• Initially, we cycled parallel but not in view of the Nile. Mostly dry desert scenery, with just an occasional settlement. Gold mining towns we were told. Our first day had some tailwinds and while longest at 149km, was still medium riding. It was nice to soak in the river, though we also got our introduction to these small buzzing flies.
• After this, we more closely paralleled the Nile. There would be more settlements to our right. Unlike Egypt where even smallest towns might have two story buildings, here everything was single story, often surrounded by mud walls. Tallest here would be local mosque with minaret. We still cut across desert areas, but our proximity to the Nile also brought us many small flies. In the afternoon it became quite hot and was important to keep hydrated (I’m carrying 4.5 liters which seems to be enough for now, but have another 3 liter bladder I will likely pack in addition if it gets warmer). Our middle day was toughest for me so far on the tour
• After this we continued to parallel the Nile. What was different was that we also passed irrigated fields. More settlements and a little more populated. Eventually ended in regional center of Dongola. Still warm in afternoon but only 112km on third day.

The road is quite good with fairly light traffic. A few different things we see along the way:

• King of the road are these big buses that go very fast and with horns screetching and blaring. They stop for nothing.
• Little van mini-buses go much slower. Covered with Arabic lettering and often a wave.
• Local transport seems to be pickup trucks, some with a cab on back and often with many passengers. Good for friedly honks and wave.
• Some local box trucks but not much
• Donkeys and donkey carts are local field transport. Not much on the road, but we pass them by.
• Kids might have bicycles.

So far pretty easy to travel and with occasional “coke stops” as it gets warm.

Dongola is good camping in local zoo (only animals are statues and us). Yesterday was holy day, but town is more lively today. Still enjoying my rest day and getting ready for road ahead.
[See image gallery at bike2013.com]

It was a new adventure to pack everything and fit it into the locker, but having separate panniers works well since I organize first into the panniers and then fitting the locker (choke point with many people) is just putting them in.

With the time change, I was on the road shortly before 8am. It was cool at first and good riding. We left the immediate Nile area and while parallel to the river, didn’t see it until end of the day. There were a few gradual raised areas and what we were told were mining camps. Some tailwinds helped and I was at lunch stop at 78km.
[See image gallery at bike2013.com]
After lunch it got considerably hotter. My bike odometer said 39C or 40C including some reflected heat. At 90km that was just too inviting as we passed “El Beer” and a coke stop. Alcohol is forbidden in Sudan, so the term is something else. At 120km time for a second coke stop and then I was a bit slow cycling last kilometers to camp at 149km.

A refreshing soak in the Nile felt good, though also noticed some biting flies near the river.

We again followed the Nile past small towns, the last of these being Idfu. Our first 4km was back to main canal road and then along the irrigated areas on good roads. Winds were light and folks were riding pretty fast. At 15km I had been mostly by myself and followed a tractor for another 10km. After this with the group until fell of the back. So the police shadowed me for a while.

I caught back up to the main group at 56km when Marco had a flat.
[See image gallery at bike2013.com]
As you can see this attracted a large crowd of observers and then us watching this crowd. Not much later our lunch
stop right next to the Nile. A sign here also said “Welcome to Aswan”, presumably the province.

After lunch Daniel and I rode together, making the distance go a bit more quickly. Still it was getting hot and I said, “lets stop at the next coke stop we see”. Almost immediately, we came past a small cooler set out in hot sun. It looked suspicious but we went over and owner was glad to sell us cokes and invite us in covered awning. Just after this three more riders came past, so we becconed them to come over as well. By now a fun little conversation with owner including photo below as Tracy rode a donkey
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Idfu is a nice small town, so I went out exploring. Came past a number of market areas. Clear this isn’t on the normal tourist circuit, making it all the better. Overall, a fun day and glad I got in some extra stops.
[See image gallery at bike2013.com]
[See image gallery at bike2013.com]