Didn’t have the energy to bog for the last 2 days and I just found out why. I’ll get to that in a minute, but to summarize, I was the last person into camp 3 days in a row, Day 2 was 150 kms with almost 2000 m of climbing and was my hardest day of the entire tour. I had no energy the whole way and even though I wanted to quit riding about a hundred times I made the full distance. The next day was 104 kms into a rest day in Lusaka. Again I was the last person into camp and I even had to stop on the side of the road for a 30 min lie down. When I got into camp I got a room, got my things from the truck and passed out on the bed unable to move. I had a bad headache and was feverish and slept for 2.5 hours before I got up had a shower and slept for another almost 2 hours before Stu came to get me for dinner with a group. We got into a taxi and headed to the mall, found a nice place to eat but early on it was becoming obvious that I was not going to a movie after. My fever was getting worse, my headache was almost unbearable and I felt like plain crap. I met up with Patrick and we discussed my symptoms and he thought it was malaria. I then ran into Caro the nurse and she said that we could meet in the morning and head to a clinic.
I slept on and off between chills and sweats and managed to rest a little bit. I had some breakfast in the morning and then headed off to the clinic with Bill one of the sectional riders who is a Canadian doctor working in Zambia. The doctor Caroline also thought my symptoms were malaria and did a test that came up negative. That was a jab in the finger. I then got a shot in the bum which made my whole leg go tight (I think that one was a pain killer) Then I got an IV put in and some blood taken out and I peed in a bottle. After about an hour of waiting with a blanket between chills and sweats I found out what I had. It is a Unary Tract Infection (UTI). I got another pain shot in the IV and some anti-biotics, after I got another finger jab to check my blood sugar levels.
So after nearly 4.5 hours in the clinic I feel so much better I can’t believe it. I have more medicine to continue on for the next few days and I was told to take tomorrow off the bike. I am upset by that because I was really hoping to complete the second half of the trip EFI but sickness is one of those things that I can not control and I understand that. Plus I just want to feel better and while I feel better already I want to feel 100% again, because the last 3 days of riding were so tough and hard I don’t feel like I have anything to prove to anyone after those.
Sorry I had to spread the bad news by blog, but it is the most efficient way for me to do it. Might have a phone in Livingston in 3 days so if I do I will try and get a call out to mom.
Later everyone
Ricky
You are our hero whether you EFI or not. Regaining your health is much more important. Take it easy and rest up as much as you need to. love mom
don’t feel bad, u will get stronger and have more experience! it doesn’t matter if you can make EFI or not!! I am anyway very proud =)
greetz your cousin joey
Take care of your self first. The EFI thing is not that important. If you are not going to make your living from bike race then it is all immaterial. It was just a bragging rite. Take all the med prescribed to you. In Africa health issues are better dealt at the beginning. Easier to handle. You are almost there!! You need to see it this way too. Relax and enjoy your vaccation on bike accross Africa.
Very disappointed you are no longer EFI. Jokes mate, your inner strength is fantastic. Maintain domination when you are back to 100%.
Getting out of here Monday or Tuesday, flying to SA on Thurs. Stay strong, great photos.
Hey Ricky, Glad that you’ve been treated and that you’re on the mend. You’re still awesome and you have done an amazing job already. Keep going! You’re almost there! Spent the weekend in Alexandria and brought things from the house up to Skaneateles, including your things. I’ll have to bribe you for a visit.
Fouad
The bike sometimes needs TLC when pushed to the limits and the machine engine that drives it (YOU!) sometimes needs attention. Both need to be treated equally with TLC, especially when things go wrong. The only difference being that YOU are non-replaceable, bikes are. Take great care of that body of yours and listen to what’s it’s saying at all times and act accordingly. I’m sure the engine will soon be back in fine smooth running order for the miles to come.
Ricks not much more I can say than what your family, friends and followers have already said. There are things in our life that we cannot govern you have done brilliantly and improved day on day throughout this challenge a minor setback due to illness is insignificant to what you have already achieved. Get better and only then continue with the strength and determination that you have shown throughout this brilliant journey. We are all so so proud of you and you are an example to us all. Luls N & A xxx
Thanks everyone for the kind words. I am still feeling pretty bad so I headed to Livingstone a day early with a few other people. I am in Challet 24 at the Waterfront today. Not sure if there is a phone in the room, but if there is feel free to call. Heading out for dinner now, should be back around 8ish my time
Please find telephone number and post as cannot find direct number on the web. Hope you get a good night’s rest and feel more like yourself tomorrow so you can enjoy your stay in Zambia. love mom
Hi Ricky, I had a lot of catching up reading your blog as I was away (in Egypt again). Certainly hope that by the time you read this you will be feeling lots better and can then enjoy the remaining few weeks. We are all amazed at what you are doing (EFI or not). Whilst in Egypt, I drove the Sokhna road and thought about you and the start of your epic tour and how you have left your footprints (or bike wheel prints) along that road and many others on your long journey! Your Mum and I were there at the start and we are looking forward so much to greeting you at the finish line. You will reach Cape Town soon and we will be there waiting.
Take care of yourself, hope you could rest and regain your health and enjoy.
Luv, Nadia