On the road . December 2010 . Tunisia, Libya and Egypt
New Palace Hotel [website] Cairo, Egypt, 04-01-11
Quick dash to the border
Kairouan to 14km after Ben Gardane
(5 cycle days; 1 rest day; 512km; 1182m)
Kairouan to 8 km after El Hencha (99km; 245m)
8 km after El Hencha to 3 km after Smara (100km; 195m)
3 km after Smara to Gabes (84km; 195m)
Gabes to Houmt Souk (116km; 344m)
Houmt Souk to 14km after Ben Gardane (113km; 203m)
Slow start to a fast finish
I should
have read the early morning signs. The table we approach looks like
six hungry animals have scoffed what they can and walked off leaving
a disarray of food bits and service. I know the French do it too, which
is probably where this habit originated from, but I find eating off
the table quite discerning. Especially seeing as no-one in this hotel bothers
to clean it down in between patrons. I push everything aside
to make space for us and a man appears with a tray of breakfast items.
It is customary in Tunisia that a pastry, white bread rolls,
margarine, jam and coffee or tea be included in the price of your accommodation...
Tip
of the month: a door mat for keeping
your tent clean
If you would rather that the sand, mud and dirt stay outside
the tent, then why not set up a little doormat in the opening.
I'm not suggesting that a loaded cyclist cart a piece of rubber
carpet around, but instead use the resources around
you.
On occasions we've cut up shopping bags, spread out plastic sheets,
found old planks of wood or concrete slabs and improvised with
cardboard boxes. Even dry pine needles are effective, as are stones
and gravel. This little precaution really does help keep some of
those grimey elements out of your tent when the perfect patch of
green grass is not available to camp on.
Kairouan (Tunisia) - Cairo (Egypt)
Kilometres: a record 2121 km
Riding days: 22 in total!
Alti meters: 6298 metres up
Weather: cold desert patches, starting to warm up
Best accommodation: since we used it so many times this month:
our Helsport tent.
Special thanks to:
The couple who stopped to give us two cans
of almond drink, introducing us to this delicious Libyan
juice, ironically produced in South Korea • Abdu
the taxi driver who really tried his best to find
us cheap accomodation in Tripoli • Ahmed
the Moroccan man who made a mean cup of Turkish coffee;
who helped Ali find a gas fitter; and also presented us with
a takeaway lunch as a parting gift • Omar
in Misrata for his music tape and the directions to
the bus station • Barbara for
her wonderfully generous warmshower hosting in Al Bayda
and inviting around some very interesting people for
a chat
Breakdowns:
01: broken spoke (Ali)
02: broken spoke (Ali)
08: slashed tyre (Son)
17: flat tyre (Son)
26: flat tyre (Son)
