A day in the life of the desert #SR2014

The 2014 Silk Route riders have had their fair share of desert riding by now, and there’s still a lot more to come! It took us all a while to get use to the way of this desolate landscape, so here’s a little bit of insight for those of you not lucky enough to be on this year’s expedition!

06:00 – The riders wake up just as the sun rises over the desert camp. Time to take the tents down

06:30 – A breakfast of either fruity porridge and bread or muesli with fruit and nuts is served

06:45 – The keenest cyclists set off to beat the heat, the rest are on the road by the hour

08:00 – The first wind arrives as the sun starts to heat the cool desert air – this can either work brilliantly in the riders’ favour or horribly against it

10:00 – 75KM done, the first riders arrive for at the lunch gazebos for a replenishing meal of sausages, salad, bread and condiments, watermelon, bananas and peaches as well as water and juice
11:30 – The back of the pack gets to lunch as the temperature soars past 30 Celsius

14:30 – 145KM completed as the fastest cyclists pull of the road and into the desert camp where hot soup awaits them
15:30 – The staff realise that they need more rope and stakes to keep the gazebos pinned down as the afternoon wind inevitably gets stronger

16:30 – The temperature rises past 35 Celsius as the back of the pack arrives with a staff member sweeping behind them
16:45 – Without fail someone will find a shop within cycling distance and bring back a backpack full of cold beers

17:15 – Most the tents are set up as the riders relax under the gazebos and behind the trucks in search of precious shade – coffee and tea is brewed

18:15 – Rider Meeting takes place to go over tomorrow’s route and any other topics for discussion
18:30 – Dinner is served; a meat option for the carnivores and a veggie option for the herbivores plus a salad for all

18:40 – “Open Kitchen!” is called as the kitchen is opened up for riders to help themselves for seconds (and thirds)
19:00 – The group tends to split into those who like to recuperate by sitting and chatting and those who want a bit more fun (i.e. playing keepy ups  with a football or swimming in a river)

20:00 – A jamming session is likely to occur with harmonicas, drum sticks and very questionable singing

21:00 – The last riders head to their tents as the sun sets on another successful day in the desert sun