Paris Dakar Stage 19 to Stiles

Stage 19 of 60, day 23 of 71: 140 km, 1529m, 5:36, 334 shifts, ave speed 24.9, max speed 58.2

After a big day riding and a huge dinner I fell asleep so quickly and deeply. It was weird in the morning waking up in a bed – I was momentarily unsure where I was! Andrew and I went down for breakfast at 7:30 and it was a bit sad compared to the normal Bike Dreams fare. Just some toast with olive oil and tomato sauce or jam. And some weak pastries, plus orange juice. I ate as much as possible then packed up and brought my bag across the square to the truck and got my bike ready. We had a surprise announcement that our cook’s assistant, Frank, had had enough and was not continuing. He was scheduled to work just a few more stages to Granada.

We finally headed out, in a big group. It jelled into the inevitable paceline after a few km. Rob and our new rider Dennis were leading. They continued for a really long time, maybe 50 km until we reorganized after a failed attempt to find an open bar in a small town. All of this was through pretty boring, flat terrain, with a slight headwind. Next Wytze and Rob had the lead and held it to 72 km. It was more interesting riding now at least. We stopped for food and water even though there was nothing open. Daniel used the internet and phone to find an open bar in the town 5 km ahead. While we were eating cookies and drinking lots there, we got the word that Ype had the lunch set up at 80 km, just ahead of where we were. He had been delayed by what could’ve been a bad problem: Brian’s rear wheel gave up the ghost completely halfway through yesterday’s stage. He had to stay in Villarobledo until the bike shop opened, and get a new wheel or a new bike. In the end he was only delayed 1 1/4 hours and had a new wheel that worked!

We cruised up to lunch where most people were already eating. It was delicious as usual, but I made a little error and only drank one cup of drink and forgot to take an electrolyte tablet. I headed out with the regular crew, Wytze, Andrew, Daniel and Bart, and we cruised nicely to about 108 km. Climbing the last hill I felt cramps coming on in one leg. At the top I said I needed to stop and they were all super happy to stop at a little bar that was seemingly serving the whole town. The town was called Bienservida which was fitting. I counted it up and the five of us consumed four liters of liquid refrescos there. Plus I had electrolytes in two forms.

I felt good when we left, even though it was 3pm, the hottest time of the day and it was roasting. Right out of town the day’s biggest climb started. But somehow it wasn’t that bad and soon we were jetting down the other side.

We had a final 15 km to do, with a couple more climbs but then made it to Stiles where we stopped just in time as the bar was about to close. But they had time to give us all beers with some nice snacks: cold pasta salad with tuna plus salty potato treats.

Then we cruised the last 2 km to camp. I was reasonably flamed and sat down for a giant bowl of thick vegetable/noodle soup first. Others were pealing potatoes to help out Emily, the cook. Then I set up my tent, scoring a covered area, even though the chance of rain is exactly 0%. The shower was great. I did laundry, then found a place where the camp WiFi worked. Jan arrived and bought us ice-cream, thanks Jan!

Dinner was mashed potatoes, green beans, salad and grilled tofu with mushrooms for me. Yum! For once I didn’t like the wine but Jan was a hero and traded me a glass of beer for my wine. By 9 I was ready for a long sleep 💤