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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Arusha to Babati (172km with 1 300m ascent)

Day 63 - March 16 - Stage 42

Thursday: The start of a straight seven-day riding section before our next rest day.

We cycled the longest distance of the tour today, 79km to lunch, then 93km after lunch, which was a personal best for Judith!  To put the icing on the cake, we passed the 5000 km mark as well!

We woke up early to pack our Permanent and Daily bags, which needed quite a bit of reorganizing, since we had been out of the saddle for four whole days.

Started cycling in the Arusha morning rush hour traffic, and we rode past the famous tower in the centre of town which is recognised by all the Overlander Companies as being the mid-point between Cairo and Cape Town.  We rode out of town on the same route we came into Arusha from our Safari Trip.

The route was relatively flat with some undulating until lunch. While having lunch, I found some small specimens of blue chalcedony and collected a few to take back home.

The second half ride after lunch was more hilly than the morning's ride, with an added head wind, with some young Massai kids who had started throwing stones at the riders -  what is it with the youth!?

We battled on at a slower pace, accompanied by Sweep Rider Brad and came in to finish at just over 10 hours, but at least we did the complete 172km distance, and arrived before Riders Meeting.  It was Judith's personal best, and a ride well done.

We pitched our tent with two others under a tin roof,  and fortunately Andje kindly offered us the use of a hot shower in her room.

A long but very rewarding day's riding, and taking all things into consideration a big moment in Judith's cycling career.

Cheers, 
Mike T

The Famous Overlander Clock Tower in Central Arusha
(Some say it's halfway between Cairo & Cape Town)

Lunch Truck (Picked up some Blue Chalcedony at this Site)

Judith cycling her way to her personal best on great Tanzanian roads

First Baobab Tree siting in Tanzania

Obligatory Coke Stop for 'Team Sweep' 

Judith in her usual role as the "Pied Piper" leading the running kids up the hill

Details of today's 172 km ride to Babati

Briefing Board detailing the next seven day section from Arusha to Mbeya

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Hello from Judith - Day 22, Khartoum

Day 21 - Sunrise Breakfast!

Friday: Hello everyone,

I am also enjoying Michael's blog! Our trip thus far has been interesting to say the least, but I'm looking forward to the change in climate and desert-scapes as we progress further South.

I am a big fan of the Tailwind and don't mind the odd gentle Crosswind, although the gusting ones that throw sand in your face and give you some free exfoliation are not popular!  

Head butting a Headwind is a real problem for me too, so the Irish wish of "may the wind always be at your back" has a very special place in my heart right now!  

Michael has the patience of a saint - riding mostly at my pace - which I hope will continue to improve!

Laundry mostly happens on rest days. Where there are laundry services available by local ladies or hotels, we use them!  Socks, buffs, hankies, bandannas and underwear are washed in the shower when and where possible.

Our daily meals have been fairly healthy and plentiful (whew, but some of the 20 - 30 something age group can put away several plates at a time! But then they are racing and covering the distances in half my time!).

We are touring with a great crew and an amazing and interesting bunch of cyclists - so there is always someone chat to you and lots of group dynamics to observe. 

And so our adventure continues... we hope everyone in RSA & DRC keeps well and continues to stay in touch and in good health.

- Judith