Paris Dakar Stage 31 to Goulmima

Stage 31 of 60, day 37 of 71: 96 km, 657m, 3:27, 224 shifts, ave speed 27.7, max speed 71.1

We had a late breakfast at 8am, so that gave plenty of time to sleep considering I went to bed about 9pm. Sleep was mixed with coughing bouts but I think I got enough. After breakfast, I felt slightly better than the previous day but still very glad we had a short and easy stage today.

It was a little after 9 when we headed out. We rode in the gorge for a little while, easy with no wind and a nice surface. Soon, Wytze pulled ahead, Daniel tucked in behind and we were in the groove. It was two recovering sick boys being towed by Superman, all day. Our first stop was in a town a bit before 40 km, sodas and tea and snacks. Ype had lunch ready at 54 km at an unlikely nice spot with shade.

We enjoyed lunch, then rode another 40 km to Goulmima and stopped in a café for the usual. Then to camp where we scored shaded tent spots by the (empty) swimming pool. Swimming would be nice but shade seems like an even bigger win. The day wasn’t all that hot, but the sun is pretty unforgiving. With a short stage, we were only out in it for 3 1/2 hours.

One sad thing for the day was Andre, riding peacefully along by himself, 20 km from the end. A car went to pass him but there was an oncoming one. So it plowed into Andre’s handlebar instead of slowing or hitting the other car. He was knocked off the road and his bike and it could’ve been really bad. As it was he lost skin in several places and it was super distressing. The drivers of both cars stopped and came to check on him – he gave the guy who hit him an earful. Let’s hope for no more of this, but it is luck and statistics in the end I guess.

I had some great snacks, delicious melon with mint, potato chips and soup. Then a nice shower. I found a lounge with WiFi and the very friendly camp guys gave me some tea to drink while writing this.

Then it was nap time again, and dinner at 7, tacos, and to bed for me. This time I’m equipped with earplugs, which seem like a really good idea given how we’re right in the town.