124 km, 1853 m total climbing, 28°C high temperature.
Another challenging day, piggybacked on two consecutive days of 170+ km.
Early morning view of the Luangwa River, clearly at a relative low point now.
We had a challenging morning climb. We basically went up and down continuously for 50 km, gaining 700 m in geographic elevation, but our total ascent was over 1100 m by that point. Hill after hill after hill.
The road quality was generally good, but there was definitely some deterioration of the Great East Road on today’s ride. Many potholes, and I got a rear flat when I hit one after taking my eyes off the road for a split second to put my water bottle away.
Granite peak in the distance.
After lunch, we had many more ups and downs, but a gentle tailwind assist moved us along.
Today’s ride was in more desolate countryside than we have experienced for most of Africa. There were a few villages, but very limited in the number of people along the road, so it was quite peaceful as we pedaled.
Our bush camp tonight was at Mukonka Primary School, again on the soccer field. We occupied half of it, but that did not stop the kids from kicking around the ball on the other half of the pitch.
Tim and Joanne were transported by TDA staff directly to Lusaka (our destination for tomorrow) this morning. Joanne will need to go to another clinic and get some additional studies done there. We will meet up with them again tomorrow afternoon when we arrive by bicycle in Lusaka.
We also learned that Eero’s fractured fibula has healed with clean Finnish living, and he will be rejoining our group in Livingstone, ready to ride again.
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