Disaster

I leave the curtains open in the hotel this allows the first sounds of the call to prayer to be easily heard and the first rays of light to penetrate.

The bed was really comfortable and i found it hard to get vertical. The room had a little kitchenette so i made porridge and coffee. I dont really look at the time but when the sky turns from morning grey to light i am usually on my way.

Some of the road was not in the best repair

That orange really pops. I cycled a good distance and unsighted from the road to select this spot for coffee..

The scenery was epic, straight road, mountains each side, dome fantastic rock formations. The wind was negligible and the riding a joy. The cool early start is what a cyclists life is all about.

2 separate guys stopped and gave me water. Oman really is great.

Then at 60kms exactly, i heard my tentpole bag rubbing the wheel.

And on closer inspection i notice that both bolt holes to my mini frame had broken off. 😲😬

Ok there was swearing 🤬. I took some deep breaths (thank you Wim for your words in my ear) to calm myself.

The decision is, Do i hitch forward tο Ibri then back to this spot or do i hitch back to Al Buraimi then forward again to this spot.

I decided to hitch back and within half an hour Saieed had stopped in his pickup the bike was in the back and we were on our way. Saieed spoke reasonable English but, welder, stumped him he phoned his son and we sorted out what i wanted and Saieed took me straight to a metalwork furniture fabricator.

Of course a lesser man (more sensible man) would have gone back to the hotel 100meters away. But no, i just jumped on and started to cycle. It’s now 1pm and sooooooo 🔥. I last about 90minutes find some shade and colspse under a bush. It wasnt a suitable place to stay long. So i soon got it together and rode to where i had siopped for coffee in the morning and stopped. I’m going nowhere else grrrrr.

I did ride cautiously but so far the weld is holding up.