The Treloar Herald : Sand

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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

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

Betta to Konkiep Lappa (153km) - Namibia

Namibia

Day 110 - May 2 - Stage 77

Judith took the truck to lunch and rode the 73km from the lunch position to Camp, where as I started from Betta with Philip, with the intention of riding the whole day. Cycled 80km to lunch, and not unlike yesterday, the road was very corrugated or sandy, or a combination of both. I couldn't carry on from lunch, I am just too fatigued, so climbed the Lunch Truck.

Lunch Truck stopped at the Helmeringhausen Hotel, so I had apple crumble and beers with Murray, who was not cycling on the day.

Arrived at Konkiep Lapa Camp; fortunately Judith had enjoyed a great ride, and was in great spirits. I will try and complete a full ride again tomorrow.

Cheers,
Mike T