TdA Stage 37. Everybody Must Get Stoned.

128km. Yabello to Well Camp.

I was remarking about how I had no hassle from the kids today just as Paul-from-Edmonton rolled in, remarking how he got hit with sticks by a group of teen-aged boys. I used to think that the phrase 'sticks and stones will break my bones, but names will never hurt me' was ridiculous because, well, who uses sticks and stones? I had never contemplated that these were exactly the things that the kids in Ethiopia used.

Francis-the-Postman bought a coke from a local today and nearly lost an eye. It started with a warm coke being shaken and tossed around a little in transport and then left to bake in the afternoon sun. I guess that Francis-the-Postman didn't hear the champagne-bottle-like pop released by a few other supercharged bottles being opened by other riders. And I'm not sure what sort of technique it is to hunch right over the top of a bottle that you are about to open. But, when these three storms collided, it was *POP* followed by Francis-the-Postman bent over squealing and pushing his hand against his eye. I hope that he's ok! Holy shit, it still makes me laugh out loud to think of it. But, seriously, I do hope that he's ok.

Although it was not in the plan at any time during the day, it turns out that I had the second fastest time today (riding mostly solo). This is particularly exciting to me as I have been feeling like the guys have been getting stronger at a much faster rate and that somehow I have been left behind. Maybe just a lucky day, but it feels great!