Made it to Sanchez, Republica Dominicana!
Rode over a mountain. Largely downhill. Gorgeous!!!
Dominican Republic in summer. So hot. Even at seven AM in a ton of shade, lying down, I can hardly bear it. Riding uphill, fully loaded, midday without clouds, extremely hard!
The ocean is so warm, it's like getting into a bath.
After a few difficult rides, where I'd planned considerably, then had easier rides than expected, yesterday I had a short (21 km) ride on straight ground. Easy!
Instead, it wound up far more difficult than expected.
The road had numerous rocks, obstacles.
The sun shone brightly.
I made slow headway. Then, while riding slightly up, I pressed down hard on the pedal, and snap! The derailleur fell off. Already jerryrigged, I jerryrigged it even further, with significant difficulty. Finally I got the bike running, but by then the sun felt too hot for me to ride in. So, I took an extended pause in the shade.
Even in the shade, the air felt hot, so I cooled my feet in some water on the ground.
As the sun descended, I made my way to the edge of the next town. Along the road, piles of garbage burned, cows and birds grazed. Some people went by on motorcycle and foot, often carrying machetes. Barbed wire lined the road.
I was thirsty the night before setting out. By now I feel extremely thirsty. I have had numerous fantasies of the different drinks that I want to consume.
Now around Sanchez, Rrepublica Dominicana, I am getting set for the Samana peninsula!
It's often been somewhat too hot in the day, and somewhat too cold for comfort at night. Recently, it's been way too hot during the way, and somewhat too hot at night.
In town, a fishing village, had breakfast. Then, drank like three liters of liquids including cola.
Felt sick, threw up.
Now resting, improving!