Cape Town approaches
Posted by David Saevitzon | Filed under Elephant Highway
Windhoek, Namibia, April 28, 2010
April 24 – April 28 : Maun, Botswana to Windhoek, Namibia
I’m updating the blog from my hotel room in Windhoek where we arrived yesterday for a rest day. The city is at elevation – we’re back at 1,650m – and is built on a series of hills. Quite pretty.
This will be a very short posting – for one, there’s not much to write about as the last 5 days have been filled with riding along flat, featureless, uninhabited countryside, and secondly, I left my camera at the campsite so can’t post any photos. Truth be told, I don’t think I took any photos along the way as it was primarily heads-down riding, just pounding out the kilometers.
It’s been unseasonably wet – very wet – as we chewed up the distance between Botswana and Namibia. I’ve managed to dodge the worst of the downpours by staying at small hotels/lodges when available.
Of note was that 3 days ago I covered the single longest day’s riding I’ve ever done – 207km! I managed it OK and felt strong at the end although a little sore. I should not let it go to my head as Bill Nelems also finished the day’s ride – a gift to himself on his 71st birthday!. Wow – my hat’s off to you Bill!
As soon as we got into camp yesterday I changed from my slicks to my knobblies as tomorrow we head back to dirt roads. I’m looking forward to getting back to dirt as it will be a welcome change from the endless straight road with virtually no distraction from the yellow line and the wheel in front of you. Also, the scenery is reputed to be stunning as we head southwest from Windhoek and into the Namibian desert.
David Saevitzon lives in Toronto where he is a Management Consultant with T4G Limited. He will be participating in the 2010 Tour D'Afrique cycling from Cairo to Cape Town from January to May 2010. The ride will raise funds for Nelson Mandela Children's Fund (Canada) via T4G's Future Focus Foundation.
David is married and has 2 university-age kids.
April 29, 2010 at 3:09 pm
207kms nice work. but alas, no photos?
April 29, 2010 at 10:42 pm
Congrats on that amazing 207Km day! Sensational. Almost from London to Toronto in a day. Phew! Now you and Randi can get on your bikes and visit us
I hope you have your camera and catch some of the beautiful scenery you should see, magestic Flamingos…beautiful sunrises and sun sets, huge sand dunes etc….
My compulsory army training took me to Walvis Bay for 6 months, and I saw other areas of Namibia, Swakopmund and Windhoek for awhile.
Take care!
Rael
April 30, 2010 at 12:45 am
David,
Way to go! You’re in the home stretch now. Keep it up.
We’ve really enjoyed following your trip, virtually, and look forward to the next post.
Anne & Sonjoy
April 30, 2010 at 2:45 pm
David,
You’re getting so close! Amazing job with the journey and this blog. I look for to reading whenever you post.
You probably already know this, but there is an article about the Tour D’Afrique in today’s Globe & Mail:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/travel/across-africa-by-bike/article1552488/
Take care and good luck the rest of the way.
Mike
April 30, 2010 at 7:11 pm
very well done, and I thoughtr my 120km in 6 hours was good for me. enjo the last bit and as you say straight and just up and down. See you and Randi in Cape Town
April 30, 2010 at 7:12 pm
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very well done, and I thoughtr my 120km in 6 hours was good for me. enjo the last bit and as you say straight and just up and down. See you and Randi in Cape Town
May 3, 2010 at 10:19 am
Keep up the great work, David!
Us Canadians had the opportunity to read about your group’s adventures in Saturday’s Globe:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/travel/across-africa-by-bike/article1552488/
Hope to see you soon…
May 3, 2010 at 11:22 am
David
You’re nearing the end. Can you believe it? I’m going to miss your weekly update and photos. Perhaps it is time to start training and do the Tour myself.
Cheers!
Richard
May 9, 2010 at 2:28 am
Richard, thanks for all your support. Yes – you SHOULD do the tour!
May 9, 2010 at 2:29 am
Thanks for the link – I met Leah in Tanzania when she was on the tour with us. Her quote about recomending the tour to your best friend and worst enemy she got from me … actualy, I got it from Paul Barter!
May 9, 2010 at 2:31 am
Lean – look forward to seeing you in Cape Town in a week!!!!!!!
May 9, 2010 at 2:32 am
Thanks Mike – look forward to seeing you soon.
May 9, 2010 at 2:32 am
Thanks Anne – looking forward to reconnecting when I get home.
May 9, 2010 at 4:43 pm
hi david
finaly made it to the old country it was great following your trip
all the best regards to all the family