Alive in Iringa

Well howdee all. No pictures this time ... the computers are all a little slow and not too practical.

I'm well, strong and really enjoying the riding again ... not that i was not enjoying it as such - it was just a bit irritating being unwell and not doing what i wish to do. My stomach has settled very well and i'ver been riding very well again ... possibly too well and fast over the real shit roads ... getting some bruising and blood in the urine ... but that seems to be par for the course on this trip ... one ailment after the next ...


We arrived in Iringa yesterday and have a rest day today ... after seven days of tough riding. Iringa isn't anything amazing, and we are mainly using the day to relax, re-pack and major bicycle repairs, ceaning and conversions to tar roads again.

We have crossed the 6000km mark this week ... and have therefore passed the half way mark in kilometers ... yeeha!! BUT ... we only have 39 more riding days left and six rest places to relax in between ... which means an average of 150km, per day from tomorrow onwards ... aagghh ... that will be fun. The roads are more or less all tar - in reasonably good conditions. I therefor spent the morning putting slicks on my bike and had to rplace my saddle and removed my suspension seatpost. The bike also needed a real good clean after six days of mud, rain, dust, bumping. grinding and general abuse!!!

We said goodbye to Eric last week ... he has decided to return to Nairobi, where he was really taken by a hospital and the many AIDS orphans. He has achieved and experienced the most important aspects of this trip and feels he has another calling elsewhere ... good luck Eric and if you change your mind ... PLEASE do come join us for the last section ... we miss you.

We also say cheers to Richie, Donna, Trina and Ruth ... four sectional riders who just did Arusha to Iringa ... you definitelly chose the most amazing and beautiful section on the route ... cheers and keep reading here ...

Well, I'm looking forward to the tar roads again ... they definitely suit me better than the off-road ... although the last few days have been great fun!! I'm looking forward to seeing Andre (my brother) in Malawi in a weeks time ... with all the goodies I ordered!!