Day 150 – Yazd, Iran
The Alarm is set on 6:30 AM to get enough time for my 170 KM ride to Yazd where I had to extend my Visa the next Day. To avoid that I become illegal in this country because it’s the last valid day of my Visa.
But I am not a Morning Person (said this so often), so no chance to bring me up so early. Somewhere around 8 AM I found myself standing on my feed, slowly brushing teeth, wondering around my room to pack my stuff while eating 1kg Bananas and the Cake I had bought the evening before for Breakfast.
Cycled out of Nain at 10 AM, stopped at the last bigger Turnaround to put some Sunscreen on and had a last look on the Map for this Day. I did a rough calculation by head to get some orientation for my ride. The orientation said: To make it happened I had to cycle from now till Sunset (5pm) with 1 lunch break and here and there 5 Minute stops to make it. Or just short, it will be riding till sunset. Still Possible with some effort.
The first 2 Hours were a Haven of a Road, light downhill, good tarmac and a massive Tailwind. 60km in the ride I stopped for lunch at a Gas Station outside of the town Agda which is famous for their Pomegranate but no time for sightseeing. The Restaurant at the gas station opened in 30 Min I didn’t wait so long. Went in the little Market next door, bought some sweet bread, juice and another kg Bananas. Set myself on a shady bench next the Market with the view towards the Gas station and other surrounded market. The scenery was my nice Lunch entertainment. Truck and Cars arriving and departure, People rushing in the Markets before heading the road again, locals socialising in front of the Restaurants and Markets. Two Boys heading in the Station to fuel up there Motorcycle, the boy who is riding is able to reach the ground with one food by leaning towards one side, he is maybe 9 Years old. Wile filling up their Motor the second boy try to help but brings more trouble than is useful with his 5 years. After filling up they jumped on again and drove away like every day Business. I finished my kilo Bananas and went into the Market for a Chat with the Stuff of the Station and to buy another kg Bananas for the Road. Back to the Road, Back to the Grind.
The legs are spinning great, the Kilometres pasing by with still a nice talewind. I made good Progress till another 90 Minutes “I hitted the Wall” Was exhausted and hadnt noticed it. So had to stop were i was and it was the Freeway in the Desert. Brought mayself under the Road to get some Shade in a tunel. While sitting there and eating Bananas i was astonished by the View. I could see 30 km into the Flat Desert till the Mountains growing and the Clouds throuwing there Shadow into the wideness. After beeing setifayed by the Bananas and the View I cycled on.
The Road Continued mostly flat with a light Up and Down. My body started to feel a bit grumpy. With a quick stop in the Shade of a huge Sign along the Freeway I made my Way in the suburbs of Yazd. 160 km in the ride, the Sun slowly reached the Horizon and I felt really drained. A quick look on the map told me 15 KM just straight into the City. My legs didn’t want to pedal any more, but they still kept going like a habit, same my Mind. Last 10k on big City Streets are a welcomed change of the Scenery and to interact with People along the street as well.
Out of nothing I stopped in front of Amir Chakhmag Complex in Centre. In this street should be my Guesthouse in the narrow old town streets. Oh, its 500 Meters back the way. Nocked on the wooden Door to ask for a Room. Vahir opened, 3 Nights no Problem. I ve done it 175km and 6:20 Hours in the Legs.
