Senegal - The Lions on the Road: Cycling London to Cape Town - page 90

I awoke the next morning to the sounds of heavy rain. I remained in my sleeping
bag, closed my eyes and just listened to the rhythm of the falling rain on the corrugated
metal roof. Not really in the mood to leave, my decision to delay departure was easy and I
waited until the rain abated. When it finally did, Jerome visited me and asked if I wanted
breakfast. I thanked him but politely declined for I had ample food in my panniers that I
wanted to use up. After he left, I quickly ate and then visited Jerome to say thank-you.
A Difficult Road into Dakar
I began to cycle in the late morning with a welcomed tailwind. However, when
I glanced over my shoulder, it dawned on me that this 'welcoming' wind was bringing
massive ominous black clouds. My speed was no match to the chasing storm which caught
up to me and boy, did it ever unleash its fury. In Africa, when it rains, it pours and within
seconds, I was drenched. To the amusement of all who I passed, I continued onward to the
capital.
Despite the heavy rain and increasing traffic, my goal was to press on no matter
what. However, fate intervened around 25 kilometres outside the city limits. I suddenly
could feel every little pebble on the road through my rear wheel, i.e. a flat tire. In a way
the flat tire was a welcomed event for it forced me to take a breather. I pulled into a gas
station which thankfully had a shelter where I could work. The attendants sat across from
me and watched as I stripped the gear off the bike and repaired the tire. Within minutes I
was reloaded the bike, and after a quick smile and au revoir to my audience, I was back on
the road and into the rain.
Three kilometres from Dakar, I could feel the pebbles again- my second flat tire. I
stopped by a large roadside garden shop and the friendly owner, a Sierra Leone refugee,
started a conversation with me in English. As I repaired the rear tire, he warned me about
the 'wandering hands' in Dakar and spent quite some time talking about his home country.
He was quite animated as he spoke about the civil war in Liberia and how Liberian rebels
used Sierra Leone to hide and launch their anti-government attacks. He also mentioned the
diamond fields in Sierra Leone and the fighting over their control.
During our conversation, I noticed that rain finally stopped. After repairing the flat,
I gave him a quick handshake and said good-bye. I entered the city and made my way to
the Catholic cathedral. I asked to meet the director of the school to see if I could pass the
night in one of the classrooms. When he came he quickly said yes and escorted me to one.
He gave me the key, said good-bye and left. I wheeled my bike in and leaned it against a
wall.Ipushedseveraldeskstogetherandunfurledmyairmattressandsleepingbagontop.
I then changed into warm clothes and stripped all my panniers and placed them on other