Maun to Bush Camp (157km + minimal climbing)

Botswana

Day 98 - Apr 20 - Stage 68

Thursday: Riders Briefing in the morning, where we discussed the next five day section from Maun to Windhoek. 

After breakfast we left the Hotel and I cycled with Philip, while Judith cycled with Marie. Two Coke Stops, one before lunch and one after lunch, with lunch at the 82km mark.

I continued to the finish, it wasn't easy, as it was a hot day and quite boring, however we   arrived relatively early at Camp. Once the tent was up and we had eaten some soup, I had an afternoon nap, which was out of the ordinary for me, but greatly appreciated.

Dry Camp, so brought out a bottle of Old Brown Sherry we had bought in Maun and a select few had sundowners after supper.  Chef Errol produced ice-cream for pudding, which made the occasion more memorable.

Will be having Team Time Trials tomorrow, it will be held over a distance of 40km (from the 30km mark ending at Lunch). Teams have to estimate their finishing time and are not allowed to cycle with watches/cell phones or Garmins (Pedometers). 

I have been placed in a Team consisting of Linda, Paul, Rob, Michael-2 and myself, since we are one female and four males, we are calling ourselves "The Four Jacks and a Jill".   Peter Yellow, Philip, Julian, Judith and Marie will be in team "PJMs".

Cheers,
Mike T

Sunrise in Maun

Peter and Deborah getting their bikes ready for the days ride

We passed one very happy Baobab Tree along the way

Philip discussing Botswana politics with the locals at the Coke Stop

Lunch was a very relaxed affair

The calm around the Main Truck before supper is prepared and served

Riders relaxing in the shade of the Main Truck

Judith having some quality time reading her book.

Andje discussing Team tactics at supper time

What? No Cake!? Rest Day in Maun, Botswana

Botswana

Day 97 - Rest Day - Maun

Wednesday: A rest day in Maun, gateway to the Okavongo Swamps and Tourist Mecca.  Both Judith and I had a relaxing day at the Hotel and only ventured out once to go into Town. While many of the Riders took the opportunity to take a light plane flip over the Swamps from the local Airport.

Breakfast in Sedia Riverside Hotel was chaos, Staff were just not trained to handle the influx of TDA Riders and it was definitely not worth the money paid.

But anyway, I spent the morning catching up with the Blog (so far behind) and in the late afternoon, Judith, Marie and I took a taxi to Town to the Wax & Apple Coffee Shop, however there was no more cake, TDA Riders had been there earlier in the day and already killed all the cake! We had a light lunch instead.

Did manage some grocery shopping at the SPAR in Town before going back to the Hotel, where we spent the evening having supper at the Pool/Bar Area.

Cheers,
Mike T

The Sedia Hotel pool area

With Judith at the Coffee Shop in Maun

Briefing - Maun to Bush Camp

The next 5 day stage to Windhoek

Map gives one a bit of a clue as to where we are...

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Bush Camp to Maun (134km)

Botswana

Day 96 - Apr 18 - Stage 67

Tuesday:  It was the last day of the 5-day stage, my rear wheel had two broken spokes, which the Bike Mechanic was unable to fix, due to time constraints last evening, so Murray offered me his bike as he wasn't riding, and so I rode all the way to Maun on Murray's bicycle.

After lunch, I rode with TDA Director Max (Sweep Rider) Tour Leader Tallis, and Andje. We formed a four man peloton and rode on into Maun. Tallis managed to cycle the complete 134km distance wearing only his slip-slop sandals on his feet!

We arrived in Maun and stopped for cold drinks and ice-cream at the nearest Filling Station, 
it was only a further 7km to Camp at the Sedia Hotel. 

Approaching the Hotel entrance, I  ell in the thick sand, which made the local kids laugh -  must have been great spectator value!

Cheers,
Mike T

Leaving Bush Camp for our ride to Maun

Tallis, cycling the entire 135km in his sandals!

Judith on the road to Maun

Max getting ready to "sweep" after lunch all the way to Maun

Turn off for Khoemacau Copper mine

Always try to be a shining example

In Maun, at the bar... life is good (too bad this Keg was empty!)

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Nata Lodge to Bush Camp (186km)

Botswana

Day 95 - Apr 17 - Stage 66

Monday: Cycled the longest distance of the Tour so far today (even did an extra 2km by riding into Planet Baobab and stopping for a milkshake) and another Personal Best. 

At the 42km mark we were portaged on the Main Truck for approximately 2km over the flooded Nata region to Gweta Road, while some of the other Riders were transported on a flat-bed tow truck. This part of Botswana has definitely had extensive rain lately.

A flooded Botswana roadside

Water crossing over the road in some places

Water, and more water everywhere

When I left Nata Lodge with Judith, I rode with her to lunch at the 86km mark.  She has decided that as long as she completes a minimum  of 70/80km - 100km per day she is at liberty to climb the Lunch Truck. So after lunch I rode with Philip.  Lunch was at a most picturesque position, right next to an imposing Baobab Tree. Beautiful.

Stopped at Planet Baobab after lunch with Philip, even though we had to do an extra 2km of riding to get there and back on the designated route. We both ordered Milkshakes at the Bar... what has become of us?? 

The Lunch Truck also stopped and Judith took some beers to camp for a few of us to enjoy later on. Bless her soul.

Today was a difficult ride in the sense that it was so long, flat and boring. But only one more day of riding and then its a well-deserved rest day in the city of Maun.

Cheers
Mike T

Liz ready to leave Nata Lodge

And Andje getting ready to cycle out of Nata Lodge as well.

Wendy, is a lady on a mission as she starts the day's ride

So far on the road and no further (not for the next 2 km)

Loading the bikes onto the Main Truck

Linda and Andrew in the Main Truck "Dog Box"

Some more riders being portaged in the Main Truck

The Truck leaving a bow wave behind it as it passes through the water

Looking up the road from the Main Truck

Some of the Cyclists enjoying their ride on the flat-bed tow truck

Niklas leaving the lunch truck with Baobab in the background

Baobab graffiti :/

The turn-off for "Planet Baobab"

Ordering milkshakes in the Bar at Planet Baobab

Great looking Amstel chandelier in the Planet Baobab Bar

Notice Board announcing the Teams for the up coming Team Time Trial

Bush Camp Bike Mechanic time

Tomorrow's ride, Bush Camp to Maun

Happiness is your own concrete tent foundation...

Sunrise at Bush Camp


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Elephant Camp to Nata Lodge (143km)

Botswana

Day 94 - Apr 16 - Stage 65

Easter Sunday: Left the Elephant Camp with Judith, but then later took off with Philip when he came past. Rode up to lunch at 75km, and we saw no wildlife at all, Judith on the other hand, accompanied by Liz, managed to get up close and personal with a large Elephant!

Well, I only stopped so that I could read the sign!!

Nata Town was our first Coke Stop at 134km into the ride (coke stops in Botswana are very few and far between).  Arrived at Nata Lodge and was exhausted, had either a side wind or head wind the whole day long, it was a difficult day for me.

Booked in at Nata Lodge Chalet, It's located very close to the Makgadikgati Salt Pans and is quite posh indeed. Off to the Bar for a well-earned beer and swim in the pool, the Lodge has definitely changed a lot since I was last here quite a few years ago and was a good way to spend Easter.

After Briefing and supper, Judith and I spent some quality time at the Bar using their WiFi to catch up on the social network scene. 

Tomorrow will be another tough day for me, Tallis the Tour Leader tells us there are parts of the road which are flooded, so the ride should prove quite interesting, also it's a long 185 km distance!!


Cheers,
Mike T

Judith & Liz getting close and personal with the Elephant

"Liz look, I think I see an Elephant!" Just moments before.

Foot and Mouth Control Gate after lunch

Briefing Board - Nata to Bush Camp (tomorrow's ride...)

Judith & Liz's Elephant crossing the road

Today we reached the 8000 km mark!

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