Never any easier

I slipped down some stone while getting to a camp spot the other day. Grazed a few bits, but also bent my back brake rotor. I have ridden a couple of quite long days, camping wild.

I am doing an out and back route over Jubal al Akhdar. These initial rise is hard then it gets harder, kicks of 14,15,16%. I started with naivety that I would do it in one… this was not the case I broke like a lamb stopping many times. 2000meters I got to a hotel at the ‘top’, I was pooped. I went in and asked for food. Resturant closed. But I knew there was a town below. The guy said it was all down. 15 km later every third kilometre was up hill at 15%. I finally went round a bend and the near vertical wall stopped me in my tracks. I had run out of water and only had some cream cheese slices to eat. I waved down a car and he promised me this was the last climb then shops and food.

Sleeping by the side of the road. I could not go on.

The next morning still more climbing. Till a cafe at the very top 2500m I think. I ate everything. Then went to the end of the road and turned round and started to ride back.