Stage 2: Ain Sokhna to Ras Ghareb
A hard day made harder with moderate offshore gusty, cross to full frontal headwinds. Red Sea on the left, cliffs and large hills (well-known formations to the geos in the audience) often on the right (these giving way in the late morning to a bleak coastal plain). Lots of offshore oil production platforms out to sea, gas flaring along the beach front in amongst holiday villa complexes. Long straight sections, seemingly never-ending most of the afternoon.
Winds dropped off noticeably over the last 30 km on the day, and I managed to finish before sunset.
The last 6 km or do was a straight run-in to town on the Main Street. Egyptians are great; it’s typical that pedestrians, shopkeepers, taxis, kids for sure, all call out welcoming greetings or toot their horns when they see us coming. Our Police escort love getting their selfies, we’re waved through at check points or toll booths. If the route calls for a turn across the road, there’ll be a policeman there to hold traffic for us. Remarkable!
A somewhat basic hotel, but sheets clean and water (mostly) hot. As no dining facilities here, TDA took us all out to dinner in town. A HUGE amount of food laid out before us... all good to very good. Back to hotel and in bed by 7:30.
Another long day promised for tomorrow, this time with some moderate climbs; continue along the coast, sea on the left, hills or desert on the right. Hard to get lost.
Cyclists disappearing into the far distance; never did catch them until the lunch stop.
