UPDATE : WINDHOEK

This is probably my last e-mail update before reaching cape town. Will still send daily sms to the blog. Arrived in Windhoek yesterday after another though long day of 6.5 hours cycling and my legs are not "happy" today.

The route from Livingstone was via Nata & Maun to the Namibian border and from there via Gobabis to Windhoek. We covered +1500km in 9 days cycling so long distances each day, fortunately mainly flat but wind was becoming a problem the last few days. Also had my 1st 200+ km on the bike on the Mando day of 207km. Find the best tempo for these long days to be about 30kmph at 60-70% of max heart rate.We encountered rain almost every day on this section which is supposed to be barren, dry & hot. I do not think I have seen such long stretches of straights roads like this. The treat of the day is the coke stops. On this section they were few & far between. Some days none, so my 8-10 soft drink intake is down quite a bit. Had a few inetresting detours is small villages looking for it.(see botswana pig 165). Normally they spot quite a bit of game on this section, mainly elephant but we only saw few impala day out of Livingstone. Not sure if it because of the rain but we only saw elephant poo.

Last bush camp or so we thought ......
We stayed at a few nice lodges on this section and I manage to stay out of my tent for 5 succesive nights. Hope to improve this record. The 1st night out of Maun was supposed to be our last bush camp (sleeping next to the road with no facilities). We decided to celebrate this momentous occasion in style with Gabriel cooking Risotto for the group with Gerald and myself as his assistants. They both good cooks but after asking me to chop the onions they decided it is better that I do not handle any sharp instruments. So I just made sure that the wine glasses stayed full as it was a cold rainy day and even washed a pot or two. (see botswana pigs 153,161,157,168)

The day after crossing into Namibia we were supposed to sleep in campsite at witvlei (not even a 1 horse town). On arrival it was no more so we had another bush camp in a veld full "duweltjies" and no more wine left to lift our spirits. Spend yesterday an hour removing "duweltjies" from my tent, sandals, mattress etc. So hopefully that was the final one.


Ban on cheeseburgers....
The second day of the trip Gerald & myself almost lost our EFI status after being caught in a massive storm after 2 hour lunch at a resort on the Red sea. The day out of Maun we stopped for lunch at a lovely lodge Plannet Boabab after 100km where we spend 3 hours having cheeseburgers, chocolate cake etc as well a siesta. Leaving 2pm were still joking that at least there is no headwind or storm only to he hit by a massive storm at 145km. It felt like hail as the rain hit us. Fortunately TDA had a car at 150km for refilling our water bottles. We managed to there and then took shelter until the storm passed and got to camp at only 5pm. So no more cheeseburgers until we are in Cape Town.


People doing amazing things ....
The oldest person on the trip is a surgeon from Canada who joined us in Zambia. He turned 71 on Sunday and cycled the whole 207km of that day. The oldest full tour rider is a 69 year old German who, barred recovering from a fall, completed all but 3 days so far. So it can be done.

We are leaving Windhoek t/row en route to Sousiesvlei & Fish River Canon and crossing into SA on 8 may. The route to SA border all on dirt which will be a welcome change from tar. It is however also considered one the more challenging sections so hopefully the legs will hold.

Should arrive in Cape Town waterfront around noon on 15 May 2010, so this is the final stretch. Have not yet reached the target of R100 000 so any donations still much appreciated. I am now on my old SA number (0827737894) if you want to reach but please sms as I am not retrieving voice messages. Also saw 1st road sign to SA (see pig 163)

Thanks for all the support and see you soon