I knew today was going to be a spikey day. I’d seen the profile on Komoot. And I knew I was close to the bottom of the 1st climb.
It was blowing a hoolie when i awoke and as a consequence I didn’t cook breakfast I had the aforementioned, 5 dates and a Kiwi fruit.
Practically all my packing I can do inside the tent but footprint and the tent itself obviously has to be done outside. The footprint I fold snd roll my tent poles in to protect the poles, this was done fairly efficiently, but the tent, I usually fold and roll, but this was impossible so I use the age old just stuff it in the bag method, to my surprise it worked.
About 15mins into my ride I came to a town, not marked on my map, this does seem to be a recurring theme, best I write to Garmin or Komoot or both.
I bought some water in the town then the road went up it topped out at 1440 meters the ride really wasn’t that spectacular but definately tiring. But as I got over the pass the views were just spectacular.
My route turned off the road and onto a rough track and from then on it was just gravel.
Numerous occasions I stopped and walked, the combination of not being fully fit and some real tough climbs, possibly not fueling enough may have had an influence.
I climbed 2 and a half high passes….. there are more tomorrow (a little lower I think) I started to search for a camp spot at about 3.30 but was just not satisfied, there were so many people/kids with sheep hanging about. So I just kept riding. I was very tired at this point. As I was walking a man was coming down with a donkey. I asked if I could camp under some trees. He’s said they were not his but I could stay on his property, we walked back, found a spot.
He brought his brothers out to see me and gave me some bread and soup…. classic end of day ramadan meal.
It’s about 7.30 and i’m tucked in the tent, it’s raining and blowing a gail the tent is intermittently flattening onto my nose, its going to be a windy night.
Then at about 11, 2 guys shone a light and woke me, they said you can’t sleep here in Arabic/French. I told them I had permission from the house owner…. they said not here. They checked my passport then disappeared but I could hear them talking. And at about 11.45, 7 police turned up…. I wasn’t well pleased. They demanded I pack my stuff up put it in their police car and that I sleep near the local police station. So 12.30 I’m unpacked again by the police station in Bad El Mrouj.
In the car the policeman said there were marajuana gangs about…. kidnapping and stuff. Despite my gruff, unhappiness all the police and all concerned were, friendly, helpful and accommodating in this aspect they really do get full marks.
A Couple of Days Ride Outta....... 