Check out Part 1 of this report here if you have not already.
After some tinkering, he was back on and we were off. The two Europeans were putting on a clinic on how to colonize the locals, IB and I were struggling to hold their wheels. I am not accustomed to being the weakest link but the heat, humidity and non-stop pedaling was slowly breaking me down (hey I have to have an excuse). There were hardly any downhills to rejuvenate my weary muscle and sitting on the wheel of skinny people at some point begins to become generate deminishing returns (insufficient reward from lackluster wind buffering). Right before we turn onto Kubwa expressway, I blow sky high, my heart rate is really high, my legs feel like anvils and it difficult to even stay upright, figuring that the chase car would move around me to Cather to his master “sorry sucker” I wave a resignatory wave and fix my gaze on my handle bar as the gap between me and the group continues to widen.
Miraculously, the driver Mazé motions me to hold onto the car while he bridges the gap for me (pro style). I could have kissed him, I held on thinking ” men! This is the kind of stuff the pros do!” Mazè slowly eases me to the group with the patience of someone repeating an action they are proficient at, it’s actually harder than it looks hanging on, I realized I actually had to pedal a little bit to keep me balance and since we were moving faster than my legs wanted to churn, in some way it felt harder than just crawling till I fell over on the side of the road. Back in the fold, I tucked in and hung on, ignoring the calls of my long lost concubine lady Cramps.
I’m the only one not sucking in my gut…i promise, they all have beer bellies too… ok, dont believe me then…
The group again stops for Lucato change his bike , as noted in the above picture he is now on a Cervelo also. We head towards Lifecamp roundabout and at this point my eyes a peeled for the most convenient exit via which to limp home. It is obvious I have a lot more work to do.
I end up making it to the end, I rode 53 miles that day at an average speed of 19.8mph with over 2k feet of climbing. Not bad by my standard, not bad at all.
Here are some other random pictures from other rides I took while in Abuja.
National Mosque in the distance, stunning to behold in person.
NNPC Plaza where Nigeria’s oil money is divied out.
love these kinds of shots..
like a plantain/banana plantation under the city. you see them usually under bridges. very fertile land Nigeria
i font know the name of this building but interesting Architecture
Mango seller… Tasted awesome, fresh and real
Gwari woman carry firewood in a calabash on her neck/shoulder
Selfie on my ride… no i do not own a selfie stick.
Next to Jabi lake.
Hotel being built next to the lake, opposite the shopping mall on the other side.
Hanging with my brother CEF on his roller blades.
Recovery meal: Native soup with periwinkle,dried fish,snail and cow leg.
Great trip overall, just HOT!
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