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Nieuwoudtville to Clanwilliam (136km) - South Africa

South Africa

Day 118 – May 10 – Stage 84

Sunrise over a chilly Nieuwoudtville

Started the ride with Philip, and left a still-sleeping and cold Nieuwoudtville; riding to lunch on one of the worst corrugated roads we have encountered on the whole trip, it made the corrugated roads in Sudan, Namibia and Namaqualand look like nursery school training rides! There was no regularity to them, it was just a continuous jumble of irregular, rock-filled corrugations, where riders were unable to pick a preferred line. At approximately 50km into the corrugations, I had a rare sense of humour failure, fortunately not witnessed by any of the other riders, as Philip had left me on my own to battle my own demons.

Philip setting out from Camp final destination Clanwilliam

Closer to lunch, I was joined by Peter (Peter the 4th) and the dirt road improved considerably, as we approached the Botterkloof Pass, where we were treated to an amazing vista. While the ride down the Pass was truly sensational, it was long, fast and a white-knuckle occasion,. We were travelling at high speeds down a Pass which had no side railings whatsoever separating us and the steep drop-off into the valley floor below.

Arriving at the top of Botterkloof Pass

Peter 4 admiring the view from the Pass

At 70km I reached the lunch position, had a long slow lunch while most of the back markers and the Sweep Rider caught up to me, then decided I had ridden enough dirt roads for the day, and caught the Lunch Truck. Peter joined me later, when he flagged the truck down as we passed him. He had also decided to take a break from the dirt roads.

Arriving at the lunch position

Liz enjoying some grapes at lunch

We stopped at the coffee shop previously known as Khoisan Kitchen (the day’s designated Coke Stop) for Coffee and Ice-cream (with coffee sauce) before continuing onto Clanwilliam.

As the Bokkeveld gave way to the Cederberg Mountains we were treated to some amazing views of the Cederberg.

The start of the Cederberg Mountains

Deborah about to enjoy her cake at the designated Coke Stop

Both Judith and Murray did not cycle on the day, and on arrival in Clanwilliam, they went shopping in Town, where they bought cheese, biscuits and wine for our planned “Seniors Ditch Day” tomorrow. A group of us had decided to skip Stage 85 (because we can) and to have our own Cheese & Wine in the “Dog Box” (Main Truck) tomorrow while traveling from Clanwilliam to Dorp-op-die-Berg.

Camp was situated at the Clanwilliam Dam, where we were joined by Charles’s parents, Anthony and Colleen Butler, who would be following us for the next three days all the way into Cape Town. Tony had been a Sectional Rider and had ridden with us through Malawi.

Cheers,
Mike T

Charles's Parents Colleen & Tony talking to Judith and Peter 1

Riders relaxing and enjoying some quality time at the Clanwilliam Dam Camp Site

Tallis at this evenings Briefing Session

Briefing board - Clanwilliam to Dorp op die Berg (tomorrow's ride)

Luviri School to Kasungu (107km - only 500m of climbing, but 990m of descent)

MALAWI

Day 77 - Mar 30 - Stage 53

Thursday: After two days of either climbing on the Lunch Truck after lunch or on it before lunch, we get our mojo back and cycle the whole distance without any major issues. So we don't get picked up and have to ride with the Sweep Rider either. A good days riding.

Michael assisting Judith with her puncture and supplying some spectator value

We get to lunch at the 61km mark relatively early, I sit on the opposite side of the truck, and eat my lunch, where it's quiet and there are no spectators. The other riders think I am being anti-social, but I am starting to suffer from FBS (Fish Bowl Syndrome). Just can't handle eating my lunch with so many local adults and children staring at me!

No Coke Stop in the morning, but we have two stops in the afternoon. Judith gets a puncture, so I replace her tube and fix her flat tyre (not without offering some spectator value).

Arrive in Kasungu Camp only to find all the rooms are taken, so we pitch the tent. Fortunately we have pre-booked via Andje for tomorrow's rest day in Lilongwe, where we will be spending two nights.

The unofficial Awards for the past section are presented. Marie gets the Toss the Dummy Award, Rob gets the Yellow Jersey (but he doesn't accept it?) and Bernd gets the Over Achievers Award, for running 15km up the Mountain on the Rest Day at Chitimba Beach to Livingstonia, getting caught in the rain and having to overnight there, then running back to Camp the next day!!

Tomorrow is the last day of our four day section, then we will have our next rest day in Lilongwe, where some of the Sectional riders will leave us, and others will join us.

Cheers,
Mike T

Coke Stop No. 1

There are many different varieties of beans for sale along the roadside

Coke Stop No. 2

One proud tent erector exordinair !

Paul assisted by Judith, fund-raising at the Unofficial Awards Ceremony

Marie received her Dummy (Pacifier) Award from the previous winner Catherine

Bernd received the Over Achievers Award

Andje was the surprise Lady Stage Winner

All the TDA Staff pose for a group photo

Tomorrow, Stage 54 - Kasungu to Lilongwe

Chitimba Beach to Mzuzu (136km + 1'630m of climbing)

MALAWI

Day 75 - Mar 28 - Stage 51

Sometimes you just need to climb off your bike to get some blood back into those legs
& air into the lungs while your heart takes 'a breather'

Tuesday: The start of a four day section before we reach Lilongwe, the Capital of Malawi, and our next Rest Day.

We left Chitimba Beach and after 16km started climbing out of the Rift Valley into the Mountains, this was a designated "Time Trial Section" at this point, but we did not sign up for it, it's a TOUR not a Race! And so we cycled along at our own pace...

On the way up, we were well-rewarded with great views and vistas of the Lake and the Rift Valley Mountains. Dr Helen was the Sweep Rider and we enjoyed her company as we ground our way uphill. To say the climb was tough would be an understatement, it was very tough, but we did make it out and over the mountains, alive.

Unfortunately, after lunch and at the 71km mark, we climbed onto the truck. Yours truly had developed gout in his right knee, and it had become excruciatingly painful!

However, riding the Lunch Truck/Party bus did have its advantages, we stopped in Mzuzu Town for coffee before reaching Camp. Mzuzu is an area famous for it's good quality Malawian Coffee, and it did not disappoint.

Later, after reaching the Camp, some of us went back into town to draw money at an ATM and went for even more coffee, plus some ice cream! All well that ends well.

Cheers,
Mike T