Day 66 - March 19 - Stage 45
 |
| Ingenious home made bicycle we saw today |
Left Camp and continued on the dirt road, the instructions for today were relatively easy, turn right onto the dirt road, continue for 57km to Lunch Truck. Then continue to finish at the 113km mark. Camp at a Soccer Field on the right side of the road. You will go through numerous Villages where you will be able to find a coke stop. It doesn't get much easier than that.
To our credit, both Judith and I did the full distance, and managed two coke stops for the day, one before lunch and one after lunch, and we arrived at our destination relatively early in the afternoon. Fortunately we encountered no rain, even though it was overcast for most of the day.
Approximately 200m from the finish, we were greeted by a group of riders, who had decided Mamma Christine's Bar was a designated Bar Stop, so we joined in the festivities. It was soon evident that some riders had been there much earlier than others, and a good time was had by all.
Once at Camp, we couldn't pitch our tent at the suggested spot (on the Soccer Field) because there was a soccer match scheduled to begin at 5pm. We pitched our tent out of the designated area and decided we were not going to move it.
Had the Briefing Session and enjoyed supper while the soccer match was in progress. The Home side were one goal down, with the score 1-2, when they scored an equaliser. The Referee incredibly then disallowed it (those riders who were watching all agreed it was a legitimate goal). This caused a riot, chaos ensured, causing the match to be abandoned!
I managed to organise a bucket of fresh water from the locals (for 1 000 Shillings) did some laundry (my riding kit) and had a welcomed bucket wash. Then off to the tent for another early evening :)
Cheers,
Mike T
 |
| Old bicycles waiting for better days at Game Post 1. |
 |
| These bikes surely have a story or two to tell? |
 |
| Fortunately the road had dried out since the last rain |
 |
| Phillip posing with the Proprietor at the mornings designated Coke Shop |
 |
| The ladies always seem to be quite popular with the locals |
 |
| Roadworks encountered on the morning's ride |
 |
| Now and again its quite beneficial to take a rest |
 |
| Local Rider carrying his own spare bike |
 |
| Debating the merits of having a Coke Stop |
 |
| Andje taking a "selfie" with the local kids |
 |
| Local Villagers at the afternoon's Coke Stop who would later arrive at the Camp to play soccer against the home side |
 |
| Close up of of the home made bike showing the crank system |
 |
| Riders frequenting Madam Christine's Bar |
 |
| Phillip enjoying a cold beer after a hard day in the saddle |
 | ||
Kim and Kyle having some quality time at the bar
|
 |
| This evening's tented camp |
 |
| Soccer players from the Away Team arrive to play the Local Team |
 |
| Briefing Board for tomorrow's ride to Biti Manayanga |
_
