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Date Time Start: 2018/05/05 08:08
Date Time End: 2018/05/05 17:05
Travel Time: 08h57
Odometer Start: 83810
Odometer End: 84345
Total Distance (km): 482.25
Weather:
Luderitz: Clear skies at 19.5C
Weltevrede: Clear skies at 32C
Trip Summary:
When the weather permits, Luderitz is a lovely town to visit with lots of history and historical sites to visit which Lynne and I had done previously. This was one of those occasions. I drove around town and took photos of some of the old buildings before heading to my next destination.
I stopped at Klein-Aus Vista just before Aus for breakfast. They were having an off road cycle event and were busy. Nice place to stay on route to somewhere.
Today was the longest dirt road trip done yet of 428km. Generally the road was good with long sections of heavy corrugatons, then sand, then fine gravel and then heavy gravel and mixtures thereof. I generally rode between 80 and 100km/hr. There were sections that one could have ridden at 140km/hr but you never know when a bad section will suddenly appear.
After the first 107km I stopped off to refuel at Helmeringhausen. I noticed a coffee sign at the hotel across the road. There was a bus load of German tourists visiting. I dropped in and had coffee and apple pie. When I got the bill, I was shocked - They must have taken me for a tourist. They charged R50 for the apple pie. The tourists were busy leaving and were taking pictures of my dusty bike - Probably to tell there friends about the crazy tourists from South Africa.
Breakfast at Klein-Aus Vista
Rear Mud Guard bolts missing
Coffee & Apple Pie at Helmeringhausen Hotel
I continued along the C27 and about 10km from Betta, I saw a guy sitting under a tree with his bicyle next to the road. I stopped to enquire if all was OK. He was resting considering is was 32C. His name is Edwarrd and from Netherlands and was riding from Cape Town to Cairo. I asked if he had food and water and he said "no". I gave him 500ml of water and a health energy bar before continuing.
I stopped about 60km before Sesriem to enjoy the view and make a cup of coffee. In the distance I could make out something moving. I hauled out my binochulars and could see Oryx and Zebra.
The C3 Road heading North
Edward resting under a tree
Edward from Netherlands cycling from Cape Town to Cairo
I stopped at 3 camp sites at Sesriem (Sossiesvlei) to enquire about camping and all were fully booked. This was not a concern as I still could do a bushcamp if needed. I found the next nearest camp site on my Garmin called Weltevrede. What a great little jewel that one typically drives past in a cloud of dust and wonders "who goes there?" Know I know. I am glad things turned out like this. There were other visitors who I joined and sat around around the boma before dinner at 07h30. Dinner included Gemsbok that the farmer had hunted. The bar worked on an honesty basis and you help yourself and marked your purchases down on a sheet.
For the first time on the trip I pitched the tent without the top sheet cover so I could see the stars as I lay in bed. Out here, there are no city lights to impact star gazing so you see the Milky Way very clearly.
I noticed the "wheel guard" was hanging skew and on closer inspection it was being supported by one of three bolts. One bolt had sheared off. I removed the guard and tied it to my bike.
Coffee break where I saw Zebra and Oryx
Entrance to Weltevrede
Scenary along the C27 road to Betta
Accommodation: Camping
Weltevrede is a farm with camping and challets.
Hospitality is fantastic and nothing is too much effort. If needed, they will even pack you padkos for your journey. Camps are rustic, each with your own washing area, braai, light, electricity and water.
You are handed a form on arrival and Annie asks whether you having dinner and breakfast. Everything from drinks and Wi Fi is recorded on the form and handed in when you leave to tally up the amount owed.
They have a lovely lapa where guests meet and enjoy drinks at the bar and meals.
Being out on a farm in the middle of nowhere does not pose security threats so there is none
My camping friend the Gheko
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