Dongola Sudan

I arrived today in Dongola Sudan after four days of desert riding. It was km after km of sand, rock and heat. I imagine the moon or mars must look like northern Sudan. We arrive in camp by about four after a start at 7:45am. We set up our tents and then we have supper and are in bed by 7:30 only you have to get up a few times each night to answer natures call. It is very cold at night and especially at dawn as we head out. The rides have taken a lot of energy to do. Today I needed to get on the bus as I was drained. Many were the days when we were in up to our ankles in sand and had to walk the bikes sometimes for km at a time.

After Luxor we went to Aswan where we needed to board a barge ferry with all our gear and bikes. If you can picture a boat that is overloaded with every object you can think of and all floors covered with people you may get an idea of what it was like. We had taken all the 1st class cabins and we were able to get some sleep but not much. Our trucks had to cross separately and were held up in customs when we arrive in Sudan so we had an extra rest day. As usual rest days are filled with laundry, buying food etc. We are getting use to the sand but it is in everything and impossible to keep out of our tents. I guess the best thing is that we all stink so nobody notices:-)

We have five days of riding ahead to Khartoum...YAHOOOO!!!!!!. We then get two days of rest.

All the riders on the tour are wonderful people as I knew they would be. There are racers, and a lot of us expedition people. We all help each other out with changing flats on the side of the road etc. As we come from so many places in the world we have much to share. The cook on the tour is amazing and prepares great meals for us even though we have to eat it in the dark. I have never eaten so much peanut butter and honey in my life but we are burning calories at a fast rate and need the energy. It is available at breakfast, lunch, after the ride and at supper.

I hope you are all well and checking the web site at www.tourdafrique.com for daily updates and photos. I will write again when I get to Khartoum.