The first days: the speed is on

On the first day of the Tour d’Afrique we rode in convoy from the hotel to the pyramids. There were some speeches there, and an incredible number of pictures was taken. From there we went in convoy again, to the Perpendicular road of Cairo where they “released” us and the race could start. Now I had the intention of not racing and taking it easy in the first week, but that intention lasted for only one minute: I started riding and before I knew it I was part of a group with three other riders and two Egyptian guest riders. I could easily keep up with this group, my legs were in great form. The others asked me why I did not enlist as a racer. The answer came after lunch: my energy-supply was empty and I had to let them go. I came in as 5-th, the next finisher was at least one hour after me.
Upon till now (we are in Safaga on the Red Sea) it has been great: apart from the first day we have had a strong tailwind, resulting yesterday in an average of 36. km/h, a personal best for me.
Tomorrow we’re heading inland towards the Nile-river, the day afterwards we’ll go to Luxor for our first rest day.

Ready to roll

(composed on jan 11)
After 3 years of dreaming and 1 year of preparation, the moment has arrived: I’m in Caïro. The body is in shape, the mind also, the bike is sharp as a razor, as for as I’m concerned we can get started.
The trip went down well. The hardest part was right at the beginning at Schiphol airport: saying goodbye to Helène, Guus and Lieke. All four of us have been working towards this moment, and suddenly it is there. Lots of hugs, lots of tears, lots of thumbs up, it was a very difficult moment.
After a smooth flight via London, I was at Cairo-airport around 23.00h. The luggage appeared on the conveyer belt, the only missing piece being my bike. Not really a minor detail if you have to ride 11500 km on it!!
But luckily after talking to several Egyptian officials and filling out an impressive form, suddenly out of nowhere there appeared a pile of five bike boxes, with my bike in it. Pffff!
Taking into account the way the bikes where loaded into the van that would bring us to the hotel, it is a miracle that any of those bikes can ever be used again. I’m glad I’ve bought a very sturdy bikebox, because mine came out undamaged. It is standing in my hotel room as I write, sharp and shiny, ready to roll.
Thusrday I visited the pyramids, which are quite impressive. At night the Ministry of Tourism offered us a dinner on a Nile-boat, the food was good and so where the dancers. It was a convenient way of getting to know the other riders.
Today the last preparations where made, my number was collected (109), the luggage has to be redivided over the Red Box and one bag, and then the legs can get to work.. Finally!