by Henry
Today was a blessedly easier day with the promised tailwind pushing us all day. 137 km, 22° C, and sunny skies. We passed the southern tip of the Sinai peninsula, and can no longer see land across the Red Sea to the east.
The frustrating hitch was a delayed start because we could not locate our hotel room key, which had vanished overnight. Our daily bags had already been loaded on the truck, and we even pulled those bags and searched again, to no avail.
Leaving the town of Ras Ghareb in the morning, we encountered a gauntlet of young school kids who don't understand bicycle etiquette the way we do. They were excited to see us, but one of them slapped me pretty hard on the arm. Fortunately, no harm done.
We continued our travels on the same highway M65, with very high-quality asphalt and wide shoulders. The speed limit was 140 km/h in certain stretches, rivaling Montana.
It appears this area has consistent wind, hence the rows and rows of windmills.
The excitement for the day was the first flat tire of the tour. Tim, always the Good Samaritan, jumps right in to get his hands dirty. There are a total of seven of us helping to repair this flat by committee, or 20% of the riding group. Jeff is looking for the leak in the tube, but the puncture hole is too small, and he doesn't succeed because it is too windy. It may not look like I'm doing much, but I'm holding the bike from falling over; Linda's taking pictures. All very necessary . . .
Entrance to El Gouna, a planned seaside resort community, our evening destination. Looks like an expensive community with seemingly all new construction. Police are guarding the entry gate.
Our daily soup is ready at 2:30 PM today, because of everyone's early arrival due to the wind's assistance. It may not look like much, but it is very tasty.
Open air, cold water showers at our campground.
Our campsite is behind the Egyptian House, at El Gouna (tilapia) Fish Farm.
Tent sites around one of the fish ponds.
Dinner was hearty and tasty, with generous portions of chicken. The staff also provides very adequate food for the vegetarians or vegans. It really is amazing what the camp cook can concoct with a propane tank, a couple of portable burners, and a portable propane oven.
The frustrating hitch was a delayed start because we could not locate our hotel room key, which had vanished overnight. Our daily bags had already been loaded on the truck, and we even pulled those bags and searched again, to no avail.
Leaving the town of Ras Ghareb in the morning, we encountered a gauntlet of young school kids who don't understand bicycle etiquette the way we do. They were excited to see us, but one of them slapped me pretty hard on the arm. Fortunately, no harm done.
We continued our travels on the same highway M65, with very high-quality asphalt and wide shoulders. The speed limit was 140 km/h in certain stretches, rivaling Montana.
It appears this area has consistent wind, hence the rows and rows of windmills.
The excitement for the day was the first flat tire of the tour. Tim, always the Good Samaritan, jumps right in to get his hands dirty. There are a total of seven of us helping to repair this flat by committee, or 20% of the riding group. Jeff is looking for the leak in the tube, but the puncture hole is too small, and he doesn't succeed because it is too windy. It may not look like I'm doing much, but I'm holding the bike from falling over; Linda's taking pictures. All very necessary . . .
Entrance to El Gouna, a planned seaside resort community, our evening destination. Looks like an expensive community with seemingly all new construction. Police are guarding the entry gate.
Our daily soup is ready at 2:30 PM today, because of everyone's early arrival due to the wind's assistance. It may not look like much, but it is very tasty.
Open air, cold water showers at our campground.
Our campsite is behind the Egyptian House, at El Gouna (tilapia) Fish Farm.
Tent sites around one of the fish ponds.
Dinner was hearty and tasty, with generous portions of chicken. The staff also provides very adequate food for the vegetarians or vegans. It really is amazing what the camp cook can concoct with a propane tank, a couple of portable burners, and a portable propane oven.
We all retire pretty shortly after dinner. Tomorrow is a shorter ride, and there are supposed to be tailwinds again.
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