Having spent some time in Namibia a couple of years ago I was going into this section of riding with my eyes wide open. My expectation was long dusty corrugated roads. But this was only the half of it. Quite literally I had everything thrown at me and just about crawled out alive!
As 100 days approached since we stood at the Pyramids in Egypt, so arrived my first bought of sickness.
I had been lucky to date, vigilant, but having woken up with a super high fever and no ability to keep in food. I knew my ambition of riding all the way to Cape Town was well and truly done.
I was bitterly disappointed (and probably still am). Having to make the decision to get onto the truck was super difficult.
But when one of the riders came to put their arm around me and said “it is not because you can’t, it is because you shouldn’t “ I knew the decision I had made was the right one. I had to stick to the principles I set before the tour. One of them being do not risk your health.
An even more difficult day materialised a day in the dog box on the truck being thrown around on the washboard roads, feeling even more sick!
I managed to limit my days off the bike to one. However if it wasn’t for the scenery of the coming days to take my mind of feeling sick. It could have been more.
The riding threw everything at us and was the toughest section of the tour so far.
We had everything from thick sand to champagne gravel, dust and searing heat. But we all made it through this challenging section unscathed.
The views each day were hard to capture on a phone with us skirting Fish River Canyon on the last day. The second biggest canyon in the world and we were the only ones in it. A truly special moment.
Whilst riding days were tough, rest days allowed us to experience the famous sand dunes and Dead Vlei, quite the bucket list items.
As the days are now counting down the campsites improved and the night temperatures dropped.
Also the Apple Pie wars ramped up with every accommodation claiming to have the best Apple Pie in Namibia. It felt like a national obsession.
As I sit on the banks of the Orange River, across the other side looms South Africa. The last segment of this incredible journey and six rides away from the end.
For now this prospect seems scary, but up until it is over. I will savour every last pedal stroke.
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