Springbok to Kliprant (153km) - South Africa

South Africa

Day 116 – May 8 – Stage 82

After a quick breakfast, we left a chilly Springbok in the relatively early hours of Monday morning, and I must admit, after about 10km into the ride, I felt both physically and mentally challenged.  It seems the longer the Tour continues, the more fatigued we become, but I continued on the ride, ably assisted by Mike Vd Berg, who decided to ride with me for the rest of the day, thanks go out to him, as he provided me with much appreciated motivation and encouragement.

Lunch was at 80 km, and the ride to lunch was extremely tough. Although Judith chose to ride to the Lunch Truck, she made the sandy portion of today's ride look like a Nursery School outing - cycling through the sand and not stopping once to walk. That was very impressive, as not even I managed to cycle through all of the sand, and had been forced to walk on a number of occasions.

Mike and I came in late after a very long day of cycling, while behind us, Marie who was riding with Liz, was involved in an accident. Close to Camp, a bakkie (utility vehicle) overtaking the two of them on a very sandy section of the road, crashed into her, resulting in her suffering from a suspected broken elbow. An unpleasant end to Marie’s last few cycling days and unfortunate for her, but quite lucky actually as it could have been a lot worse!

On our arrival in Camp, we were met by Murray, who true to form, had managed to organise a few cold “Big Boy” beers (750ml quarts) for us, proving that, “A crappy day on TDA, still beats a good day at the office”.

Judith had organised a room for us at Camp, but she gave it up to Marie and Dr Helen, since Helen needed to monitor Marie continuously throughout the night. A small distraction for us, because we both agreed Marie’s needs came first. Come morning, Marie would be taken to the Hospital in Vredendal for x-rays and treatment.

Cheers,
Mike T

Sunrise over the Namaqualand

Mike vd Berg kindly waits for me and rides the rest of the day with me.

Granite Hills surround  the Town of Springbok

Lunch Truck position and a well earned rest and replenishment interlude

Mike vd Berg checking out a Farm Dam for some suitable drinking water

Some of the Ladies (Liz, Marie and Justina) walking a sand section 

Mike vd Berg ready to cycle again after stopping for lunch

Greeted by a well earned beer after a tough day in the saddle

Riders relaxing before tomorrow's Briefing Session

Supper time at Kliprand

The two Mike's enjoying a scrumptious supper

Tomorrows ride - Kliprand to Nieuwoudtville

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Witvlei to Windhoek (153 km)

Namibia

Day 102 - Apr 24 - Stage 72

Monday: Judith was not feeling well, so she decided to take the Main Truck into Windhoek.
Myself, I rode the day with Philip. A few kilometers into the ride we came across a vehicle accident where a Toyota Hilux Double Cab had hit a Kudu Antelope (Buck) which had jumped out into the road. Unfortunately, the passenger was severely injured, but was being treated by the Emergency Services when we arrived on the scene. 

At the Kalahari Padstal, we joined some of the other riders and stopped for Coffee & Biltong/Droëwors, also had our photo's taken by the owner, to be included in her own personal collection.

Rode in a peleton to lunch (with Liz, Marie, Philip and myself) and again after lunch, where we were joined by Andje. Riding together certainly made it so much easier and we managed to keep up a good pace until we reached the hills outside of Windhoek. Each one of us getting a chance and taking the front and setting the pace,  in 5 minute intervals.

Had a great Coke Stop at the International Airport Filling Station (cold drinks, chocolates and ice creams) before completing the final 42km into Windhoek.

Big Hills coming into Windhoek, but with the help of an emergency Red Bull,  I managed to get over them relatively easily. Then it was down into the Suburbs with our first stop at the Specialized Cycle Shop. The first proper Bike Shop since we had left Cairo, we were like small kids in a sweet shop!!

Cycled the last few km's to 'Urban Camp', organised our accommodation, then off to the Bar. All in all, a great day's cycling after my forced day-off yesterday.

Cheers,
Mike T

Sunrise at Witvlei

When a Rider punctures there is always someone to help

Windpump (Windpomp) on the way to Windhoek

The Kalahari Pad Stal

Philip very proud of his Doritos he managed to find

We all live in a Yellow Submarine !

Remember when posing for photos somebody is always bound to be behind you !

Philip gets photo bombed by the Babes

Riding along in the peloton

 

Peleton photo shoot with Max the Sweep Rider

Having lunch on the way to Windhoek

When the going gets tough, the Tough get stuffed.

Windhoek Cycle Shop

Coke Stop at the International Airport Filling Station

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Namibia! Buitenpos to Witvlei (162 km)

Namibia

Day 101 - Apr 23 - Stage 71

Sunday: Discretion being the better part of valour, I decided not to cycle, the loose spokes of my rear wheel had not been tightened and aligned, and my body was still sore from yesterday's "Oopsie". So accompanied by Peter and Deborah, we took the Main Truck to Witvlei Camp.

Judith decided to cycle and left Eastgate Rest Camp with Solange, she planned to cycle to the lunch position, a 85km long ride at least.

We arrived at the Lunch Truck and had "lunch" at 9am in the morning, where Marie and Linda then joined us in the Main Truck "Dog Box"

Unfortunately it was a Sunday, so the Butchery (needed to buy some decent biltong)  and Bottle Store (dry Bush Camp tonight) were not open in Gobabis Town. But we did manage to find a Coffee Shop (Wimpy) open.

Arrived in Witvlei and proceeded to the Camp Site which was in the Municipal grounds, without any facilities whatsoever (we wouldn't expect anything different either). Can't understand why we passed a totally equipped Bush Camp site 10 km from Witvlei, but true to TDA organisation, we had to camp at the Municipal grounds which didn't even have toilet or shower facilities!!

We were fortunate to find an open Bush Pub (Shebeen)  where we were able to buy some beers to take back to Camp. So a good time was had by all those who didn't cycle on the day.

Between Leo the Bike Mechanic, who managed to work on my bike and tightened all my loose spokes, and Dr Helen who re-dressed my wounds, its G for Go, tomorrow I am back on the road and fit to cycle into Windhoek, where we will be having two rest days in a row.

Cheers,
Mike T

Breakfast at Buitepos before leaving for Witvlei

Buitepos to Witvlei

Today's Non-Riders arrive at Witvlei

Team Carbo-Load enjoying some quality time at Witvlei

Helping TDA Staff to set up Camp

Todays sunset at Witvlei

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The Longest Day of the Tour - Ghanzi to Buitenpos (208km)

Botswana -  Namibia

Day 100 - Apr 22 - Stage 70

Saturday: Today was Day 100. In Km's, the longest day of the Tour by far. Our previous best had been 186km and today's distance was to be a long 208km ride, and it would be a new personal best by 22km if achieved.


Everyone was up and having breakfast at the crack of dawn, and there was a definite sense of urgency and nervousness among the Riders as they ate their breakfast and prepared to move off & out of Camp.

I rode with Philip, we left Thakadu Camp as early as we could, but had to negotiate a 3km stretch of sand before reaching the tar road. This took approximately 30minutes as we had to walk through large sections of thick sand (didn't want to repeat the fall I had coming in yesterday).


The ride started off relatively well, and at the 42km mark we turned right onto the Trans Kalahari Highway, and headed for the Botswana/Namibia Border.  However, we soon encountered a strong head wind, which was followed by light cold rain.

After lunch at the 80km mark, the rain intensified and it started to pour down quite hard. Combined with the headwind, the wind-chill factor increased, the temperature went down as low as 12 degrees & did not rise higher than 15 degrees on the day.

20km from the Border at the 188km mark, due to the overcast conditions, we lost the light and were picked up by Tallis in the Cruiser. It had become just too dangerous to cycle in the poor light and pouring rain -  especially with the big trucks which were kicking up immense amounts of rain as they sped past us.


As a consequence, both Philip and I lost our  Botswana-EFI by a miserly 20km!! In retrospect we could have carried on, but we would have been cycling in very dangerous conditions, and TDA do insist on putting our safety first.



A few moments later & at Immigration, Philip had to fill out my form, as I was just shivering so much from the cold as well as being slightly disorientated. Crossed out of Botswana, but in no-mans land between Botswana and Namibia, I fell off my bike, as I hit a large (yet hard to see) water-filled pothole, injuring my right elbow, hip and knee (only my third  serious crash of the whole tour).

I passed through Namibian Immigration without any hassles, crossed into Namibia and went straight to Camp (only 500m from the Border) to have my wounds dressed. Fortunately no major injuries, only some blood tattoo's. But here is a quandary, because I fell in no-mans land, do I claim a Botswana or a Namibian Tattoo, or do I credit both Countries??


In Namibia, we were staying at Eastgate, just the other side of the Border, where the Treloars usually stay when travelling from Johannesburg to Windhoek by vehicle. The current cycling  route has now become quite recognizable for both Judith and I.  Everyone and everything had been drenched in the rain as before on Day 95, so almost all riders opted for rooms.

Due to my injuries, I will make a decision to cycle or not in the morning (Additionally, I also have a large  number of loose rear wheel spokes). Time will tell.

Cheers,
Mike T

Due to the long 208 km distance breakfast was held early than usual

Riders regroup on the tar road after the 3 km sand road section before departing on the days 208 km ride

Turned right onto the Trans Kalahari Highway and headed off to our next Country

A sober reminder that cycling on all main roads should be taken seriously

 

Riders recuperating after their rain affected ride at the Eastgate Camp Coffee Shop

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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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Lusaka to Soccer Field Camp (1'57km + 770m climbing & 990m descent)

Zambia

Day 86 - April 8 - Stage 60

Saturday: April the 8th is one of my favourite days of the year, mainly because it's my Birthday!!  I spent my 63rd birthday cycling 157km out of Lusaka towards Livingstone. A birthday in the Country of my birth, what more could a man ask for!

I was given a Birthday tiara from Liz, and I wore it the whole day while out cycling on my bike. It raised many a smile from the locals, especially when I stopped for a Coke. 

Wearing my Birthday Tiara with my Best Girl by my side

Cycled with Philip, and we were fast out of Lusaka, going at quite a speed, in relatively heavy morning traffic. Judith had started her day's cycling from the lunch stop together with Bridget (both nursing tender bums).  Rupert had an unfortunate incident - he was hit by a taxi.  It suffered a broken windscreen, but luckily he was okay, without any major damage to himself or his bike. The driver then had the audacity to insist that Rupert pay for the damages, but the local bystanders disagreed and placed the blame on the driver!

Had a Coke Stop after Kafue Town at a new (only two weeks old) little "Spaza Shop" run by a young lady who was recently widowed. She spotted my birthday tiara and proceeded to sing happy birthday to me. It is so great to see the entrepreneurial spirit of the Zambians, as opposed to the hopelessness and depressed attitudes of the Malawians.

Lunch, then off again, with a second Coke Stop at "Sugar Snap Shop" where I was again serenaded by the owner to the sounds of "Happy Birthday". I think Philip had a big influence in getting the locals into a singing mood!

We passed through the town of Mazabuka before I arrived at the finish and was handed a cold beer by Judith as my birthday present, life is great!

Camped at School Soccer field, no birthday cake with supper, Chef Errol says it will happen tomorrow evening.

Cheers,
Mike T

Turning right for Livingstone and heading for Victoria Falls

The young lady at the first Coke Stop who graciously sang Happy Birthday for me

Philip at our second Coke Stop

My cold Birthday Beer at the end of the days ride 

Riders resting in the shade after a long day in the saddle

Local kids watching the Mzungu's antics and tribulations around Camp

Birthday Sunset over our tent

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