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

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Biharamulo Deaf School to Geita - 140 km (Day 56 - Stage 39)

Thursday, 9 March: We didn't have a good nights sleep. During the night a violent strain of bacterial gastro-enteritis had broken out among the riders. 

It was as if we were in the Lion Enclosure at the Johannesburg Zoo, there was roaring (vomiting) all around different parts of the Camp, the whole night long!

In the morning eleven of the riders would not be able to cycle, and would need to climb into the Main Truck, initially named the "Party Bus". But later in the day, it would be aptly changed to "The Vomit Comet"

Unfortunately Judith who wanted to ride, having been off due to her bout of dehydration, had developed diarrhea during the night, and was then instructed by Dr. Helen to climb on to The Vomit Comet with the others.

The day's ride was relatively tough, with a large portion cycled on dirt, due to a major road construction project which was in progress. I rode with Liz for most of the day, and we managed a relatively steady pace throughout the ride.

There was one major incident on the dirt section, when Bridgette was involved in a head on collision with a Boda Boda (motorbike) ! Fortunately, she did not suffer any major injury's but her bicycle was a complete right off  (buckled front wheel and bent frame) :/

Lunch was at the 72 km mark and true to form, it offered great spectator value.

Cattle road-block giving us some horns!

On the road again, with Major road construction is in progress en route to Geita

We arrived in Geita, which is a big gold mining town, only to find that it had rained there while we were out on the road cycling. The consequence of which, meant our designated camp site at the Boys School was one large muddy quagmire.

However, between Murray & Judith, they used their initiative and had organised rooms at a nearby Hotel, and were awaiting my arrival.  After the Briefing Session, one of the Teachers at the School dropped me off at the Hotel, to join up with Judith and the others.

That evening we had some drinks with the Headmaster and the Teacher from the School;  thanking them for transporting us and all our gear to the Hotel.

Hoping the Vomit Comet passengers feel better tomorrow.

Cheers,

Mike T

Local Cycle Shop in one of the Towns

These local Tanzanian's insisted on having their photos with me 

Loading the bikes of those riders who couldn't cycle due to illness on the Main Truck

Local Transport Riders carrying bags of charcoal 

Morning Coke Stop

Sweep Rider Brad using his initiative to catch up with us back markers

Liz demonstrating the correct way for a rider to fall

Local cattle enjoying a roadside graze

The Lunch Truck always offers great spectator value

Liz enjoying another coke stop moment

Briefing Board - Geita to Mwanza

Camp was at Waja Boys Secondary School

Rather Impressive statue at our Hotel in Geita

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Stage 4: El Gouna to Safaga (82km) - A Relatively Easy Day

Monday: Today was the shortest distance of the tour so far, and there were no complaints coming from us at all. After the last three days, it was a welcome respite and greatly appreciated.

We treated the ride to the Lunch Truck, parked at 70km, as we would on any other day, but once there, we  knew we could have a leisurely lunch, as it was only 12km to the finish point

Some of the riders speeding towards lunch

The Lunch Truck, at 12km to go.

After lunch we took a sedate ride into Safaga, arriving there just ahead of the Sweep Rider,  where we met up with the rest of the Group, at our camp site which was situated on the beach, right next to the Red Sea.

It was the first of the many camping experiences which still await us, and we were all in agreement that it was a very picturesque site. The Tour organizers had also rented out two rooms at a nearby hotel, which the riders could use to shower in.

Tents on the beach. The Red Sea in the background.

The 'Bike Park'.

Between Judith and I, we managed to pitch our tent, and still remain husband and wife (the time spent practicing our tent erecting skills prior to the tour, had definitely been worth it).

Our tent...

Of course, even such a short ride deserved to be celebrated by a beer, so I joined up with those who are similarly inclined for a 'recovery drink'. After recovering, I took myself off to the Red Sea for a long swim in the relatively warm waters. 

The recovery drink committee. .

Tallis our Tour Leader.

After the evenings briefing by Tallis our Tour Leader, we were treated to another great supper by the Catering Crew. But it was a supper with a difference, Team Treloar were on wash-up duty accompanied by Bridget who hails from Tasmania. So after everyone had eaten, we got to clean the pots and pans.

Tomorrow, we can expect some hills as we will be climbing approximately 1'025 m over the 142km route.

Cheers,
Mike T

Wash-up duty!

Tomorrow's Stage 5 Outline on our trusty Notice Board.