Finished day seven. About 125 miles. First 25 miles were great. Then a huge thunderstorm came in and we spent the next 50 miles fighting ferocious headwinds. Not a lot of rain but the wind was crazy. The last 50 miles were much better with headwinds still. Quite a day. Exact same mileage as yesterday but an extra hour and a half more in the saddle.
At around mile 35 it seemed we were turning and indeed we were and we couldn’t have headed in a more difficult direction. On the bright side we had no sun today which was a huge saver. Am I more comfortable in the blaring sun or the blowing wind? I guess I always choose the opposite of what I am experiencing.
A bit more on Day 7….
1. My roommate for the trip Dr Mike is a vet. He helped me change a bandage on my shoulder yesterday. Brilliant work. No dog biscuit however.
2. The hotel for out last night tonight is an old monastery turned into a hostel. Six or eight to a room and no hot water. Just like home. I promise some photos.
3. Why so few photos? To tell the truth few has changed the last few days. Miles and miles of maize fields and not even a building. The Andes was the photo highlight and those gratefully are in the rear view mirror.
4. Looks like rain today. I suppose locusts aren’t out of the question.
5. My personal cycling is getting stronger.
6. Chatted at length yesterday with a guy who’s favorite pub was the one in that recent soccer series. He also said he had his morning coffee on the bench where coach and the star( blimey I can’t think of his name) would meet for breakfast every day. Cool stuff.
7. Why? Well that is a good question. You train for something nearly impossible. The lifestyle spent training is super healthy. The challenge of finishing is terrifically rewarding. And when you stop you grow old. Not planing on that until forced.
