Friday, and another bike ride. We planned to take Maarten, who is leaving soon, on the Wadi Hof "the long way round" trail (see post of 12 February), which he was keen to do. However, Maarten whimped out and went kite surfing at the Red Sea instead, but we set out anyway (already getting used to Maarten's absence!). So at 8 am Piet, Marcel, Paul, Ruud, Willem and Floris assembled at the Katameya gate for an all-Dutch expedition. Temperatures, close to 40 the day before, were slightly more benign this day. We set off on the known route, past Paul's Point and up on the Wadi Hof trail. Willem did a back flip after trying to go over a large rock and Floris flipped over his handle bars after misjudging a soft sandy patch, both without any (physical) consequences. Up on the plateau the views were somewhat disappointing, due to the large amounts of dust in the air, but the trail was not less spectacular. We descended into Wadi Hof, which was by now boiling hot. On the long climb out of the Wadi, after 2 hours on the bike, Willem's lights went slowly out, and he had to be stimulated up by Marcel. On top Floris realised that the suggestion of bringing 3 liters of water was serious, when he drank his last drop. We cycled slowly back towards "the house", and on the last descent Piet was called by Willem: his rear derailleur hanger was bend, and cycling was not possible anymore. Piet cycled back up again, and after consultation with Marcel (already at the house) it was decided that Marcel would continue to Katameya and get his car to pick up Willem at the house. Willem could still freewheel-descent, and had to walk the flat and uphill trails. At the house Ruud was still waiting, we parked Willem in the shade and continued home, and saw Marcel retuning with the rescue car. And after a trip of more than 5 hours ( 3 1/2 hours cycling time) it was coke and snickers time again. And the rest of the day: more organising and ...... packing!
Piet speeding up one of the little climbs
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