Kliprant to Nieuwoudtville (140km) - South Africa

South Africa

Day 117 – May 9 – Stage 83

Woke up to a freezing, misty, and drizzling Kliprant, decided that due to the unpleasant weather, poor gravel road conditions and my general state of fatigue, that I would take the Lunch Truck to the lunch position, then cycle the rest of the way to Camp from there. I would be missing out the longest portion of dirt road surface (lunch would be at 75km while the tar would start at the 85km mark).  It seems as if this sentiment was shared by quite a few of the other riders as the Lunch Truck was full when we left Camp after breakfast.

Judith, unfortunately was feeling worse than I was, and under Doctor’s orders, she took the Main Truck to Nieuwoudtville, a blessing in disguise, since she would be able to erect the tent and organise our camp spot before I completed the day’s ride.

Rob, Murray, Tom & Deborah riding the Lunch Truck to the lunch position

Justina, Mike T and Philip on their way to the lunch position

At the lunch position, accompanied by the other riders who caught the truck, I helped Wynand to set up the truck awning and to prepare the food for lunch. Had a quick early lunch and left just before the Main Truck reached the lunch position.

By skipping the first half of the day’s ride, I was able to eliminate the worst portion of the day’s gravel section and after 19km was back on the tar, where I was joined by Murray.  We rode together all the way to Camp, but it wasn’t easy, as we had a long pass to negotiate, with some major climbing to do, and the climbing was not made any easier by some very weary legs...

Riders helping Wynand erect the Lunch Truck awning

Murray, Philip and Justina having an early lunch before riding the second half of the day to Nieuwoudtville

The Bokkeveld between Kliprant and Nieuwoudtville

Murray and a Bridge on the road to Nieuwoudtville share the same age (60 years old)

Murray negotiating another long slow hill on the way to Camp

I eventually reached Nieuwoudtville and went straight to the Village’s only Coffee Shop where we spent some quality-time drinking cream soda floats and eating toasted sandwiches, before making our way to Camp, situated about 3km outside of the Village. Later just before Briefing, I took a ride back into the Village to organise some liquid carbo-loading refreshments from the one and only bottle store.

It was a very cold night, since Nieuwoudtville is situated on the Bokkeveld Plateau (where the Cape Fynbos meets the Hantam Karoo). Sad to say, but an early winter is upon us.  I am definitely missing the equatorial heat!

Cheers,
Mike T

The Riders enjoying their supper

While others enjoy their supper on their own

A full moon rises over a chilly Nieuwoudtville Camp

Andje pitching her tent in the fading light

Briefing board - Nieuwoudtville to Clanwilliam 

Sunset approaches...

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Solitaire to Sesriem (83 km)

Namibia

Day 107 - Apr 29 - Stage 75

Saturday: Back out on the gravel roads of Namibia, which seem to alternate between either a smooth or heavily corrugated (sometimes rocky) surfaces. At times they also include soft sand, and overall the roads here are more a Mountain Biker's Heaven than a roadie fest.


Judith cycled with the girls, who in true TDA tradition, stripped off their kit & rode the "Naked Mile" before lunch. Two of the Racing Snakes, Charles and Mark rode the complete 30 km Time Trial naked, much to the delight of the numerous Tourists in the immediate area. I waited until after lunch before doing my naked mile pose, photographed by Philip for prosperity's sake.

My solo "Naked Mile" effort for Tradition's sake

We arrived at Sesriem Camp, and TDA had to camp in the "Overflow Area" as the Camp was fully booked. TDA are aware of their dates well in advance, so why didn't they book proper camping facilities in advance!?  Really piss-poor organisation on their part (shower facilities were about 600m away from where we were camping!!). Did not take a room, as the accommodation is totally overpriced at Sesriem.

On arrival at Sesriem I went straight to the Bar to join Murray and Mike vd Berg, which wasn't the proper thing to do, Judith had to erect the tent by herself in strong winds, so I was not the most popular person in camp!!  In hindsight, not the cleverest thing to have ever done, and I should have known better.

Anyway, late afternoon & accompanied by a number of the other riders, we took a trip in the Lunch Truck into Sossusvlei, to climb Dune 45 and to appreciate the glorious sunset over the Namib Desert.

We will enjoy tomorrow's rest day at Sesriem, and have nothing special planned. Some of the other Riders will be going off early into Sossusvlei to see the sunrise, while others will be cycling a short distance to see Sesriem Canyon. We have previously done both, so will be giving it a miss.


Cheers,
Mike T

The Ladies doing their "Naked Mile" ride

Tallis and Helen at the start of the Time Trial

Charles and Mark rode the complete Time Trial naked!

Camping in the Overflow Area at Sesriem 

Gemsbok (Oryx) sighting while on the way to Dune 45

Michael, Andje and Philip on the way to Dune 45.
Still sleepy Mike?

Walking around Sossusvlei before climbing Dune 45

Michael on his way up the Dune

Starting the climb up Dune 45 one of the highest dunes in the world

Sitting and enjoying a sun-downer at the top of the Dune. We even had ice!

Sunset over the Dunes of the Namib Desert as seen from Dune 45

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Soccer Field to School at Biti Manayanga (128km)

Tanzania

Day 67 - March 20 - Stage 46

Monday: Our good luck on the Seven Day Section finally broke, and on day five of seven, the rains caught up to us and turned our simple lives upside down.

Sometimes you have to take a detour to keep dry and mud free
Today was a wet day!

I rode with Judith up to lunch truck, she then stopped and took the lunch truck to camp. I continued and after lunch rode with Liz to Camp.  We were caught in heavy rain twice while out on the road. Not even my rain jacket could keep me dry.  The rain just gets in everywhere, it drenches your clothes, shoes and your hydration pack.

Approximately three kilometers from the end, Liz had a puncture, she had no spare tube (my spare tube was too big for her tire) so we walked the last 3km into camp.

Meanwhile back at the Camp, Judith was busy putting up the tent when the heavens opened up without any warning, everything became wet, Judith, our tent and our daily bags were soaked!

Later it stopped raining long enough to get the tent dry, however none of our clothes would dry out, we would have to put wet cycling clothes on in the morning!

We had Briefing followed by supper, then it started raining hard again, so we had to pack up our bags with wet clothes in our tent. 

We went to sleep with the sound of pouring rain, knowing we were going to start cycling in wet clothes come the morning.

Cheers,
Mike T

Stunning Tanzanian sunrise

Still encountering bee hives hanging in the trees

Busy Lunch Truck stop

The Rivers are flowing strongly from the ongoing rain

Land Rover opening up Africa so that the others can follow

Briefing Board for tomorrow's ride

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Boroto Game Post to Soccer Field (113km)

Day 66 - March 19 - Stage 45

Ingenious home made bicycle we saw today

Sunday: It was classified as an easy day today, but to put it into perspective, we did another Argus, and we did it on a dirt road!  Things have just become so surreal!

Left Camp and continued on the dirt road, the instructions for today were relatively easy, turn right onto the dirt road, continue for 57km to Lunch Truck. Then continue to finish at the 113km mark. Camp at a Soccer Field on the right side of the road. You will go through numerous Villages where you will be able to find a coke stop. It doesn't get much easier than that.

To our credit, both Judith and I did the full distance, and managed two coke stops for the day, one before lunch and one after lunch, and we arrived at our destination relatively early in the afternoon. Fortunately we encountered no rain, even though it was overcast for most of the day.

Approximately 200m from the finish, we were greeted by a group of riders, who had decided Mamma Christine's Bar was a designated Bar Stop, so we joined in the festivities. It was soon evident that some riders had been there much earlier than others, and a good time was had by all.

Once at Camp, we couldn't pitch our tent at the suggested spot (on the Soccer Field) because there was a soccer match scheduled to begin at 5pm. We pitched our tent out of the designated area and decided we were not going to move it.

Had the Briefing Session and enjoyed supper while the soccer match was in progress. The Home side were one goal down, with the score 1-2, when they scored an equaliser. The Referee incredibly then disallowed it (those riders who were watching all agreed it was a legitimate goal). This caused a riot, chaos ensured, causing the match to be abandoned! 

I managed to organise a bucket of fresh water from the locals (for 1 000 Shillings) did some laundry (my riding kit) and had a welcomed bucket wash. Then off to the tent for another early evening :)

Cheers,
Mike T

Old bicycles waiting for better days at Game Post 1.

These bikes surely have a story or two to tell?

Fortunately the road had dried out since the last rain

Phillip posing with the Proprietor at the mornings designated Coke Shop

The ladies always seem to be quite popular with the locals

Roadworks encountered on the morning's ride

Now and again its quite beneficial to take a rest

Local Rider carrying his own spare bike

Debating the merits of having a Coke Stop

Andje taking a "selfie" with the local kids

Local Villagers at the afternoon's Coke Stop who would later arrive at the Camp to play soccer against the home side

Close up of of the home made bike showing the crank system

Riders frequenting Madam Christine's Bar

Phillip enjoying a cold beer after a hard day in the saddle

Kim and Kyle having some quality time at the bar

Madam Christine supervising the Bar activities

This evening's tented camp

Soccer players from the Away Team arrive to play the Local Team

Briefing Board for tomorrow's ride to Biti Manayanga

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