Damaraland & Kaokoland – Finally!

[Hardy de Kock]

Rooies was a Quest semi-finalist who I knew from his previous unsuccessful efforts to do a Kaokoland tour.
I remember reading his Quest application where he scored himself very low on sand and technical riding and thinking - This must be a very honest guy with a death wish or a very competent rider who underplays his skill level.
Anyway we invited him to the Quest boot camp and found him to be the former.
Rooies did extremely well in all the tests and was well liked by all the semi finalists and crew but he had a big issue with sand riding. For some reason it remained his nemesis despite his and our best efforts.
We agreed that we would invite him back if he worked on that skill as we said goodbye after boot camp.
You will not find a more humble, soft spoken, friendly and well mannered person anywhere.

I am not sure what he did between Quest boot camp and the North West Namibia tour but Roux or @Rooies
all but killed his nemesis and I can honestly say that he butterflied through Kaokoland and Damaraland as if the place was tarred.
Chantal mentioned to me that Roux thanked her after every meal and always offered his help with any of the tasks.
Roux - I am grateful that you persevered in joining the tour despite what life threw your way.
You are exactly the type of client any tour operator wish for.

 

[LouisXander]

I agree Hardy, Roux is someone you want to chat with.

Highly intelligent and full of wit, outstanding chap to be around!!!

 

[Grunder]

I agree Hardy, Roux is someone you want to chat with.

Highly intelligent and full of wit, outstanding chap to be around!!!

Kom ons maak die pap nou nie te dik aan nie. Hy is nie te bad nie

@Rooies , bly die sandmonster is nou getem!

 

[Chantal Burger]

Dit was baie lekker om jou op die toer te hê (uiteindelik) nou weet jy ook hoekom ons so lief is vir die Noorde van Namibia.

Jou vrou het jou goeie maniere geleer Roux.

Mens kon duidelik sien dat jy elke dag ten volle geniet het, en jy het altyd ‘n smile op jou gesig gehad.

Ek praat nou namens die hele crew (is 99.9% seker hulle stem saam) maar dit was ‘n voorreg om jou deel te kon hê van die groep.

 

[hartebees]

I met Roux at Honda Quest Bootcamp last year. All I knew about him at the time was then when he couldn’t make Hardy’s tour last year, he graciously rented his bike to another (bikeless) guy that wanted to do the tour.

We didn’t talk a lot at the Bootcamp, but my takeaway thoughts were that Roux is a quiet, soft-spoken and very humble guy.

Being part of the crew on this Kaokoland trip was a great opportunity to get to know him better. If anything he is too well-mannered. When we stopped next to the Kunene river heading up to Epupa Falls I could see that he was concerned that he was perhaps delaying me somehow, even though I was grateful for being able to rest in the shade. Roux is a keen observer and is more concerned about the wellbeing of those around him than himself.

Another thing that stood out about him is his ability to remain calm and focused when the heat is on. Going down Van Zyls, when it was very hot and all were tired, I gave him some tips on a steep descent and he looked me straight in the eyes and clearly repeated my words back to me. He applied the tips and rode down flawlessly. This may not sound like much but most guys in that sort of scenario is unable to process instructions and tend to do the exact opposite of what you try to tell them.

Later in the trip when he had an injury he never complained once, even though I could see he had serious discomfort. He just quietly joined the guys doing the more challenging route and did his thing.

Roux, looking forward to ride with you again. It’s been a pleasure.

 

[hartebees]

Riding from Swartbooisdrift to Epupa.

 

[Rooies]

Thanks for the kind words, guys & girls. The biltong is in the post!

 

[Rooies]

The following morning we head off to Usakos, fully kitted, but shuttled. It makes perfect sense as that piece of well-tarred road is similar to Kroonstad to Bloemfontein – enjoy on a small bike if you can.

After a coffee-stop at Okahandja we arrive at Usakos where the journey starts. We immediately hit the dirt and off to Spitzkoppe we go. The road is a gravel highway and it hits – we are doing it!

Coffee stop at Okahandja.

Unloaded at Usakos, Hardy giving us our first pre-ride briefing.

I have been admiring photos of the beautiful Spitzkoppe for a long time. When you see it in the distance, you immediately know what you are looking at. It is so distinct, and is breath-taking to see with the naked eye. Like so many of these photos, my cell phone just does not do it justice. The vastness and greatness of the landscape leaves me speechless.

The bar at Spitzkoppe

The very efficient crew setting up.

This will be our first night of camping, and everyone is figuring out how the stretchers work, and nobody can figure out the camping chairs. This will be my room for the night, under the clear sky. The moon is moving into a full moon cycle, and it is so bright, its like someone left on a light. The stars are, as you would expect, amazing. A have a star gazing app on my phone and every night I would look at the stars, learn new things and just be awestruck.

Some exploring is at the order the day:

 

[Rooies]

Spitzkoppe showers

 

[Rooies]

@Parkinoff posted this song on our trip Whatsapp group. For me, this became the theme song for this tour and I would wake up to it playing in my head.



This morning we will be following the sun.

 

[Psycho Porra]

@Parkinoff

This morning we will be following the sun.

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Roux,

Ek is bly jy het nou al darem geleer hoe om ligter te pak. Dink net as jy die water buffel daar moes ry

 

[LouisXander]

Die res was in Hardy Se cruiser gewees

 

[Hardy de Kock]

Die res was in Hardy Se cruiser gewees

Daar is net plek vir spaar tubes, brandstof, ekstra water en KTM parte agter op daardie bakkie.
Roux ry rooi - hy het dus met min reggekom..

 

[Lars]

Daar is net plek vir spaar tubes, brandstof, ekstra water en KTM parte agter op daardie bakkie.
Roux ry rooi - hy het dus met min reggekom..

Rooi= GasGas?

 

[Hardy de Kock]

Rooi= GasGas?

Dakar taught us that if you paint a KTM red it will last longer

 

[LouisXander]

 

[Psycho Porra]

Daar is net plek vir spaar tubes, brandstof, ekstra water en KTM parte agter op daardie bakkie.
Roux ry rooi - hy het dus met min reggekom..

Hardy,
You should ask Roux to tell you about his 1st KZN bash on his water buffalo

 

[P.K.]

Nice report so far Roux.
Like all of us, I have been i a bit of a "post trip vacuum" since arriving home. Happens every time and a good ride report helps relive the experiences.
We were blessed with a nice bunch of riders, good weather and grass in abundance.....good memories.
Like me, I`m sure you will be back in Kaokoland before long...it has a habit of grabbing hold of one.

 

[Hardy de Kock]

Hardy,
You should ask Roux to tell you about his 1st KZN bash on his water buffalo

Planning on seeing Roux in the Richtersveld for a flower tour later this year - Will surely do

 

[user 27974]

Ja iets simpel soos dit….. die strooi wat mens sê as iemand ń kamera in jou gesig druk.

Like wanneer jy foreign praat