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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2 Rest Days in Windhoek

Namibia

Days 103 &104 - Rest Days - Windhoek

Spent two well deserved Rest Day's in Windhoek, Capital of Namibia, at the Urban Rest Camp. Was pleasantly surprised with the facilities and the great reception and friendliness from the Staff at the Camp, will definitely stay there again when next in Windhoek.

Up early to join the Australian and New Zealand Riders and others, at the ANZAC Memorial Service, conducted at dawn at the Commonwealth War Memorial Site,  commemorating the Battle of Gallipoli during the First World War.  Attended by Australian, New Zealand, Turkish and Namibian Diplomats. Murray got to read the Ode, all very touching and quite emotional for me, as it included a reference to all those who had fallen. Afterwards, enjoyed coffee and snacks with the Dignitaries in attendance.

Then went off to the Mall for more coffee and breakfast, followed by a trip to the Bike Shop to get a new seat for Judith and for her to have a fitting.

Later in the day, I went off to the Windhoek International Airport and fetched Mike van den Berg, my good friend who was joining the Tour to do the last Section with us from Windhoek to Cape Town.

Dinner on the first rest night, was held at Joe's Beer House, which had been recommended and organised by myself, which was attended by the majority of the Riders, and enjoyed by all.

Day two was spent trying to update my Blog's and was generally a very NAFI Day for me. Mike VdB used the day to reassemble his bike and to get ready for the Tour. 

Unfortunately, while changing our bike tyres from slicks (for tar roads) to mountain bike tyres (for riding on the dirt)  I pulled my umbilical hernia again, and Dr. Helen couldn't get it to pop back into place, so she had to take me off to the local Hospital. There the Doctor in attendance managed to use her magical hands and got it to behave again. I was then read the riot act, if I continued to do heavy lifting and it popped again, I was to be sent home!!

So my last evening in Windhoek didn't end to well for me, although on the bright side of things, I was still allowed to continue cycling, as long as I behaved!

Cheers,
Mike T

The TDA Riders who attended the ANZAC Memorial Service

ANZAC Memorial Service in Windhoek

Thomas displaying his Waiter skills at Urban Camp

A "Metre of Beer" at Joes Beer House 

Michael van den Berg arrives in Namibia

Welcome to Windhoek (Windy Corner)

 

Wise words displayed at Urban Camp

The next three day section - Windhoek to Sesriem

Windhoek to Weissenfels

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Rest Day in Lilongwe, Malawi

MALAWI

Day 79 - Apr 1 - Rest Day

Saturday: Rest Day in Lilongwe, and it's already the 1st of April!! 
Time is definitely starting to fly (especially when you are having fun).

We are currently here!

Judith's Permanent Bag is soaking wet, there is a leak in the roof of the Main Truck and a few of the riders also get their bags back...saturated! She spends most of her rest day time getting everything dry!

I change my slick tyres (both my old slicks have cuts in the tyres) for new ones, brought along a set of foldable slicks for both Judith and I and it seems as if it was the right decision to take them along. 

I spend the day watching Super Rugby on the TV in the Bar having decided to have a very low-key rest day, which suits both Judith and I. Between the New Zealanders, Australians and us South Africans, we have a festive time watching Super Rugby. Thankfully the Lions manage to beat the Sharks right at the end.

Three new sectional riders join us, Thomas & Roman from Germany and Chris from Canada. The two Germans will leave us again when we reach Livingstone (Victoria Falls) in Zambia.

In my endevour to change my tyres, I manage to pop my previously dormant umbilical hernia, causing a large protrusion of my navel. At first I thought the pain was just another bout of diarrhea, but soon realise it's a little bit more serious than that. 

Get hold of Dr Helen, who tries to arrange for me to see a Medical Specialist at a Private Hospital. Unfortunately it's a Saturday afternoon, and not a Specialist is to be found anywhere in Lilongwe (TIA). She decides to manipulate it back into place and voila, she is sucessful! After much telephonic consultation, she decides that she is better than any doctor in a Public Hospital, and takes the decision not to get futher medical help, a decision which proves to be the correct one.

I am then placed under Doctor's Orders - I am to monitor the hernia and to stop cycling immediately if it happens again, if it does, I have to seek medical help in Lusaka (Zambia). 

Early evening, Judith and I take a Tuk-Tuk with Andje to an Auto Bank to draw money and to collect some Korean Takeaways for supper. It pours with rain, and we have an interesting time navigating the dark streets of Lilongwe by Tuk-Tuk.

Tomorrow we cross out of Malawi and into Zambia, the land of my birth!  We have quite a tough five day section ahead of us, before we reach Lusaka for our next rest day.

Cheers, 
Mike T

Our A-Frame accommodation at Mabuya

The sign about sums up the conditions we experienced at the Backpackers

Mabuya Backpackers

One of the cut in one of my slick tyres

The next Stage 55 - Lilongwe to Chipata (in Zambia)

The upcoming Section from Lilongwe to Lusaka

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