Short day today – about 100 km – but I am running a little behind in the morning! Needed the bathroom (I am sure you needed to know this) – which meant taking a shovel and walking off into the hills – whole process took longer than I had anticipated!! But I rushed around and was ready to set off with the group at 7.10 – 5 minutes earlier than we had said! I made it!!!
So we went easy - - - for about 5k – then the speed picked up and we got faster and faster! Not managing to enjoy the scenery at all – but at least I am feeling a lot better than I have the last few days. Not feeling ill is a real bonus in itself – the good sleep despite the storm obviously helped!
We cycled past a shopping centre – with still 5 k to the lunch stop – and started joking about stopping for a cheeseburger!! Lunch today at 9am – I hadn’t even finished my sandwich before I see everyone getting back on their bikes ready to set off! I didn’t want to lose the group so I chucked down my sandwich and hopped off with them. After about 10k the speed picked up and we started losing people – I recorded 50 kmph at one section of the ride – so fast! Attack after attack and I was really struggling to hang on! Managed to! Was getting spurts of strength, then losing it, then feeling good, then losing it again ………..
However realized we were getting close to the end so began to think that maybe I could manage a sprint at the finish to win. Was feeling quite good! Speedo was saying we were at 94km so I knew we must be really close! The Egyptian riders took off so I went with them! Saw the roundabout and remembered the instructions to turn left – I looked around and there was just myself and the two Egyptians – so I went for it! It felt really good to win!! However I went bombing past the Finish line so quickly I had to turn around and go back to punch in – and by that time a couple of riders behind me had actually punched in their buttons ahead! Hopefully we can get that sorted - but anyway – all done – just before 10am!
Today’s camp is at a beach resort – 50 m or so from the water’s edge. So I put up my tent , changed into my board shorts and went for a swim and sat in the sea for a while. Felt really good!
We then wandered off down to the town and had a ‘proper’ meal indoors – for the first time for 4 days – really nice! Went to a shop and bought a load of snacks and am now walking back to camp recording this blog! Going back later to find some internet access – maybe also go to a Vodafone store for a SIM card. The afternoon is looking good! The sun was shining and it was lovely to sit on the beach and admire the view!
After our pizza we returned to camp for dinner – I actually feel full for the first time so I am officially happy!!
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