Ethiopia & The Gorge

An epic climb, at the end of an epic day, on the last day of our epic week.  The TDA has successfully completed our longest stretch of consecutive riding days in a row.  If the back roads of Sudan were not a true enough test of who is here to EFI then certainly the last two days of climbing were it.

Thinking back on all that has happened between our last rest day and now, I’m not sure if it feels  like a month or more like one ‘epic’ly long day.  Full days in the saddle with 100 stories to tell as the sun sets each night.  Every rider with their own reason for coming and mantra to keep going, these inner worlds grow ever stronger with each passing day.  Listening to the rustling and rumblings around camp at sun set, the sounds quickly diminish with the day.  The heat of the day is done, calm has arrived, and as the debriefs of the day roll to an end, so do the riders.   Whatever the day had brought, a road side attraction, a wanted distraction or unwanted detraction, the story ends the same.   Muscles are spent, bellies full and it’s now time for bed.   Well done all.  More stories of epics and adventure to come, but for now ;rest.     

  —  Adele Woodyard