Day One was a pretty interesting ride. We started with a pretty (well, very) slow convoy out to the pyramids. We sat around there and applauded ourselves for a while until we felt sufficiently good about ourselves. I managed to find a cup of coffee and keep up a veneer of civility.
The Australians ready to rock and or roll. I mostly did the rolling around, trying to remember how the whole bicycle thing worked.
Back row, right to left: Stuart, Me, Rod, Adrian, Patrick.Front row, right to left: Julianna, Annalise, Wayne.
The convoy from the Pyramids out of town was crazy hectic. About 10 police cars and motorcycles. They blocked each exit and entrance to the highway for us, so there was a lot of upset Cairenes wondering why they couldn't get to work that morning. Some local riders joined in and gave everyone the heeby jeebies - cutting in front of people starting a 11k bike ride isn't as awesome as they thought it was. One person flatted twice and lost their EFI status on the first day.
After 32km of pandemonium and Eventually we got to the real start of the day's riding and were free to get on with it.
The landscape was pretty desolate the whole way. I stuck with the second or third group for most of the time until I started to cramp after around 120km. I guess that the whole not drinking will do that to you. Luckily it was only one more hill until camp so I didn't suffer alone too much.
Riding in a group is pretty novel for me. Doing mountain biking, you are normally riding alone, and even if you are in a tight group, there doesn't seem to be much communication. On the road, nearly everything warrants a hand signal, which is pretty lucky, cause a pothole can really ruin your whole day. Despite that, it is pretty peaceful. I'd say it was more relaxing that riding alone - the noises of other people's bikes seems to be quite calming.
Camping was out near a rest area just off the highway. Pretty unremarkable all around. Managed to get my tent up without any angernons.
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