HONORARY KIWI
A buns-of-steel day
One day, our route is 44 kilometers on a dirt road. It's super challenging because the road is so rutted and we don't want to end up in the wrong rut. We we have lots of up-hills and while not so steep, it is hard on the buns because it's so bumpy.
After a delicious lunch with lots of vegetarian options, we face 14 kilometers that are all downhill and super bumpy. Two people have already wiped out and the refrain Wipe Out from the song keeps going through my mind. This part of the ride is so exhilarating! It’s going very fast down the mountain and super focused on avoiding the roughest spots - standing up to spare the butt pain and having my head jostled in turn. It is so much fun!
We meet up again at a clear spot to let everyone catch up. We then cheer on the locals who are on the way uphill. It feels like we are at the Olympics. We are all so high from the adrenaline rush. The New Zealanders’ decide to make me an honorary Kiwi as they can't imagine any American doing this with such relish.
ALONG THE WAY
That evening, Hillary is the recipient of Nutmeg for her spectacular wipe out which was unfortunately caught on a photo.
The landscape is also spectacular. While we are waiting for others to catch up, Dezi our driver (when we aren’t bicycling) and I clown around with me putting lipstick on him so we can both match.
When we arrive in the next town of Antsirabe which is the third largest city, Dezi takes us to the obelisk showing the 17 tribes of Madagascar - each with a pictorial representation. He proudly points to the one which is his tribe.
A DAY OFF
We have a day off in Antsirabe where Dezi drops us at the bustling public market. There is lots of everything here: produce, clothes, hats, baskets, tools and more. We take the ‘push push’ bicycle back to the hotel. The streets are crowded. It looks like disorganized activity with the motorcycles, public transportation vans, tuk tuks, push pushs and people. Vibrant and colorful!
Looking forward to the peaceful countryside