Nata Lodge to Bush Camp (186km)

Botswana

Day 95 - Apr 17 - Stage 66

Monday: Cycled the longest distance of the Tour so far today (even did an extra 2km by riding into Planet Baobab and stopping for a milkshake) and another Personal Best. 

At the 42km mark we were portaged on the Main Truck for approximately 2km over the flooded Nata region to Gweta Road, while some of the other Riders were transported on a flat-bed tow truck. This part of Botswana has definitely had extensive rain lately.

A flooded Botswana roadside

Water crossing over the road in some places

Water, and more water everywhere

When I left Nata Lodge with Judith, I rode with her to lunch at the 86km mark.  She has decided that as long as she completes a minimum  of 70/80km - 100km per day she is at liberty to climb the Lunch Truck. So after lunch I rode with Philip.  Lunch was at a most picturesque position, right next to an imposing Baobab Tree. Beautiful.

Stopped at Planet Baobab after lunch with Philip, even though we had to do an extra 2km of riding to get there and back on the designated route. We both ordered Milkshakes at the Bar... what has become of us?? 

The Lunch Truck also stopped and Judith took some beers to camp for a few of us to enjoy later on. Bless her soul.

Today was a difficult ride in the sense that it was so long, flat and boring. But only one more day of riding and then its a well-deserved rest day in the city of Maun.

Cheers
Mike T

Liz ready to leave Nata Lodge

And Andje getting ready to cycle out of Nata Lodge as well.

Wendy, is a lady on a mission as she starts the day's ride

So far on the road and no further (not for the next 2 km)

Loading the bikes onto the Main Truck

Linda and Andrew in the Main Truck "Dog Box"

Some more riders being portaged in the Main Truck

The Truck leaving a bow wave behind it as it passes through the water

Looking up the road from the Main Truck

Some of the Cyclists enjoying their ride on the flat-bed tow truck

Niklas leaving the lunch truck with Baobab in the background

Baobab graffiti :/

The turn-off for "Planet Baobab"

Ordering milkshakes in the Bar at Planet Baobab

Great looking Amstel chandelier in the Planet Baobab Bar

Notice Board announcing the Teams for the up coming Team Time Trial

Bush Camp Bike Mechanic time

Tomorrow's ride, Bush Camp to Maun

Happiness is your own concrete tent foundation...

Sunrise at Bush Camp


_

Elephant Camp to Nata Lodge (143km)

Botswana

Day 94 - Apr 16 - Stage 65

Easter Sunday: Left the Elephant Camp with Judith, but then later took off with Philip when he came past. Rode up to lunch at 75km, and we saw no wildlife at all, Judith on the other hand, accompanied by Liz, managed to get up close and personal with a large Elephant!

Well, I only stopped so that I could read the sign!!

Nata Town was our first Coke Stop at 134km into the ride (coke stops in Botswana are very few and far between).  Arrived at Nata Lodge and was exhausted, had either a side wind or head wind the whole day long, it was a difficult day for me.

Booked in at Nata Lodge Chalet, It's located very close to the Makgadikgati Salt Pans and is quite posh indeed. Off to the Bar for a well-earned beer and swim in the pool, the Lodge has definitely changed a lot since I was last here quite a few years ago and was a good way to spend Easter.

After Briefing and supper, Judith and I spent some quality time at the Bar using their WiFi to catch up on the social network scene. 

Tomorrow will be another tough day for me, Tallis the Tour Leader tells us there are parts of the road which are flooded, so the ride should prove quite interesting, also it's a long 185 km distance!!


Cheers,
Mike T

Judith & Liz getting close and personal with the Elephant

"Liz look, I think I see an Elephant!" Just moments before.

Foot and Mouth Control Gate after lunch

Briefing Board - Nata to Bush Camp (tomorrow's ride...)

Judith & Liz's Elephant crossing the road

Today we reached the 8000 km mark!

_