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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Canon Roadhouse to Felix Unite Camp (171km) - Namibia

Namibia

Day 113 – May 5 – Stage 80

Left the Canon Roadhouse Camp, rode with Judith, we had a good morning’s ride, albeit at rather a slow pace. Cycled the same route as the Desert Knights Tour which we did in April 2016, except this time we did the first two days distance of Desert Knights in a single day, we also did it in the daytime and not in the dark of night.

Sunrise at Canon Roadhouse

Mike vd Berg eager to get going even after last night's celebrations

Peter and his Daughter Catherine making last minute adjustments

Leaving Canon Roadhouse after a great stay

Lunch was at 91km, unfortunately we took our time getting to the lunch position, so decided to climb the Lunch Truck, there was no way we were going to complete another 80km and get to Camp before sunset. We should have known better than to have had so many stops for photo opportunities, rest stops, and exploring the countryside - but it was worth it!

Judith riding the corrugations

Cycling a section of the Desert Knights Tour

Distant rain falling in the Ai Ais Transfronteir Park

Sharing the road with the motorised tourist's

Ingenious rock sculpture " Bobberjaan klim die Berg"

Tom having quality time by himself 

If only the wreck could talk !

Posing with an old wreck

Judith on her way to infinity and beyond

Arriving at the Lunch Truck

Marie helping to pack up after lunch

Climbed the truck, and our first stop was at the Aussenkehr Spar for a Coke Stop, where we did some grocery shopping as well (ice cream, chocolates and Amarula). Aussenkehr is an extensive table grape producing area, where the vines are irrigated from water taken out of the Orange River.

Before we reached the Felix Unite Camp, Wynand off-loaded our bikes from the Lunch Truck and we cycled to the Amanzi River Trails Camp to see our friends Johan & Colleen, owners of Amanzi.  A few years ago we did a 5-day Amanzi River Rafting Trip down the Orange River with them. We have also stayed over at their Camp on numerous occasions when we visited Namibia in the past.

Johan & Colleen were pleased to see us, and since we were having a rest day at nearby Felix Unite tomorrow, invited us to have a braai with them at Amanzi on the rest day; an invitation we could not refuse.  We then cycled the short distance back to the Felix Unite Camp for a well-earned rest day.

As tomorrow will be a rest day at Felix Unite (staying in quite a nice room), we had to organise dinner for ourselves, so we decided to eat at Felix's own Restaurant. However, dinner at Felix was a right royal stuff-up :/

Mike vd Berg’s steak was rotten (had to send it back), Wendy finally received her food an hour late, Paul & Wendy’s drinks orders never arrived. While on my side, I was refused the privilege of opening up a tab at the bar (a first for me) - it seems that I was regarded as a credit risk!

A bitter-sweet arrival to Orange River, but another rest day tomorrow to look forward to.

Cheers,

Mike T

Marie & Judith two of the Lunch Truck Riders

View of the rugged Namibian County Side

Table Grape Vineyard along the Orange River

Judith at Amanzi River Trails Camp

Our little piece of heaven at Felix Unite Camp for the next two nights

Overlooking the Orange River with South Africa on the opposite bank

Wendy and Paul in relax mode

Sunset over the Orange River

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Witvlei to Windhoek (153 km)

Namibia

Day 102 - Apr 24 - Stage 72

Monday: Judith was not feeling well, so she decided to take the Main Truck into Windhoek.
Myself, I rode the day with Philip. A few kilometers into the ride we came across a vehicle accident where a Toyota Hilux Double Cab had hit a Kudu Antelope (Buck) which had jumped out into the road. Unfortunately, the passenger was severely injured, but was being treated by the Emergency Services when we arrived on the scene. 

At the Kalahari Padstal, we joined some of the other riders and stopped for Coffee & Biltong/Droëwors, also had our photo's taken by the owner, to be included in her own personal collection.

Rode in a peleton to lunch (with Liz, Marie, Philip and myself) and again after lunch, where we were joined by Andje. Riding together certainly made it so much easier and we managed to keep up a good pace until we reached the hills outside of Windhoek. Each one of us getting a chance and taking the front and setting the pace,  in 5 minute intervals.

Had a great Coke Stop at the International Airport Filling Station (cold drinks, chocolates and ice creams) before completing the final 42km into Windhoek.

Big Hills coming into Windhoek, but with the help of an emergency Red Bull,  I managed to get over them relatively easily. Then it was down into the Suburbs with our first stop at the Specialized Cycle Shop. The first proper Bike Shop since we had left Cairo, we were like small kids in a sweet shop!!

Cycled the last few km's to 'Urban Camp', organised our accommodation, then off to the Bar. All in all, a great day's cycling after my forced day-off yesterday.

Cheers,
Mike T

Sunrise at Witvlei

When a Rider punctures there is always someone to help

Windpump (Windpomp) on the way to Windhoek

The Kalahari Pad Stal

Philip very proud of his Doritos he managed to find

We all live in a Yellow Submarine !

Remember when posing for photos somebody is always bound to be behind you !

Philip gets photo bombed by the Babes

Riding along in the peloton

 

Peleton photo shoot with Max the Sweep Rider

Having lunch on the way to Windhoek

When the going gets tough, the Tough get stuffed.

Windhoek Cycle Shop

Coke Stop at the International Airport Filling Station

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Namibia! Buitenpos to Witvlei (162 km)

Namibia

Day 101 - Apr 23 - Stage 71

Sunday: Discretion being the better part of valour, I decided not to cycle, the loose spokes of my rear wheel had not been tightened and aligned, and my body was still sore from yesterday's "Oopsie". So accompanied by Peter and Deborah, we took the Main Truck to Witvlei Camp.

Judith decided to cycle and left Eastgate Rest Camp with Solange, she planned to cycle to the lunch position, a 85km long ride at least.

We arrived at the Lunch Truck and had "lunch" at 9am in the morning, where Marie and Linda then joined us in the Main Truck "Dog Box"

Unfortunately it was a Sunday, so the Butchery (needed to buy some decent biltong)  and Bottle Store (dry Bush Camp tonight) were not open in Gobabis Town. But we did manage to find a Coffee Shop (Wimpy) open.

Arrived in Witvlei and proceeded to the Camp Site which was in the Municipal grounds, without any facilities whatsoever (we wouldn't expect anything different either). Can't understand why we passed a totally equipped Bush Camp site 10 km from Witvlei, but true to TDA organisation, we had to camp at the Municipal grounds which didn't even have toilet or shower facilities!!

We were fortunate to find an open Bush Pub (Shebeen)  where we were able to buy some beers to take back to Camp. So a good time was had by all those who didn't cycle on the day.

Between Leo the Bike Mechanic, who managed to work on my bike and tightened all my loose spokes, and Dr Helen who re-dressed my wounds, its G for Go, tomorrow I am back on the road and fit to cycle into Windhoek, where we will be having two rest days in a row.

Cheers,
Mike T

Breakfast at Buitepos before leaving for Witvlei

Buitepos to Witvlei

Today's Non-Riders arrive at Witvlei

Team Carbo-Load enjoying some quality time at Witvlei

Helping TDA Staff to set up Camp

Todays sunset at Witvlei

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