by Henry
Agreed universally by the riders that today was a moderately punishing day. 149 km with most of it into a gusty headwind. We might have had 20 km of tailwind, which was glorious while it lasted. Because it was a relatively flat course, we were required to peddling constantly all day. There were no hills to allow for any downhill coasting.
21° C and not a cloud in the sky. We followed the coastline along the Gulf of Suez. The Sinai peninsula was readily visible across the narrow strip of water, which was an astoundingly beautiful two-tone turquoise. Enormous tankers were queued up in anticipation of entering the Suez Canal.
The breakfast line at Ain Sokhna's Dome Marina Hotel. We also had dinner here the night before. Both meals were very generous buffets with authentic Egyptian food.
Egyptians do make an attempt to hide their cell towers in palm trees.
Many resorts along the coast. I saw one that was Asian-inspired with pagodas.
Our first real "Coke stop" of the tour. This was rather expansive rest stop with tour buses parked in the lot. Other Coke stops will be much more humble.
Sizable food court inside the Coke stop.
Not Starbucks, but . . .
Tim with new friends and a popsicle.
As we rode further along, the buildings became more and more sparse. Some resorts were totally isolated in the barren desert landscape.
Lunch stop. The staff manages to prepare a very healthy and tasty meal in the middle of the desert. Dougie is the tour mascot and marks our lunch spot every day.
Second, simpler Coke stop of the day.
Outside the El Amir hotel in Ras Ghareb. General daily routine is a hot soup at 4 PM to replenish salt loss, then dinner at 6 pm. Today's meals were cooked in an alleyway to the right, where riders are lined up.
As we get further from Cairo, hotel infrastructure is becoming simpler and less reliable. This is the classic "shower on bath". Unfortunately, the hot water heater in the upper left was not working, so it was a cold shower today.
21° C and not a cloud in the sky. We followed the coastline along the Gulf of Suez. The Sinai peninsula was readily visible across the narrow strip of water, which was an astoundingly beautiful two-tone turquoise. Enormous tankers were queued up in anticipation of entering the Suez Canal.
The breakfast line at Ain Sokhna's Dome Marina Hotel. We also had dinner here the night before. Both meals were very generous buffets with authentic Egyptian food.
Egyptians do make an attempt to hide their cell towers in palm trees.
Many resorts along the coast. I saw one that was Asian-inspired with pagodas.
Our first real "Coke stop" of the tour. This was rather expansive rest stop with tour buses parked in the lot. Other Coke stops will be much more humble.
Sizable food court inside the Coke stop.
Not Starbucks, but . . .
Tim with new friends and a popsicle.
As we rode further along, the buildings became more and more sparse. Some resorts were totally isolated in the barren desert landscape.
Lunch stop. The staff manages to prepare a very healthy and tasty meal in the middle of the desert. Dougie is the tour mascot and marks our lunch spot every day.
Second, simpler Coke stop of the day.
Outside the El Amir hotel in Ras Ghareb. General daily routine is a hot soup at 4 PM to replenish salt loss, then dinner at 6 pm. Today's meals were cooked in an alleyway to the right, where riders are lined up.
As we get further from Cairo, hotel infrastructure is becoming simpler and less reliable. This is the classic "shower on bath". Unfortunately, the hot water heater in the upper left was not working, so it was a cold shower today.
Tomorrow, a slightly shorter ride. The forecast is for tailwind all the way. It will also be our first night camping.
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