Paris Dakar Stage 3 to Bourbon-Lancy

Stage 3 of 60, Day 3 of 71: 136.6 km, 1855m, 5:47, 402 shifts, ave speed 23.5, max speed 60.9

I didn’t sleep as well but with the afternoon nap it was enough. Breakfast was the usual plus pancakes with jam and some yummy brie with avocado and tomato on bread. We packed up nearly dry tents, and left at 8:40.

It was rolling, more up than down, and not too hot yet. I broke my rule and took a 12 km pull at the front next to Andrew, just like old times! Then back to relax more. We found a café at 50 km and wow, sitting in the shade was so nice. I broke another of my rules and had a coke. I felt a little hyper right after but it died quickly as we restarted. Lunch was just 8 more uphill km, slightly hidden and a couple of people missed it.

I tried to overdo it on pickles, cocktail onions, peanuts, pesto etc and also had lots of bread, veggies and cheese. And especially drinks. With an electrolyte tablet for dessert. Fortified, we took off, climbing for a while to the highpoint of the day about 800m. The last 2-3 km was all shaded, awesome 👍👍 I added my white arm protectors which seemed to work well.

The descent was great, something like 30 km with short uphills but mostly fast, glorious downhill. At 99 km, Andrew and I exited the route slightly to get drinks, a very good move. Orangina with free chilled water from a very nice café owner will cure a lot.

Then it was back at it for a final 35 km, at the hottest time of the day. I didn’t overheat and we basically cruised to Bourbon-Lancy relatively easily. The track ended prematurely but with assistance from Google we made it to camp. The rumors we’re true: it had a functional swimming pool!! I went in first thing, then ate two massive bowls of spicy soup with salty snacks, set up my tent, shower, laundry, charging etc.

I called Katie before dinner, then we ate long and hard, salmon, and lots more, with more wine than we could drink and more dessert than we could eat! Rob’s briefing for tomorrow said we would eat at 6am instead of the normal 7:30. So maybe the heat will be better. Alarm is set for 5:30, good night!