday: Hello everyone,

I am also enjoying Michael's blog! Our trip thus far has been interesting to say the least, but I'm looking forward to the change in climate and desert-scapes as we progress further South.

I am a big fan of the Tailwind and don't mind the odd gentle Crosswind, although the gusting ones that throw sand in your face and give you some free exfoliation are not popular!  
Head butting a Headwind is a real problem for me too, so the Irish wish of "may the wind always be at your back" has a very special place in my heart right now!  

Michael has the patience of a saint - riding mostly at my pace - which I hope will continue to improve!

Laundry mostly happens on rest days. Where there are laundry services available by local ladies or hotels, we use them!  Socks, buffs, hankies, bandannas and underwear are washed in the shower when and where possible.

Our daily meals have been fairly healthy and plentiful (whew, but some of the 20 - 30 something age group can put away several plates at a time! But then they are racing and covering the distances in half my time!).

We are touring with a great crew and an amazing and interesting bunch of cyclists - so there is always someone chat to you and lots of group dynamics to observe. 

And so our adventure continues... we hope everyone in RSA & DRC keeps well and continues to stay in touch and in good health.

- Judith



Day 21- Stage 18 - Police Convoys, Chaos, and Khartoum

Sunrise & early morning bike-gathering...

Desert Camp to Khartoum (88 km)

Thursday: The day's riding-orders were to cycle to lunch at the 67km mark, have lunch and then at 11 am, form up into a convoy and ride into Khartoum. We thought it was going to be an easy ride, but weary legs and a crosswind decided otherwise.



We were the first to leave camp, but were soon overtaken by all the other riders. Judith was struggling at the back, and we decided I would cycle on at my pace and she would cycle with Sweep Rider Helen. 

If it was going to result in her arriving late for the lunch time rendezvous, then Tallis would go back and pick up Judith and Helen in the Land Cruiser and drive them to lunch. 

True to form; 5km from the lunch truck rendezvous, the Sudanese Police stopped all the riders until we could form a convoy (they were so keen they just couldn't wait until the lunch truck) much to the agitation of the riders.



After a lengthy wait,  they decided we could cycle on to lunch, so with much fanfare we rode to the lunch truck . At this stage Judith and Helen were still nowhere to be seen...


Lunch was taken on the outskirts of Khartoum in an area covered by litter, and we were surrounded by Police and Traffic Officials, it was organised chaos, Sudanese style.

To my astonishment and admiration, Judith arrived accompanied by Helen, she had cycled all the way and it wasn't necessary for Tallis to fetch them after all.


After lunch, we formed up into our designated positions, slower riders in the front, behind the Land Cruiser. So the Treloar's had the distinction of leading the convoy of TDA riders into the city center of Khartoum. Thanks go to "Super Muzz Murray" who pushed Judith (who was totally exhausted by this stage) on numerous occasions, as well as Bridgette, who shouted encouragement,  ensuring she stayed in front behind the Cruiser.  

Thanks also go out to the Sudanese Police and Traffic Police who with sirens blaring, ensured we reached the Hotel Camping Grounds in one piece, since the traffic in Khartoum was horrendous. Notwithstanding that our TDA convoy had the distinction of backing up the traffic for kilometers in all directions! 



Judith and I booked into the Grand Hotel Villa, after cycling the equivalent of over four Cape Argus Cycle Tours, and after 'enjoying' three Desert Camps we were determined to spoil ourselves. 

We unpacked our bags and accompanied by Niklas, we went off to the Hotel Restaurant, where we killed the salad's and pudding's from their late afternoon buffet.

Back in our room, Judith had a late afternoon snooze, while I caught up with social media at the Pool Area. Then after taking a shower, it was early to bed.

Tomorrow we hope to just relax and take in some sight-seeing.

Cheers,
Mike T




Lunch on the outskirts of Khartoum 


Waiting for the Police Convoy to form

Welcome to Khartoum...


In the Hotel Restaurant killing the salads and puddings at the late lunch buffet 



_

Day 20 - Stage 17 - Desert Sunrises, Sand Storms, & Roadkill.

Sunrise silhouette - A picture worth a thousand words !


Desert Camp to [another] Desert Camp (147 km)

Wednesday: Third day of 140km plus of riding...completed.  With third night of desert camping to come...

Judith was very keen today and she was the first to leave after breakfast. We had a good ride, considering it was the third day in a row that we were cycling in excess of 140km.

Highlight of the day was when Mark (USA) found his own piece of petrified wood alongside the road (after attending a short course on how to recognize your own petrified wood specimen, by yours truly). Well done Mark. Unfortunately he had to leave it behind!

A portion of the ride was done with a favorable tail wind, however the majority of the day was spent cycling with a strong crosswind and an unfavorable desert dust/sand storm. (!!)



When we reached the Lunch Truck they were in the grips of a major sand storm, which made having lunch without sand in your food an impossibility. However it did give a new meaning to the word "sandwich"! :P


Cycled past a recently killed camel which had been involved in a head on collision with a motor vehicle, hopefully the occupants were not seriously injured. But stray animals and a lack of fencing are a major driving hazard especially at night.

We battled the last 15km against a terrible sand-bearing crosswind, made worse every time a speeding bus passed us, tossing us about in it's slipstream.

Stopped about 500m from the finish to have tea, kindly sponsored by Tom, and spent some quality time just relaxing. It was quite naughty of us, since it caused some of the TDA Management Team to come and look for us as they thought we had got lost! (Next time, finish the ride first, before enjoying the comforts of the local village).


Looking forward to our arrival in Khartoum tomorrow, and another well earned Rest Day on Friday. We will be riding to lunch, then regrouping, before riding in a convoy (escorted  by the local Police) into the City Center. 

Team orders are, that the slower riders ride at the front of the convoy, so tomorrow the Treloar's will be leading the Tour Group into Khartoum! Should be fun.


Cheers,
Mike T


Early morning sunrise silhouette

Mark finding his first very own specimen of petrified wood

Lunch time sand storm!

Sheltering from the wind and sand at lunch

Pooh Bear finds himself horizontal

Brad slightly dust-covered after the sand storm

Sweep rider Brad explaining to Judith where we are in relation to camp


Michael building cairns down the length of Africa


Dead Camel on side of road :(

Damaged car on side of road 

Arriving at Coke Stop at Um Al Hassam



Ordering tea & coffee at Coke Stop 


Tom serving us our tea & coffee

Desert Camp
Briefing board for tomorrow's ride into Khartoum

Bikes sheltering around the one and only tree


Helen dishing up peas for  Liz




Tallis dishing up for some hungry riders



Crew Members Brad, Muli, Leo and Errol
Racing Snakes (the faster riders) Charles, Mark (UK) & Julian resting at Coffee Shop in Um Al Hassam Village


Goat skin water container
A Sudanese water tanker

Riders trawling the metropolis of Um Al Hassam

Tallis explaining tomorrow's arrangements for entering Khartoum
and how to ride in a convoy
Very attentive briefing audience