217 kilometers, 555 m total ascent, 29°C maximum. This is our longest ride on the Tour. Colleen reassured us that we were all in good shape and could complete the distance with no problem. Like many endurance endeavors, we were advised not to mentally defeat ourselves before or during the ride.
Colleen spent a lot of time detailing the logistics to get us through this long riding day, including mileage points at which TDA vehicles would be parked and waiting, to fill our water and Gatorade bottles. We were reminded that staying well-hydrated was critical.
As a departure from TDA policy, she allowed for a 15 minute earlier start, before the sun had risen.
A few kilometers down the road, the sun began to peek above the horizon.
I had the misfortune of getting a rear flat tire at about 35 km (as if 217 km was not enough and I needed a handicap!). I discovered the trifecta of a thorn, a wire fragment, and a glass shard in my tire. The thorn was superficial, and not poking through the inner wall of the tire. Later at camp, I found both a small pinhole puncture and a 2nd larger hole in the tube. I suspect the wire fragment and the glass both symbiotically contributed to the flat.
Two more bus stops with modernized renditions of Bushmen art.
We initially headed due south, but after 50 km turned right to head straight west towards Namibia.
We were blessed with a tailwind going south, but after turning west, we experienced a much less helpful crosswind for the rest of the day.
Dark clouds coalesced, and a rain storm drenched us before we made it to lunch at 110 km.
TDA had a “refresh stop” for us at 165 km. They provided ice cold Coca-Cola, bananas, and water bottle refills.
At the border, we were stamped out on the Botswana side without too much trouble. After crossing no man’s land, the Namibian border entry was temporary closed because of a fire alarm. We had to cool our heels for about a half hour, before immigration control re-opened to stamp us in to Namibia.
Our final destination at East Gate Camp was less than a kilometer after the Namibian border.
As we neared the Namibian border, there was another storm brewing, but this one skirted us to the south, and we did not get wet.
At the border, we were stamped out on the Botswana side without too much trouble. After crossing no man’s land, the Namibian border entry was temporary closed because of a fire alarm. We had to cool our heels for about a half hour, before immigration control re-opened to stamp us in to Namibia.
Our final destination at East Gate Camp was less than a kilometer after the Namibian border.
We all mad it to camp safely, including Vincent, who took it as a personal challenge and arrived at 7 pm. Everyone cheered wholeheartedly with his appearance.
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