The Treloar Herald : Windhoek

Showing posts with label Windhoek. Show all posts

Windhoek to Weissenfels (123 km)

Namibia

Day 105 - Apr 27 - Stage 73

Thursday: Rode all the way to Weissenfels with Judith, while Mike van den Berg rode his first day of the Section. Judith and I rode out of Windhoek and just past the Windhoek Golf Club, we joined up with a road which we were very familiar with. It was the first stage of the 24 hour Desert Dash Mountain Bike Race road, a race from Windhoek to Swakopmund through the Namib Desert, which I had previously ridden. First in a Four-Man Team and a year later in a Two-Man Team.

So it was up the Kuffelberg Pass and onto the road towards Weissenfels, we enjoyed a good ride, through some stunning scenery of the Khomas Hoogeland. Where we arrived much later, only to be greeted by some of the other riders already abusing the makeshift Bar facilities!

After having a discussion with the Owner of the Guest Lodge, Wiliston, I discovered that he was selling mineral specimens from his collection, so I fortuitously bought a few of his specimens. One being a great Aragonite Crystal, which definitely deserves a place in my collection at home.

Cheers,
Mike T

Judith doing well cycling up the Pass

The top of the Pass - Which way to Walvis Bay ?

Some of the Ladies cycling up the Pass

Lunch Stop

The road stretches on for miles and miles !

Sometimes a photo gives the wrong impression.
Promise that I had help with these!

Team Carbo Load in Action

Staff dishing up supper for the Riders

Sitting around having supper around the still-warm braai fire

Weissenfels to Solitaire

2 Rest Days in Windhoek

Namibia

Days 103 &104 - Rest Days - Windhoek

Spent two well deserved Rest Day's in Windhoek, Capital of Namibia, at the Urban Rest Camp. Was pleasantly surprised with the facilities and the great reception and friendliness from the Staff at the Camp, will definitely stay there again when next in Windhoek.

Up early to join the Australian and New Zealand Riders and others, at the ANZAC Memorial Service, conducted at dawn at the Commonwealth War Memorial Site, commemorating the Battle of Gallipoli during the First World War. Attended by Australian, New Zealand, Turkish and Namibian Diplomats. Murray got to read the Ode, all very touching and quite emotional for me, as it included a reference to all those who had fallen. Afterwards, enjoyed coffee and snacks with the Dignitaries in attendance.

Then went off to the Mall for more coffee and breakfast, followed by a trip to the Bike Shop to get a new seat for Judith and for her to have a fitting.

Later in the day, I went off to the Windhoek International Airport and fetched Mike van den Berg, my good friend who was joining the Tour to do the last Section with us from Windhoek to Cape Town.

Dinner on the first rest night, was held at Joe's Beer House, which had been recommended and organised by myself, which was attended by the majority of the Riders, and enjoyed by all.

Day two was spent trying to update my Blog's and was generally a very NAFI Day for me. Mike VdB used the day to reassemble his bike and to get ready for the Tour.

Unfortunately, while changing our bike tyres from slicks (for tar roads) to mountain bike tyres (for riding on the dirt) I pulled my umbilical hernia again, and Dr. Helen couldn't get it to pop back into place, so she had to take me off to the local Hospital. There the Doctor in attendance managed to use her magical hands and got it to behave again. I was then read the riot act, if I continued to do heavy lifting and it popped again, I was to be sent home!!

So my last evening in Windhoek didn't end to well for me, although on the bright side of things, I was still allowed to continue cycling, as long as I behaved!

Cheers,
Mike T

The TDA Riders who attended the ANZAC Memorial Service

ANZAC Memorial Service in Windhoek

Thomas displaying his Waiter skills at Urban Camp

A "Metre of Beer" at Joes Beer House

Michael van den Berg arrives in Namibia

Welcome to Windhoek (Windy Corner)

Wise words displayed at Urban Camp

The next three day section - Windhoek to Sesriem

Windhoek to Weissenfels

Witvlei to Windhoek (153 km)

Namibia

Day 102 - Apr 24 - Stage 72

Monday: Judith was not feeling well, so she decided to take the Main Truck into Windhoek.
Myself, I rode the day with Philip. A few kilometers into the ride we came across a vehicle accident where a Toyota Hilux Double Cab had hit a Kudu Antelope (Buck) which had jumped out into the road. Unfortunately, the passenger was severely injured, but was being treated by the Emergency Services when we arrived on the scene.

At the Kalahari Padstal, we joined some of the other riders and stopped for Coffee & Biltong/Droëwors, also had our photo's taken by the owner, to be included in her own personal collection.

Rode in a peleton to lunch (with Liz, Marie, Philip and myself) and again after lunch, where we were joined by Andje. Riding together certainly made it so much easier and we managed to keep up a good pace until we reached the hills outside of Windhoek. Each one of us getting a chance and taking the front and setting the pace, in 5 minute intervals.

Had a great Coke Stop at the International Airport Filling Station (cold drinks, chocolates and ice creams) before completing the final 42km into Windhoek.

Big Hills coming into Windhoek, but with the help of an emergency Red Bull, I managed to get over them relatively easily. Then it was down into the Suburbs with our first stop at the Specialized Cycle Shop. The first proper Bike Shop since we had left Cairo, we were like small kids in a sweet shop!!

Cycled the last few km's to 'Urban Camp', organised our accommodation, then off to the Bar. All in all, a great day's cycling after my forced day-off yesterday.

Cheers,
Mike T