The Treloar Herald : Namibia

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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)

Rest Day in Namibia along the Orange River

Namibia,
Felix River Camp
Amanzi River Trails Camp

Day 114 – May 6 – Rest Day

This was our last Rest Day of the Tour, after today it would be a straight seven day push to the finish in Cape Town. Unreal to think that the end is in sight, after such a long trip, I don’t think we fully comprehended the significance of the “Last Rest Day”.

Had a late breakfast at Felix Unite Camp Restaurant, I was very wary of having breakfast there, especially after last night’s pathetic service and experience, however the Camp Management gave us a good breakfast on the house, so they redeemed themselves, and I suppose all’s well that ends well!

I treated the day as an Admin Day, while Judith did some major laundry, to ensure we had enough clean clothes to get us to the finish. Later in the afternoon, Colleen from Amanzi arrived in her Amanzi Cruiser and kindly transported us and a select few to their Camp for the pre-arranged early evening braai (barbeque).

At one of the picturesque camping spots alongside the Orange River, Mike vd Berg and I organised the braai fire and we both braaied the meat, while everyone relaxed and enjoyed the peace and quiet, and contemplated the meaning of life, ably assisted by some liquid refreshments. A great time was had by all, and the overseas riders agreed that their Southern African “Braai” experience was one to remember.

Our thanks go out to Colleen and Johan who kindly hosted us, supplied the wood, meat, salads and other delights and ensured that we lacked nothing, so ensuring the group had a very relaxing and enjoyable afternoon/evening. Colleen then dropped us off back at Felix Unite, where it was back to TDA reality again for us all.

The reality sinking in... this was our last Rest Day of the Tour, and only one more 7 Day Section into Cape Town to be cycled, which will not be an easy one.

Instead of taking the Coastal Road down South, the Organizers have ensured that we will be travelling on the dirt roads of Namaqualand, then climbing up and traversing parts of the Cederberg Mountain Range, before reaching the environs of Malmesbury, then on to Cape Town through the Koeberg Region. The last Section is definitely going to be a difficult ride.

Cheers,

Mike T

Team 'Amanzi Braai' enjoying their Rest Day alongside the Orange River

Mike vd Berg, Johan, Mike T, Liz and Colleen relaxing around the braai

The two Braai Masters (the two Mike's)

Waiting in anticipation for the food to arrive

Happy Campers enjoying the liquid refreshments at Amanzi

Distinctive folding of the sedimentary rock strata

View of the folding on the South African side of the Orange River

Felix Unite (Namibia) to Springbok (South Africa)

The last 7 Day Section before reaching our final destination in Cape Town

Seeheim to Canon Roadhouse (93km) - in Namibia

Namibia

Day 112 – May 4 – Stage 79

Sunrise as we leave Seeheim Hotel

Started the day’s ride with Philip, the dirt road surface for the first 20km’s were either large concentrations of irregular corrugations or drifts of sand, and sometimes a combination of both, it was as if you were on the road to Hell !!!

Accompanied by Philip and Nelson, I stopped at an undesignated coke stop at the Bauerhof Stall situated next to the old Chamieites Railway Siding, we saw a coke sign, made a quick decision, and crossed the railway line and made our way to the Farm stall via their chicken coop. We were pleasantly surprised to find the Dinner Truck Staff and a group of the day’s non-riders enjoying the delights on offer! Soon after our arrival, they left, but we stayed and enjoyed coffee and apple pie as well as me leaving with a large package of biltong and dry wors, to be consumed later.

Sunrise at Seeheim Hotel Camp

Breakfast around the natural rock table

The calm before the storm - Will it be an anti-climax ?

Seeheim to Canon Roadhouse

Phillip ready for his ride to the roadhouse

Seeheim Hotel in the early morning light

Party time at Bauerhof Stall for both riders and non-riders

Bauerhof garden vista

Accommodation available at Bauerhof

Philip and Nelson ready to continue the ride to the Roadhouse

Leaving Bauerhof, we were joined by Murray and we rode together to the Lunch Truck situated under a group of Camel Thorn trees. Exploring the lunch position, I came across two German war graves, from the Herero War of Rebellion (1904 to 1907). Both soldiers had died in 1906, Corporal Rob Lietz (21 yrs) and Cavalier L Lichte (27 yrs). Both died young and buried far away from their beloved homeland Germany, a poignant reminder that Namibia is a beautiful, but harsh country.

Arrived at the finish at Canon Roadhouse and went straight for a swim at the swimming pool, the water was cold, but very refreshing after the day’s dry and dusty ride. Some of the other adventurous riders and Lunch Truck riders, cycled to Hobas and then to the Fish River Canyon View Point, a 32km round trip. Judith and I didn’t go as we had seen the Fish River Canyon on numerous other occasions (having hiked the Canyon twice previously), but definitely worth a visit if seeing it for the first time as it is the second largest Canyon in the world after the Grand Canyon in the USA.

Retreated to the Roadhouse Restaurant/Bar for some liquid and solid carbo-loading, the Bar being one of my favourites in Namibia. A good time was had by all, and what made it even that more special, was that we had reached the 10 000km mark which we (Murray, Mike vd Berg and I) celebrated later that evening with copious amounts of Amarula!!

Cheers,

Mike T

German colonial war graves from the Herero War of Rebellion (1904 - 1907)

Riders enjoying a rather sedate lunch

The Swimming Pool at Canon Roadhouse

Large Quiver Tree

Judith & Murray enjoying their afternoon snack

Club Sandwich proved a popular choice at the Bar

The Bar at the Canon Roadhouse

Ode to Wine

Ode to Beer

Dr. Helen attending to Dag at the old Ambulance

Andrew and Linda enjoying dinner next to the old Ambulance

The Three Musketeers before celebrating the achievement of reaching 10 000km cycled

Later in the evening the Party reached a crescendo

Konkiep Lappa to Seeheim (127km) - Namibia

Namibia

Day 111 - May 3 - Stage 78

Started with Judith, and after 31km on relatively good dirt road reached the tar road and rode into Bethanie. Stopped at a Coffee Shop which was being overwhelmed by Riders, had a cappuccino and toasted ham, cheese with tomato sandwich, followed by another toasted sandwich. Judith enjoyed a good carrot cake with her tea. We were the second last riders to leave the Coffee shop!

At lunch which was at the 70km mark, Judith hopped on the truck, I rode alone and kept up quite a fast pace - wasn't caught by Brad the Sweep. Even though I was stopped by a bunch of German Tourists (from Hamburg in Germany) at a Lay-bye, who wanted to know why I was out cycling and I had to give them the complete TDA story before they would let me go on my way.

After riding 50km alone, I managed to catch up to Liz with 7km to go, we crossed the Fish River and turned off the tar road back onto the dirt. After enjoying today's luxury of cycling on the tar, we will be back onto the dirt for the next two days.

Camped in the Seeheim Hotel grounds, and the usual bunch of us abused their Bar and Restaurant facilities.

Tomorrow we cycle parallel to the Fish River down to the Canon Roadhouse, one of my favourite Namibian stop-over places.

Cheers,
Mike T