The Treloar Herald : Botswana

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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

Bush Camp to Ghanzi (?? km)

Botswana

Day 99 - Apr 21 - Stage 69

Friday: Today was the long awaited and discussed Team Time Trial day. The Riders rode 30km to the start of the Time Trial, where we regrouped into our teams at the Cruiser and departed in batches when ready.

Team "Four Jacks and a Jill" started the 40km time trial distance with great gusto, we had estimated our time at 1hr 45min. Our team was doing okay and we were going as planned, until 3km from the finish, Michael-2 punctured twice, so we missed our estimated time by nearly a half hour (the biggest incorrect margin of all the teams). As they say in the Classics, "You win some and you lose some".

The winning team consisted of Wendy, Bridgett, Gupaul and Will, who were within a minute of their estimated time. Judith's team came 3rd. All in all it was great fun, although I thought some teams did take it a little too seriously!

I cycled with Philip after lunch, stopped at Shoprite in Ghanzi with a whole lot of other Riders for cold drinks and ice-cream, which was a pleasant surprise, and greatly appreciated.

The last three kilometers into Thakadu Camp was on a very sandy road, and I managed to fall down rather spectacularly into the sand, much to Philip, Liz and Marie's amusement. At the start of the Tour, when a Rider fell down, other Riders would rush to their assistance, now it's simply seen as a photo opportunity!

Cheers,
Mike T

Recovering after my fall in the sand, while Liz takes some photos.
(What has become of us?)

Riders enjoying breakfast before Team Time Trial Day

Coke Stop before forming up into the Individual Teams at the start

Teams forming up & getting into order before departing on the 40 km Time Trial

Michael-2 getting assistance from Paul to fix his first puncture while Linda looks on.

Shoprite Store in Ganzi for cold drinks and ice-creams

Waiting for the evenings Briefing and Prize Giving to start

Team Time Trial Winners - Gupaul, Will, Bridgett and Wendy receiving their cash prize

Tomorrow's ride will be from Ghanzi to Buitenpos and our longest ride so far

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...

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!)

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