Stage 32 88kms, 20kph climbing unk Our first real stretch of dirt and rocks combined with headwinds, hot weather and sharp climb at the end had a little in it for everyone. Many kids had long machetes but were not too ill tempered. Remarkable number of small women with massive loads [...]
Stage 30 & 31 We took a small bus on what would have been these stages due to some social unrest and demonstrations. We are now in a town call Arba Minch over looking the Rift Valley, the place where our ancestors lived about 3 - 4m years ago. Our camp was [...]
Getting to know some of the riders. Robert Kieckhefer Phd Geophysicist enjoys touring by bike because it allows the chance to see a country up close and get good exercise. It gives you the opportunity to interact with people. Bob currently teaches at Chiangmai University in Thailand. Stage 29 escort into [...]
Forrest camp Mountain village Carrying wheat Blue Nile Gorge Big Guys We road from the other side Stage 27 - Forrest Camp to Blue Nile Gorge 88km, 5:39 hrs riding time, 15.8 kmh 6000 ft ( 20 km of climb). Wow! From the [...]
Church dating back to 14th century Exploring in Bahir Dar. The wise men were from Ethiopia Fresh potato chips in reused papers, delicious I wouldn’t want to be a chicken in Ethiopia Doctor Don at rest day costume party in Bahir Dar
This part of Ethiopia seems to have very little trash and can be quite tidy. Stage 26 - Farm Camp to Bahir Dar 61km, 3 hrs (Approx) Tricky nite, still not feeling well but rest day coming up. Peddled the best I could but weak. Lots of farm country and trees. More [...]
Typical Ethiopia farm Coffee fields Separating wheat Stage 25 - Gonder to Farm Camp 115km, 5 hrs riding time, 3100’ of climbing Sickness had hit in Gonder, but still able to ride. My strategy was to go as fast as I could and get into camp and a toilet as [...]
We find a sidewalk tailer that used his peddle powered singer knock off to repair my friend David’s tent. David is an analyst for Sky Telecom in the UK. Coming into Gonder Fanta stop with Coffee in back ground Sign near Gonder Stage 24 - Gedarif to Gonder [...]
Stage 23 - Gardereff to mountain top camp Ethiopia 99km (21.6 kph average), 4.58 hrs riding time, 3060’ vertical. Over 2000 years ago Heraclitus said that there is nothing permanent except change. Crossing from Sudan to Ethiopia was just that. Geographically and culturally. The dress has changed, no more burkas. Women are out [...]
Camel crossing at our lunch stop. Stage 22 - Gedarif to Gallabat ( one km from Ethiopian border ) 149 km, 6:20 hrs (23.7 kph. , 1650 ft. climbing) We were off the main road so it was nice to get away from traffic but the road had a lot of pot [...]
