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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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

Michael vd Berg (Farmer Mike) getting ready for his ride

Marie and Liz ready to leave Betta Camp

Namibia's stark but beautiful countryside

An abandoned Anti-Climax

Philip a determined man on a mission

Large Sociable Weaver Nest 

Onward and into the hills we go

Lunch Truck offers some mid-day shade 

Interesting volcanic rock specimen 

Welcome Party at Helmeringhausen Hotel

Philip and Murray enjoying their apple crumble 

Delicious apple crumble

Marie enjoying the Coke Stop at the Hotel

Brad photo bombs a perfect Konkiep Lapa sunset

Judith and I splashed out and  took a wooden cabin instead of camping at Konkiep Lapa

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Karongo to Chitimba Bay (91km)

Malawi

Day 72 - Mar 25 - Stage 50

Saturday: It rained all night, but fortunately in the morning it cleared up. Starting to cycle in the rain is just not high on my list of happy moments!

We started riding and went straight into Town to draw more money at the ATM and to get a Malawi Sim card and data. Judith was lucky, I was not so fortunate (no micro-sim cards in stock) so I was still offline.

Cycled to lunch, just before lunch, Judith had her tire come off the rim.  Fortunately she was riding with Leo the Sweep Rider who is also our Bike Mechanic. He could assist her and fixed the puncture and placed the tire back onto the rim.

We were both not in a happy space, mentally or physically, so we climbed into the lunch truck, to get to Chitimba Beach for our two day rest period.

Driving towards Chitimba Beach in the truck, we came across an accident, a car had left the road at speed and had overturned. The locals had pulled the survivors onto the verge of the road and there were quite a few injured bodies lying on the road. Wynand and I got out of the truck (I was riding in the cab with him) to see if we could offer assistance, but there was nothing we could do, other than to organize for an Ambulance to come from Karonga.

There was a badly injured little girl, who I thought wouldn't make it, subsequently I became rather emotional on the remainder of the drive into Camp. I know nobody gets off this planet alive, but children shouldn't have to leave so early!

Stopped along the way to buy some accessories for the planned evening's Fancy Dress Party, and even managed to get a Malawian micro-sim card.

Finally arrived at Chitimba Beach Camp, after a very tough and mentally draining fortnight of riding. It is going to be a great two days rest.


The Fancy Dress Party was well attended, with some of the riders going to great extremes with their costumes. I went as a Zambian Soccer Player, while Judith went as a "Message" (Playfully mocking the American & Canadian Riders).  Her T-shirt read, "In America they call it 'Survivor', in Africa we call it Camping!".

Cheers,
Mike T 

Riders discussing the merits of a Coke Stop

Malawi Gin Distilling Company

Fishing Village on Lake Malawi

Village on the way to Chitimba Beach

Welcome to Chitimba Beach

Chitimba Beach Rules

Judith making new friends...

Judith discussing the Malawian political situation with Berndt

Relaxing on arrival at Chitimba Beach

Judith's Fancy Dress outfit

The Treloar's Snr all dressed-up and ready to party

Chef Errol preparing the evening's roast beef dinner

Tallis & Muli preparing the evenings vegetables 

Liz and Marie the Two Tsetse Fly's won the "Best Dressed" award

Niklas flanked by the two Maasai Farrows

Rupert the winner in the "African Section"

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Day 21- Stage 18 - Police Convoys, Chaos, and Khartoum

Sunrise & early morning bike-gathering...

Desert Camp to Khartoum (88 km)

Thursday: The day's riding-orders were to cycle to lunch at the 67km mark, have lunch and then at 11 am, form up into a convoy and ride into Khartoum. We thought it was going to be an easy ride, but weary legs and a crosswind decided otherwise.


We were the first to leave camp, but were soon overtaken by all the other riders. Judith was struggling at the back, and we decided I would cycle on at my pace and she would cycle with Sweep Rider Helen. 

If it was going to result in her arriving late for the lunch time rendezvous, then Tallis would go back and pick up Judith and Helen in the Land Cruiser and drive them to lunch. 

True to form; 5km from the lunch truck rendezvous, the Sudanese Police stopped all the riders until we could form a convoy (they were so keen they just couldn't wait until the lunch truck) much to the agitation of the riders.



After a lengthy wait,  they decided we could cycle on to lunch, so with much fanfare we rode to the lunch truck . At this stage Judith and Helen were still nowhere to be seen...


Lunch was taken on the outskirts of Khartoum in an area covered by litter, and we were surrounded by Police and Traffic Officials, it was organised chaos, Sudanese style.

To my astonishment and admiration, Judith arrived accompanied by Helen, she had cycled all the way and it wasn't necessary for Tallis to fetch them after all.


After lunch, we formed up into our designated positions, slower riders in the front, behind the Land Cruiser. So the Treloar's had the distinction of leading the convoy of TDA riders into the city center of Khartoum. Thanks go to "Super Muzz Murray" who pushed Judith (who was totally exhausted by this stage) on numerous occasions, as well as Bridgette, who shouted encouragement,  ensuring she stayed in front behind the Cruiser.  

Thanks also go out to the Sudanese Police and Traffic Police who with sirens blaring, ensured we reached the Hotel Camping Grounds in one piece, since the traffic in Khartoum was horrendous. Notwithstanding that our TDA convoy had the distinction of backing up the traffic for kilometers in all directions! 


Judith and I booked into the Grand Hotel Villa, after cycling the equivalent of over four Cape Argus Cycle Tours, and after 'enjoying' three Desert Camps we were determined to spoil ourselves. 

We unpacked our bags and accompanied by Niklas, we went off to the Hotel Restaurant, where we killed the salad's and pudding's from their late afternoon buffet.

Back in our room, Judith had a late afternoon snooze, while I caught up with social media at the Pool Area. Then after taking a shower, it was early to bed.

Tomorrow we hope to just relax and take in some sight-seeing.

Cheers,
Mike T

Lunch on the outskirts of Khartoum 

Waiting for the Police Convoy to form

Welcome to Khartoum...

In the Hotel Restaurant killing the salads and puddings at the late lunch buffet 

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