T2T Day 12 22-Nov-2011 “Where the sand meets the sea …”
Lauyonne to Dakhla
Miles covered: 346 T2T miles so far: 2,820 Punctures : 0
Evening Meal: Tagine * 3
Road hours : 08:00 – 17:45
Southerly winds gently pushed the T2T team toward the Mauritanian border which made a refreshing change from fighting a savage cross wind. The on coming lorries were all flashing at the team but Jas figured they might be friendly and promptly waved to all – the returning waves from hardened desert truckers confirmed their friendly intent.
We chuckled at the cyclist warning signs but then overtook 2 separate bold (or insane) individuals cycling our route. The happy vibes continued with more waves as we sped past the masochistic peddle powered guys.
The scenery changed form small dunes to scrub and then to a wind eroded plateau that the road meandered through, time for a spot of lunch. Back on the road and back to the rocky and arid landscape that briefly came within sight of the coast.
The T2T team were plugged into their mp3 players and cruising, eating up the miles with consummate ease (Ahem, ahem….was it really like that?)
Dakhla is situated at the end of a small peninsula and the sight of the turn-off was a sight for sore eyes. The wind picked up but the scenery changed to a dramatic sand meets sea panorama with a ribbon of tarmac threading its way through it.
Undeniably pleasant though this stage was Jon commented that the combination of the encouragement of pedestrians and motorists and the over-sized T2T luggage made him feel as though he were running the London
The campsite was an easy find for once and the team set about making camp. Vilis and Maruda were waiting and greeted the T2T team as we rode in.
Jas following the tradition of looking after his steed before organising himself started bemoaning the state of his front brake pads that had all but disappeared. Ever the perfectionist he set about finding the reason behind the excessive wear by dismantling the front calliper. Nothing obvious but the master piston wasn’t sliding as smoothly as it should, too late to investigate thoroughly but it had cast a small shadow of doubt on T2T’s next move.
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