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

_

Sesriem to Betta Camp (137km) in Namibia

Namibia

Day 109 - May 1 - Stage 76

Left Sesriem rather late, as the toilet was situated far away from Camp, and we needed a morning ablution before we could ride off!  However, we were treated to an absolutely fantastic sunrise over the Mountain's as we pulled out of Sesriem. 

Today's ride was mainly on bad corrugations, thick sand & rocks, with the added influence of Namibian heat. We entered the Namib Rand Nature Reserve, and were fortunate to spot Gemsbok (Oryx) & Zebra.

Lunch was at 73km, both Judith and I climbed onto the lunch truck with other riders who had also decided discretion was the better part of valor.  More and more riders are being influenced by fatigue at this late stage of the Tour.

Coke stop at Wêreld se Einde (World's End) Farm, the Farmer's wife had so kindly organised us some cokes which we could buy from her (Dag, a new Sectional Rider who had ridden the leg previously, had pre-organised it with her) and the coke was greatly appreciated.

The Camp at Betta was great, included a small shop which sold cold beer, ice-cream and great apple strudel.


Cheers,
Mike T

Breakfast around the Main Truck at Sesriem

Sesriem to Betta Camp

The next five day section - Sesriem to Felix Unite Camp

Ann and Peter 4 having an early morning coffee and discussion with Michael vd Berg

Sesriem Sunrise

Getting ready to ride after morning ablution's

Early morning vista after leaving Sesriem

Some of my more contemporary art work on the road to Betta

Le Mirage Resort and Spa between Sesriem and Betta

The loneliness of the long distance cyclist

Contrasting colors of the Namib Mountain Range

Namib Rand Nature Reserve

Rules are rules

Easterly border of the Namib Desert

Cairn building down the length of Africa

Gemsbok/Oryx in full flight

Its lonely out there in the Namib Desert

Lunch under the shade of the Camelthorn Trees

Loading the bikes onto the Lunch Truck

Farmers wife in  discussion with Natalie & Anmei at
World's End Farm

Tree Aloe (Quiver Tree) at World's End Farm

Sunset at Betta Camp

Briefing - Betta Camp to Konkiep Lapa

_

Rest Day - Sesriem, Namibia

Namibia

Day 108 - Sesriem Rest Day

I spent the morning and afternoon at the Namibian Parks Board Restaurant, working on updating the blogs, couldn't stay in Camp as there was no shade or any other facilities available for us campers to use.

Some of the other Riders rode off on their bikes to take a trip down into Sesriem Canyon, while others went to Sossusvlei for either a sunrise or sunset viewing, and others just did the usual washing of dirty laundry, cleaning and checking of their bikes, or like me simply catching up on social media.


In the evening a group of us went out and had a buffet supper at the Sossusvlei Lodge, which was extremely posh, and their selection of starters, main course and desserts was simply outstanding and well worth taking the walk to the Lodge.  My Son & his wife had a buffet breakfast at the very same restaurant while on their Honeymoon & also mentioned it was absolutely worth visiting & a stunning setting.  


Today was our second last rest day, the trip is quickly coming to an end, we only have a five day and a seven day section left, with one rest day at Felix Unite Camp on the Orange River, before reaching Cape Town...


Cheers,
Mike T

Not much shade available for us Campers out in the Desert

Flowering Aloe at Sesriem Camp

Sunset at Sesriem 

The next Five Day Section to the Orange River

Sesriem to Betta Camp

_