We awoke to cold temperatures, some cyclists reported around 4C (39F) in their tents, and everyone was a little slower getting up. Fortunately as the sun peeked over the horizon and we had a 4km climb to start we soon got through that cold. The next 20km were actually flatter as we mostly crossed a plateau including a few small towns. Monday morning and school children were out with books, though I couldn’t quite figure out where exactly they were going.
[See image gallery at bike2013.com]
We had a village at 24km and from this point to lunch at 66km the “rolling hills” were much longer, descending from one elevation and then climbing up to next point and repeating this. Near top of one of these hills I took image above of the fine shrine. This seems to be more Coptic area with both simple shrines and more ornate churches.
[See image gallery at bike2013.com]
As we passed through one town, saw these piles of dung carefully dried and then stacked together. We will also often see them next to houses in countryside, sometimes large groups of them. The climbs and descents were challenging but without too much trouble, made my way to lunch. I wanted to make sure I didn’t stop too much since at end of day we would synchronize with a convoy into Addis.

[See image gallery at bike2013.com]
After lunch, the route was actually flatter as we crossed one large town and then had some climbing to final ascent point into the city. It was about 3pm as everyone collected together. Our final entry into the city would be on major roads and mostly all downhill. I opted to take the truck since I had ridden 94km and descending tend to be cautious.

That was probably a mistake as in bizarre accident, I ended up chipping a tooth slightly. Better safe than sorry and so with another ride that needed to visit the dentist and a recommendation from local Ethiopian riders – found a good western clinic and had it looked at. Interesting experience to go through the city and then end up at fairly modern and western dental clinic.

We now have rest day in Addis Abada. We’re a little ways from middle of city, so probably mostly relax, clean and tune up things here at camp.

It was windy last night, could hear it rustling through the trees. This meant some headwinds today as well. We started riding across a village right after leaving camp. This was a general theme as we crossed many of these villages today. I am still amazed to see many of these villages with painted crosswalks, blissfully ignored by everyone walking the road, animals crossing wherever and general chaos on the roads.
[See image gallery at bike2013.com]
At 25km a larger town and a quick coke stop. After this at 35km we started climbing with a solid climb at 40km. Fortunately a lunch stop at 49km. Look carefully at child with red shirt on right and you’ll see “Obama” printed on the shirt. While not as common as “Fly Emirates” shirts that seem to be everywhere, there are also some Obama shirts seen occasionally.
[See image gallery at bike2013.com]
Lunch was close to top of the hill and at near 53km we crested the hill and then came down past a large Chinese concrete factory that was just below the top of the hill.

[See image gallery at bike2013.com]
At about 67km our descent started across another town and then close to edge of the gorge at 85km. We were camped beside the road, but not far from village with restaurant and wonderful views down to gorge below. As shown in photo above, some riders also took opportunity to watch a film.

I was thus as lunch as it was set up. Ate my lunch and descended down the hill. It was slow and easy with occasional stops. This brought me through one or two villages. The road had a few rough spots including some with brief pieces of gravel/dirt.
[See image gallery at bike2013.com]
At the bottom I was first to the bridge. I was first to leave and start the climb. Saw several baboons near the bottom. The first 5km were slow steady and warm. At 5km, I walked some and found that at least as comfortable. I then alternated some of both and had a coke stop at 10km from bottom. From here a slow steady climb and found myself at camp at 36km. Yeah! Tomorrow plan is to cross 3100m and the highest point on TDA ride.
[See image gallery at bike2013.com]
[See image gallery at bike2013.com]

Our first 20km were flat and even some downhill! At 32km we started a first longer climb. Fortunately it was still cool so I could put the bike in low gear and slowly ride the hill. The views were nice as we looked over the countryside. After this a village or two as we dropped into the next valley. Kids were better behaved today. I also saw two instances that looked like entire classrooms moving the second carrying chairs as well.
[See image gallery at bike2013.com]
[See image gallery at bike2013.com]
Some kids would say “money” or “birr”. I tried a few different ways of responding: either ignore it or instead saying “hello” but not sure yet on the best responses.
[See image gallery at bike2013.com]
Lunch was at top of a long hill. I had some difficulty eating more than half a sandwich. The afternoon we had slight descent and then climbed across Debra Markos town, one of the large towns we’ve crossed (other than Bahir Dar or Gondor). At entrance you could see several hotels listed. In general, small hotels seem to be more plentiful here than further north.
[See image gallery at bike2013.com]
The road out of Debre Markos was a bit rough, so even though downhill still tiring ride. We had a steeper descent at 109km and then at 113km the road turned to gravel construction. It had been long hot day with a lot of climbing so walked some of the gravel road. We had last few km of climb into camp and I was thoroughly tired at end of day but also with a smile on my face.

It was a beautiful ride through wooded and farming areas. There were even a few places without people around. The first 5km brought us out of town. After this some slow gradual climbs and descents but nothing very steep. Kids were also well behaved this morning. Photo below is of one of the shrines seen along the route.
[See image gallery at bike2013.com]
At 20km we crossed our first village. This village had two things I hadn’t seen much before: occasional small hotels and also local bikes with “bike shops” along the road. We had seen some local bikes but not as many before. At 37km was the first coke stop and several friendly and polite locals were watching. After this more grades to cross and also more trees than before. Without much trouble was into lunch at 85km.

Our camp is close to a village with many curious locals to observe us (and us them). One local rider got a soccer ball in Bahir Dar and donated it and a whistle to kids, so they are also keeping busy with that. As we are in more populated areas, we now also have “toilet tents” shown below. Holes have been dug in the tent and get some privacy though the tents can also get messy.
[See image gallery at bike2013.com]

The main streets of Bahir Dar are wide with median separating traffic. There are sidewalks and even crosswalks that people use, quick a contrast with villages we’ve crossed before. Quite a few different shops, sometimes with shops of a single type grouped together.
[See image gallery at bike2013.com]

Off the main street I found a narrow “sewing ally”. All these tailors each with their sewing machine.
[See image gallery at bike2013.com]

Getting to main market you find more stalls with spices and grains.
[See image gallery at bike2013.com]

The main market squares open up, a bit dusty and warm during the day.
[See image gallery at bike2013.com]

TDA truck parked at left as the cooks are off doing their shopping for upcoming days. Foods they prepare are come from what they find in markets like this.
[See image gallery at bike2013.com]

Thought this collection of child backpacks was interesting including a “barbie” backpack and one from “US AID”.
[See image gallery at bike2013.com]

Back on the main street found these folks clustered around a large board. As I looked closer, these were all “help wanted” postings for various employment.
[See image gallery at bike2013.com]

Ethiopia is known for its coffee, freshly ground and roasted.
[See image gallery at bike2013.com]

Otherwise a relaxing day. The days ahead should be challenging. We start with a 160km day, with some Ethiopian hills thrown in for sure; followed by a “mando” day; followed by “the Gorge”, 1600m of descent over 12km followed by the equivalent climb (in time trial) up the other side. So otherwise saving some energy and getting ready for the ride.
[See image gallery at bike2013.com]

On the ride first thing this morning we traveled through a village. Air was cool and most people were headed towards the village. Some with loads on their heads, others bringing donkeys laden with goods. Kids running along, as if heading to school. Most everything going to that little village and in middle you could see the extra bustle. The air had a whiff of smoke. Not sure if these are wood fires or dung fires, but I’ve seen both carefully stacked dried dung piles (think brown lumpy frisbees in a pile), but also people carrying large amounts of firewood sticks as well. The wood surprises me some, since I would have expected with some many people they would be de-foresting more of the area.
[See image gallery at bike2013.com]
After passing through the village the route went up and down over some low hills and then across a large open area. After this we slowly climbed again. Climbs on this part are easier than road from Metama in part because the road is more uniformly graded. If it climbs, it climbs at 5%-5%-4%-5%… instead of 12%-2%-9%-3%, etc. On this next stretch I had a rock hit me, didn’t even see the kid throwing it. These rocks are a but unfortunate, but subject of a later post and I still can mostly defuse the setup if I see the kids.
[See image gallery at bike2013.com]
Saw a few different agricultural items today as well. Longer deep trenches. Not sure why and not quite irrigation with how then would go down the hills but deliberately dug. Also saw a few pigs running along. Adding to the staple of goats, donkeys and horses.

A slow climb over this hill and then across again. Each hill and each bend in the road brought something new. At around 40km, saw a cluster of riders surrounded by a large mob of curious locals. Coke stop! So, I stopped as well and paid 8 birr for a Pepsi. It was fun answering questions and interacting.

After this brief stop a final ride across the Blue Nile exit from Lake Tana and then into Bahir Dar. Without much difficulty found my way to our stop. This was at a hotel. Those camping do so on the terrace roof of the hotel and others got rooms. Since I had a room in Gondar and that was just two days ago, decided for camping this time. Seems to be an issue with shower water, but should get sorted out soon. Now a chance to rest and be a tourist again before a challenging five day ride series.

Photo below is Yanez, normally assistant cook (and not a cyclist) but riding in today.
[See image gallery at bike2013.com]

Next photo is waterfall on Blue Nile that we visited (by a tour bus arranged by one of the riders)
[See image gallery at bike2013.com]

We went through agricultural areas with hay, some corn, cane and some other crops I didn’t recognize. There are still many goats and the donkey is the general beast of burden so far. We crossed several small villages to keep things interesting.

Started the day with 14km of mostly descent coming across and then down from Gondar to the road intersection from Metema. After this passed the airport and all new road to us. In early morning saw many kids with school books. As we left the city the terrain was rolling with at least as much down as up. Some kids and most were even friendly. By 44km we came into a valley and started a gradual climb as we crossed a larger village. After this the first steeper climb over a ridge and on other side was lunch.
[See image gallery at bike2013.com]
It was a little warmer after lunch, but temperatures at 2000m are nothing like we had in Sudan. I stopped briefly when saw a commotion ahead surrounding two New Zealand riders. One had a flat and was fixing it. I came in and helped keep some of the kids back otherwise fixing a flat becomes more fun with ~30 kids around poking and crowding to see how it is done.
[See image gallery at bike2013.com]
Not much later was a coke stop with several others at 80km. It was well placed since here was also the second larger climb of the day. On other side a good descent to 96km and right turn into the wind. Still pretty agricultural areas where started seeing larger haystacks and also some large square barns. At one point a car was stopped as occupants were busy strapping down a sheep to the roof that might have gotten loose. A bit much for me since the sheep was still alive.

We camped at vacant field off a road intersection. It was little past three and so nice ride overall. As was case in Ethiopia, our camp was marked with a red perimeter line. Watchful villagers from the area where outside looking in at the overall commotion as our group arrived.

After dinner, myself and two others were on pot scrub duty. This duty rotates amongst the riders and isn’t particularly onerous as only after a month did it rotate to me.

Gondar Castle
[See image gallery at bike2013.com]
[See image gallery at bike2013.com]

Debre Berhan Selassie Church
[See image gallery at bike2013.com]
[See image gallery at bike2013.com]
[See image gallery at bike2013.com]

Delicious fruit drink
[See image gallery at bike2013.com]
Jimmy Buffet fans would like Ethiopia. The traditional clock times start at what would be 6am on a US clock. Hence, the clock above is actually a little past our 11am in the morning.
[See image gallery at bike2013.com]

Warrior statue downtown
[See image gallery at bike2013.com]

Many things can be bought on the street, in this case coffins.
[See image gallery at bike2013.com]

Simple housing but with a satellite dish.
[See image gallery at bike2013.com]

Even simpler housing on side of a hill
[See image gallery at bike2013.com]

TDA has also posted our upcoming schedule which includes two days cycling, a rest day, five days cycling to reach Addis Adaba. Ethiopia is hilly so this should be challenging. I once again have a local SIM card. I don’t know yet whether the data network is as good as Sudan or Egypt so will need to see how many updates I can do from the road.
[See image gallery at bike2013.com]

We stopped briefly at lunch truck and then went to the border town: Gallabat (in Sudan) and Metema (in Ethiopia). Sudan had an exit form to complete and then we walked the bridge to Ethiopia where they checked our passports against large paper books. Mine passed the test, though this all took a while and both we and truck had cleared customs. After this we drove to camp on edge of town. I was slowly feeling stronger and even good enough to eat seconds.
[See image gallery at bike2013.com]
Diesel costs 2 Sudanese pounds per liter here or approximately $1.30 per gallon.