Siwa - Day 7

Seventh day trip to Siwa 5th of March, 2010 21:26

Total Distance 834.07km
Distance 209.37km
average speed 25.4km/h

Excerpts from my diary:
Made it to Siwa today, I feel normal, after all it isn't a multi-thousand kilometer trip or a few months long trip, but i can say it has been great cycling that road.
Today a guy at the rest house told me he felt an inner peace when he saw me. I can never imagine myself leaving that effect on someone. I do want to give hope and be an inspiration to many.

Yesterday has been tough, the usual high speed wind against me, lots of tractors, specially coming from the opposite direction.

My stupid cheap rear panniers gave me a hard time. I'll buy Ortliebs that's it, even though I can't afford it.

I loved how the desert expanded on my left and right. After 100km I took a left turn and just 20m away from the road I camped. This is how safe I felt, and a man with a broken car asked me for water for his truck the next morning and I gave him a bottle.

The weather has been magnificent today, wind in my direction and not too much sun.

I seized the opportunity and thought I better take the whole distance today and I did 210km in one day, a record for me.

I have a lot of left over food, hope I finish it with the friend and save some food money.

I'm happy, peaceful and calm...

Photos link:
http://picasaweb.google.com/sherif.halim/SiwaDay7#

Siwa Oasis

View Cairo-Siwa Bicycle Trip in a larger map

As I await for my Novara Randonnee, which is in NYC by now. I start preparing for a new trip to Siwa Oasis, a place i have never been to before and just the stories you hear about the place gives u shivers all over.

This will be an 800km trip, i will do it alone, hopefully! it should take me 6-7 days to arrive. I will then be joined by my friends Farid and Hala in which we will spend 5-6 days in the oasis exploring and enjoying it...

I started with the packing list today. Got out my sleeping bag which needs a bit of fixing and hopefully will work on the tent. I made sure the stove is working fine. I disassembeled my Ergo Lo-rider from the old wheel and it's ready to be assembeled on the new one.

Wish me luck, i need all the support you can offer