Bryce Walsh: Ultracyclist

Twitter Weekly Updates for 2012-02-05

Bryce — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 04:02:00 +0000

Stage 13 route board. Not very complicated when theres only 1 road http://t.co/SuohcyMa #
Stage 13 done. Finished witth lead group. It is safe to say we all know who would be voted off racer island today. Forced skipped coke stop #
Sunsets in the desert are quite extraordinary. Pic from my tent doesn't do it justice http://t.co/BaKtT7eC #
http://t.co/DDNzroTq Finish: dodge goats at checkpnt for sprnt #
http://t.co/F4ZfAFq2 20k TT today to a chocolate malt and rest #
I am in a hotel with a toilet and shower and even wifi, I feel like I'm in future land #tda2012 #
poor sleep when clean in a regular bed, seems I have become acclimated to the #tda2012 already #
yep, jurgen is racing the #tda2012 Claims it opens his lungs. http://t.co/447zZSi0 #
I just had my misplaced cell phone returned to me. I may now return to compaining about internet speed in the Sudan desert #
RT @tda2012: @BryceWalsh being taken out by the mask of zorrow girls http://t.co/yz7EDLR9 <– TTs are serious business #
Managed second on the 20K TT yesterday. Happy with that for a short little stage http://t.co/PSzHCMuH #tda2012 #
@supertrackracer heh, old man legs, but also means old man strength #
Stage done. Played general and organized a rotating paceline to fight the wind. Jurgen, Raffael, and I got a gap. 2nd in sprint #tda2012 #
Two bikes stolen from camp last night. Report Is that the police are very nice and know the best restaurants. #
Stage 17 route board. Mando day. Time bonuses up for grabs http://t.co/tc1eyHBQ #
If I were in mpls today rather than Sudan id ride the stuporbowl #nextwinter #
First time on the ground today. wheel in too tight a space. Bad day for it. Made it to finish 4th, gonna be sore #
@ahuntre a grand tradition I have yet to return for #
http://t.co/smogqgos painful stage, washboard and sand. knee #

Aswan Egypt to Khartoum Sudan on the Tour d’Afrique

Bryce — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 12:52:44 +0000

Many days and many changes. The traveling carnival continues. A week in review.

Egyptian riders left at Aswan After pulling the peloton along much of the time, the Egyptian riders headed back to Alexandria when we reached Aswan.

Egyptian riders road with us from Cairo to Aswan

Crossed Aswan Dam to the sound of Robert playing harmonica and making up blues lyrics about going to Sudan. Actually it was more of a limerick than song lyrics, but it was original. No photos allowed.

“Shit-storm” of a ferry crossing (actual term used by Sharita to describe process)
The ferry was an eye opening experience for me. Overbooked, packed full of every type of person and package you can imagine. Nearly every human yelling and smoking. My claustrophobia was kept just at bay by holing up in my cabin and listening to music at quite loud volumes to drown out the cacophony.

On the upper deck. Last beers before entering Sudan

Camped in an abandoned zoo in Dongola. A very pleasant camping area, but a sad zoo. Had excellent chicken dinners and tea at a stand around the corner.

Camped near a large number of dead camels appropriately named “dead camel camp”

Dead Camel Camp - Yes there were many dead camels

3 longish hot days riding through the desert. 40 deg celsius Im told. We followed the route camels are brought up to Egypt for auction. Story around camp was camels do not outwardly show illness and commonly drop dead as they are walking.

Traffic Jam in Sudan Desert

Individual Time Trial A human pyramid of Zorros cheered riders on in the first few kilometers. Why Zorro? I am uncertain.

A Band of Zorros - They formed a human pyramid on the road when each rider went by in the time trial.

Convoy into Khartoum The toughest rides of trip. Hot temperatures, safe speed, and rather un-scenic route through the city.

Preparing to convoy into Khartoum

Hotel with shower and clean clothes I never knew I could be so dirty and not notice it. I’m getting used to desert camping.

Tomorrow we begin eight days in the desert. Two days on tarmac than road surfaces deteriorating to off road.

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Follow My Wheel on the Tour d’Afrique Stage 8

Bryce — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 06:03:55 +0000

Follow along as I negotiate the traffic in Egypt. Kind of like Chicago but without the concern for lanes. No closed course for TDA. From Jon at http://more-erratic-wanderings.com who has some great pics of the tour so far.

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Twitter Weekly Updates for 2012-01-29

Bryce — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 04:02:00 +0000

Robert accompanied our ride across Aswan dam with a harmonica improv #
My first souvenirs. Gifts from the Egyptian riders we've been riding with. They also taught me some Arabic slang http://t.co/zDunxV3P #
On the boat to Sudan.Will these people ever stop yelling? It seems no. Listening to my friend mikes iPod mix to escape the din. #Shipoffools #
Loading the boat has been many hours with people lying down in pathways, all open space has a person or some package in it. Pushing required #
This is our bikes on the ferry to Sudan. The most organized area by far #tda2012 http://t.co/UoIlLpSi #
http://t.co/vZmXyVGw in Sudan, no data access. very nice ridn #
http://t.co/n0qH1mC9 ttt done,now wind aided ride into dongola #
@sdoownek thanks for putting the word out. Finally have some internet access again after being in the Sudan desert for a few days #
Back in communication for at least a couple days. Last 2 nights camping in the desert. So many stars visible at night. Stunning #tda2012 #
Here was the Stage 9 route board. Couldnt send in the desert http://t.co/S1O2fEko #
Now camping at the Dongola zoo, perhaps the saddest zoo in the world as all the animals moved out. Now inhabited by cyclists once per year #
@akoch0629 oh yeah, a big off road race – tour divide. This one will have quite a few rough gravel roads #
New haircut and my first straight razor shave at a barbershop in Dongola, the latter could have gone a bit better. http://t.co/kSHaY8rY #
This is at customs to get into Sudan. http://t.co/j7Wq4iWy #
Had discussion about American politics with a Sudanese poly-sci grad at breakfast. Interesting talk over eggs and pita #
@shifra007 shoestring with my timing thingy, so I dont lose it #
@shifra007 only if I kill it with my barehands, otherwise its just cheating #
@moonhead @shifra007 goes without saying #
I ate a whole chicken for dinner last night. Tonight just half a chicken. #caloriedeficit #tda2012 #
Stage 12 route http://t.co/sGnVbyvq #
Stage done. Whole lotta wind out there. Didnt contest the sprint. Moved into 2nd overall. Tent setup and baby wipe shower complete. #Tda2012 #
@scottraam send one my way, 2 weeks ina dry country. #

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Twitter Weekly Updates for 2012-01-22

Bryce — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 04:02:00 +0000

Stage 3 done. 3rd place again, fast day much of it over 30mph. I got no sprint. #
@Kipphardt not too worried on the sprints, bit of joke since I dont usually do races shorter than 12 hours #
The gamesmanship has begun. Rutiger snuck away early today and skipped lunch to win the stage. #
The draw of a long shower has me in a hotel tonight. So much for that hard man image. #Htfu #
Learning south African English at a bar on the beach. New word of the day: Palaver #
Stage 5 route board. Bit of a climb coming up as we head back toward the Nile http://t.co/TDZYhY9H #
@shifra007 I wish there was a parka stashed in there #
@sdoownek it will be very interesting. They dont want to drop us, but like to push from lunch to the finish. I think avg speed will drop #
2nd place today when the finish line was 17K earlier than expected. So it goes. Very easy day today. Feeling stronger every day #
Bus driver sidelines by selling beer at the campsite. Hes gonna make a killing off me on this trip #
Every day I arrive at camp, set up my tent, and an official comes over and tells me I cant set up there. Its become a running joke #
Real sprint among 4 or 5 guys today Raffael took it again. I managed 2nd. #
easy ride into Luxor along the canal as kids tossed rocks, swung sugar cane and yelled I love you, hello, or money #
Nice writeup from Dave at @ultramidwest about my 2012 http://t.co/DvPHD1yk see you in the fall guys #tda2012 #
Awoke by a succession of unintended alarm clock, roosters, dogs, and cyclists having breakfast. Nap to come #tda2012 #
Startline photo with camel ride proprieter that wanted in on the photo op #tda2012 http://t.co/MaEc1XRi #
@sdoownek not really quickly moveable with the winds it would just fly away #
Good summary from Ian @tda2012 of the first week http://t.co/lHc6M9vD #tda2012 #
Stage 7 tomorrow Luxor to Iufo. Nearly out of Egypt http://t.co/X1okHDSP #
It seems my GPS tracker has been working the last few days, you can see where I'm at here: http://t.co/TCDtrLo1 #tda2012 #
Stage 7 done, what started as a pleasant ride along the Nile turned into a lung bursting break #tda2012 #
through checkpoints, rock throwing children, crowds spilling into the road and manic drivers with a myriad of inexplicable moves #tda2012 #
First stage win. Stage 7 http://t.co/G8xqE9Pt #
Camping on a soccer field. A lullaby of 3 or 4 competing muezzin sending me to sleep #
Stage 8 route board. Last race day before a few days getting into Sudan. http://t.co/4gWPhDJ8 #
Not too hard of a day, more obstacle course than race. Young Adam got away at a snarled rail crossing and rode in solo to the win. #
Next up the ferry to Sudan. 8 hours to load, 14 hours to cross are numbers thrown about. Efficient? Not so much #

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4 Days Down in the Tour d’Afrique

Bryce — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 14:25:27 +0000

First 4 days of Tour d’Afrique are over and its been more about becoming accustomed to the daily routine than anything else. I have already gained a great appreciation for toilets and showers. Cleaning up with baby wipes isn’t too bad. Washing up in the red sea was a bit chilly(before the military arrived telling everyone to get out of the water). A hot shower today made my day. I have been freezing since I arrived in Africa.

The day is very simple. Awake, eat, bike to lunch fairly easily, bike hard to the finish, set up tent, eat some soup, lay around, eat dinner, and off to bed often at 6 or 7 pm.

The racing has been fast. A large group usually to the lunch break than the pace picks up and the group gets whittled down to 4-6 riders. Always 2 Egyptian riders who are quite strong and using this first week with us to prepare for the Tour of Egypt.

Nearly everyday there has been some sort of disagreement about where we can set up camp.

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Twitter Weekly Updates for 2012-01-15

Bryce — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 04:02:00 +0000

Here we go. At airport on my way to Cairo. No ordinary trip #
Made it to Amsterdam. First leg down. Now train to town, Yotel, or sleep on a bench for a bit? #
Took a trip into Amsterdam and a bit of sleep on a bench, Cairo next stop #
@cdanrun honestly Raiders of the Lost Ark probably had a role my choosing this race #
Favorite quote from our guide while driving through Cairo: "It's very social in the circus" #tda2012 #
@fiddlehead the tourist spots are pretty lightly visited right now #
Burned out gov building off tahrir square http://t.co/T2wZH7l6 #
Visit to Museum of Egyptian Antiquities in Cairo http://t.co/HrzOC7vs #
I just unlocked the "Newbie" badge on @foursquare! http://t.co/O5okWayW #
slow roll along the canal with a bunch of #tda2012 riders, crazy Egyptian drivers, and the occasional mule or ox #
Last sleep in hotel. #Tda2012 starts in the morning. http://t.co/M7RtYxoe #
Doing laundry on the road. Great advice from @RobbieVentura for #tda2012 . Just used this trick http://t.co/x64STrp1 #
First stage done, tent setup without mishap, eating a lovely soup. Great first day. Tailwinds and new tarmac. Felt great #
Non race day today due to leaving Cairo. Tomorrow mandatory race day with time bonuses up for grabs #
Stage 2 route board #tda2012 http://t.co/Iab6orq3 #
Third on the stage today. A good start. Some Egyptian team riders are with us for the week they kept the pace high #
@readyforplanb we are camping by the red sea. Dont know quite where. Putting a location on this tweet #
@sdoownek yeah, they didnt stop us. Just sort of looked on bemused #
Day 3 route board http://t.co/17YpWDhr #

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Jet-lagged and approaching Cairo

Bryce — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 20:29:45 +0000

I’m a few hours from landing in Cairo for the what I hope will be one of my greatest adventures. Nervous would be an understatement. Ive biked far and long, probably further than most anybody you’ve met. Ive biked further than most people have driven a car in one stretch. I’m not nervous about biking 7300 miles. I am nervous about giving up everything I know and the many possibilities of what can happen. No home, no job, no beers at the regular haunts or workouts with friends, no more of my routine that I’ve practiced and honed over the last 5 years. I say 5 years, because that is when I last shook things up by doing Race Across America.

Why am I going to Africa? That’s a tough one to completely determine. Part Raiders of the Lost Ark fantasy, part adventure in one of the last places not consumed by corporate chains and parking lots. Its because I don’t know much about it and it intimidates. It’s the scale of it. Bring on the longer, steeper, more extreme races.

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Twitter Weekly Updates for 2012-01-08

Bryce — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 04:02:00 +0000

“@TheInfinitLoop: The sale rules are up. http://t.co/7fA69bvL” Infinit 50% off sale. Only sports drink I can drink 20 bottles in one day #
@sdoownek Monday, 1 week to go #
50% off infinit until noon. sale code THESALE2012 http://t.co/mUGouv5V #
New bike for #tourdivide is nearly ready to roll http://t.co/u9WgSsXq #
@ahuntre usually not much, but I'll be wishing for it as I cross Sudan in a few weeks I bet #
@ahuntre sad news and cause for concern . I will not be in darfur. Further east #
Beautiful day to get rid of most of my possessions and throw the rest in a closet #
Malaria supply filed, salt tablets sorted, nearly done with my to do list #
Bike to the south pole http://t.co/aoqS9B6v #
I've accumulated a great deal of junk in 10 years. Nearly all donated, stored, or trashed now. Last night in the hobbit hole #

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Twitter Weekly Updates for 2012-01-01

Bryce — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 04:02:00 +0000

2 generations of @Litespeed_Bike at @vqcoaching http://t.co/QlbRykJb #
I have a Sudan visa. Many thanks to friends and family that made trips to the embassy on my behalf. Now Ethiopia #
list getting smaller. Immunizations done, last visa submitted, desk cleaned, @spot_messenger activated, unlocked phone #tda2012 #tourdivide #
The last few hours at the job I've had for 5 years. Onward to being a bike bum.. at least for 6 months #
Every dollar donated to World Bicycle Relief until the end of today gets doubled http://t.co/ex0jL84i @PowerOfBicycles #
It was good of the northern chicago suburbs to skip road repairs to aid in my africa training #

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