I can endure tired. I can endure hurt. But dizzy and nauseous? That’s not about being tough. I wake up sick still. I go to breakfast. Andrew slaps down a box of Dramamine he got from Bradley Cox – a up and coming contender and points leader. I went on a dirt bike tour with Bradley’s famous father Alfie Cox in South Africa some years ago. He says take two. At breakfast I have my head down on the table. I am scared of the dunes and how they will make me sick again.
It’s time to climb in the car for Stage two of five. In these rally’s, you start the stage right from the bivouac at a given time. For example 10:43. Then you have a “liason”. The liason is on paved road and it is NOT timed. This day we had to drive on pavement for two hours to get to the dirt section. Here you had to start again at a given time and you better be there. That is called the “Special test” and it is timed. At the end of the “Special test” you have another liason back to the bivouac that could be as long as two hours or more. It’s along day strapped in the car.
This day they decided to take the windshield out so I could have wind in my face and air flowing. Maybe that would help me not get sick. Well, it was a great idea! And just as we started the special test after a two hour liason, the Dramamine kicked in and I started feeling better.
I am driving really well. I am getting used to what Bruno means when he calls the turns and dangers, and he’s getting used to my driving and starting to trust me.
Here come the dunes. I am ready this time. Today, these dunes are mine. I figure out how to attack them and crest them sideways at the peaks. We even make some passes in the dunes. I am excited! I know that there will be more dunes, and many dunes in Dakar, and I now know I can do it!
We finish 22nd today. I get back to the bivouac and the South Racing team approaches the car to see if I am green or not. When they see my smile they are relieved. High fives all around. We crushed it today!
I eat dinner, brush my teeth and go to bed in my tent. But my sleep was interrupted by an highly unwelcome visitor…
I can’t wait to find out.