18 Apr : Livingstone - Kasane
Thank you to Lodewyk & Margaretha de Clercq for sponsoring all the way from the UK! Hope Jos has been "recharged" after the long stop at Vic Falls
UPDATE : 18 April 2010
I just finished with high tea on the stoep of the vic falls hotel , my third in so many days. We arrived in Livingstone on Thursday. A number of us crossed immediately to the Zim side. We had 2 rest days, quite a luxury, and are heading for Botswana t/row. I had the most relaxing 2 days, massages, lying around at the pool and plenty of food.Also nice to be in ZImbabwe again. there seems to be more activity than with my previous visit but most visitors stays on the Zambian side.
The view of the falls from the hotel is magic, put it on your to do list if you have not been here. The mist above the falls also the highest and widest I have ever seen it.
The section from Lilongwe to Livingstone was the least memorable of the trip so far. It was long days in the saddle with not much change in scenery. After entering Zambia we spend 4 days cycling to Lusaka on the Great Eastern Road, not sure what is great about it, pretty boring, not much traffic or people. Spend the 1st night at a great campsite Mama-Rula which is owned by Afrikaans speaking ex-Zimbabweans, so great food etc. The next 3 nights at so called schools, which means no facilities and if you have a vivid imagination you can picture maybe a sports field after a few years of intensive gardening. The organisers, TDA, have a knack for choosing pretty depressing campsites. The general mood of the group was not great. The third month is also know as the "gatvol" month.
I stayed with friends in Lusaka, thanks Phil & debs for hosting me and Phil medical expertise was used for quite a nasty fall by a rider. The locals cycle on the wrong side of the road which have resulted in quite a few close calls and 1 serious accident.The few days out of Lusaka of Livingstone also pretty boring but at least we cycled through a few towns were we could get some food. Had massive pizza's 1 day and t-bone steaks the next. The 1st hour on the bike after such a meal is not pleasant but still preferred to TDA's food. We do all kind of things to entertain oursleves on the bikes, sport quizz, gabriel learning us Italian and not only swear words or him singing us some opera. I broke my second saddle. I use a Fizzik Gobi, which they claim is the best mountain bike saddle. HA HA HA. Gerald wive came to join him at the falls so she brought me a new saddle that will hopefully last. I have no photos with this update as Gerald is otherwise engaged but visit his blog. africanride.blogspot.com for some amazing pictures although the number of photos he takes a day also took a major dip in this section.
Our business lounge/locker 9 is still going strong. Should also receive a fresh supply of salami, Swiss cheeses and chocolates from Gabriel brother that joins us for the next stage. We crossing into Botswana t/row and if should be in cape town in exactly 4 weeks from today, 15 May. We reached the 8000 km mark this week and our next rest day is in Maun in Botswana.
Thanks for all your support.
17 April - No news
Oh no - we have not forgotten Jos, but think the riders might have forgotten us. As far as we know they are at Vic Falls and possibly having great meals and beers. And some of them might be jumping off bridges - not that they have not had enought excitement the last few months!! Will update you as soon as we hear from Jos!
15 Apr : Choma Roadside Camp - Livingstone
Thank you Ace Contracting for helping Jos through Central Africa. Your contribution to our charity is greatly appreciated!
Update : 14 April
185km Flat ride in 6H32 minutes. Stopped for a big lunch of fried bream, so the last 40km to the camp was painful. Sleeping in a small basic rondawel 150km from Livingstone. Buzz of excitement in camp re the 2 rest days at Vic Falls.
Update : 13 April
Relative easy 160 km ride out of Lusaka thanks to tailwind. Had big Debonairs pizza for lunch. Camping in very basic site, at least a cold shower. Had a great stay at Phil & Debs!
Update : 11 & 12 April
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Easy 105 km ride to Lusaka. Off the bike by 10:45. Staying with friends, Phil and Debbie, which is a nice change from hotels. Had a relaxing rest day, did some shopping and had plenty of food!
(Heard that Jos is playing down conditions. Zambia and some of the camps have been a nightmare according to Gerald and some of the other riders. No water or toilets, bitten by spiders and ants - hope it will get better Jos!)
UPDATE : 10 APRIL
Though day - 150km riding with 2200 m of climbing and very hot. Had fun as the Italian sang opera to us. Plenty of coke stops. Tomorrow 100km to Lusaka for a rest day!
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