The day started with only a short riding day planned, but would end up being one of our most eventful days of the trip. We were hearing more and more about the coronavirus which was sweeping around the world, causing increasing concern. There had only been a couple cases of the virus reported in all of Ethiopia, but nonetheless, it was having a large impact on how we were perceived and treated as foreigners. Holding onto our dream of crossing Africa by bike was becoming increasing difficult as the world became frozen with fear over an invisible, but very real threat.  Sometimes you don’t realize how much you have until it is taken away. This day would leave us with indelible memories of how privileged we have been to be able to travel the world on bikes. 

Our days in Sudan came to an end with a quick, 2-day run through the eastern edge of Dinder National Park to the border with Ethiopia. As we discovered, border areas between African countries can have an air of danger. We encountered a protest, illegal woodcutting, mangled roads, and some sketchy customs officials at the border crossing.

Everything about Sudan is much lower-key than Egypt. It’s quieter, less crowded, slower paced, and overall just more relaxing to cycle in Sudan. We reveled in the tranquility of the desert, and the soft-spoken hospitality of the Sudanese people we met. The biggest factor out on the road was the fierce desert wind, which cut our cycling speeds in half, and covered everything we own with sand.