The Final Frontier
Monday 30th April. Felix Unite Camp to Springbok. 133km
A cold start today. We had a little shelter to eat breakfast in though, with overhead lights, which felt very civilised...not using headtorches. Marty, fully recovered from his Malaria, was dressed for the occasion and raring to go. I was procrastinating and avoiding getting started as I didn't want to take my down jacket off. After about 20mins I realised that I could just wear it until I got to the border and leave it with the Tallis and Steph to bring to camp. With this in mind I set off, the moon setting on one side and sun rising on the other.
It was a short 13km to the Namibian-South Africa bridge border. I was quite far behind due to my procrastination. The Border crossing was very smooth, for most of us.
Marty, the true Kiwi, ran into problems. New Zealanders need a visa to enter South Africa. The visa is only valid for 3 months. He had been informed that he would have to get his at the border as it would be expired if he got one before departing NZ. Reality: no visas issued at the border. No entry. After 12 days recovering from Malaria. finally ready to go. On the road again to complete the Cairo to Cape Town adventure, and he is stopped 13km into his first day back. Tallis worked with the border officials to see if there was a way round the situation. It was no good. He wasn't getting in today. The plan is for him to return to Windhoek and get a visa, then join us asap further south. Potentially in Cape Town. What a disappointment. Not just for him, but for us too. None of us were sure what had prevailed at the border until we stopped and got an update from Ryan at lunch. It was like Chinese whispers all morning, every time I passed a rider I would hear a slight variation of the outcome. In light of Marty's situation I was determined to appreciate being on my bike and being able to continue with the tour. That lasted for he first 30km. There was a headwind, a strong headwind, and a hill. A counterwind is my cycling nemesis. I hate it. It is draining, tedious and greatly debilitating. It contributes nothing to the enjoyment of the ride at all. Hills usually provide more interesting scenery, and at least you're rewarded with an endpoint and a downhill. Dirt tracks are often accompanied by some form of environmental interest, and are at least mentally occupying. After 38kms of battling the wind, I was close to tears. Mentally and physically drained. Speeds of 13km/h. I had been trying to boost my morale by keeping a tally of the no of people I had overtaken. But that entertain mentnhad dried up over 45mins ago. I was playing the mantra, 'I just have to keep going, if you stop hen your speed drops even more. Just keep pedalling. Sustainable speed and heart rate.' I was approaching a lay by, and considering a mental health break, and half a peanut butter and jam sandwich to boost morale. Plans foiled, there were three people in the layby, waiting for a bus, gathered around a tree. That would be nice, just catch a bus through the wind. As I got closer I noticed an orange helmet. And a purple too. Steph! And Mo! And Jenna. What a relief. My tears never came. I was convinced I would never catch a group in this wind, and they were right there, just near the top of the hill. Like angels in Lycra. I was so relieved. They had stopped for a bush break and something to eat, and all seemed to gather at once! I took my mental health break before jumping in a saying I was going to tag along with the three of them until lunch. Assuming that they were going to co tonite on together, and accept my presence. They kindly accommodated my desires. And we battled on against the wind and hill together. He situation improved unfathomably. Turned out it was only 5km to the top of the hill. Downhill into a headwind isn't as bad as uphill. Also when you're at the back of a group of four, the headwind is softened too.
Happy Emma. Then the road turned and the headwind became a tail/crosswind :). All the way to lunch. Egg salad for lunch. And a new revelation, banana and Nutella = good combo. We stuck together after lunch. The headwind and hills intermittent. Another mental health break mid afternoon.
Looked like a local bloke had the same idea as he was sleeping on the deck of his ute! We arrived in Soringbok at about 3pm. It was an established campsite, and we each had our own pitch. The first time we have come across this. Generally it is camp anywhere between these markers. Hot water. Springbok is a small town, just off the highway. I cycled down there in about 10mins and found a phone shop for a simcard. The quickest and most efficient simcard and data purchase of the whole trip. Complete and successful within 5mins! I then found somewhere for coffee and enjoyed some Sanctuary before returning to camp for rider meeting and dinner. This north western region of South Africa has the feel of a poor economic demographic. Outside the supermarket was a whole board of anti drug and alcoholic adverts, and helplines. The majority of people on the streets were coloured (I hope this isn't considered racist, it's meant as an observation without judgement!) and English appeared to be the second language. It had a similar feel to Kawerau, or even a larger Taneatua. Having researched the town, it was established as a service centre for the nearby copper mines. It is still an important centre however the main income now is from passing tourist trade on the way to/from the Namibian border (like us). Kitkat chunky as an after dinner treat. Make the most of the extra consumption. For the last 6 days because soon my energy expenditure will be alotr less! Abby said her favourite chocolate bar was kitkat chunky. At the time I disagreed but couldn't offer an alternative. I. Ow think I may agree with her!
