Its been a hectic few weeks leading up to our first team ride (social ride) and after the ride, so besides doing my normal rounds on WD, this is the first time sitting down properly and putting pen to paper or finger to keyboard ...hehe
Anycase, leading up to the long weekend i decided that with the limited info i got from JP Boer who is orginizing the trip and expecting a seriously technical route, packing became an issue which was uncalled for.
Not wanting to take too much stuff with but at the same time taking what you need became a balancing act.
I did a quick solo trip, packing what i thought i needed and sleeping over at Oasis, doing a round trip to Uitspankraal and back home on the sunday. Video will follow soon.
I realised that my packing setup was not working.
What to do.
What was the problems?
Well, my backpack that i normally use did not fit comfortably over my chest protector, was pressing into my collarbones, so for the Sunday i placed that on the back. This was more comfortable but i did not Hydrate nearly as much as i should have and so de-hydrated and felt K@K for the rest of the week, recovering from de-hydration.
I changed my setup and decided to take my soft pannier with, and the night before i left, I changed my mind again. Praat van lekker deur die kak.........
Anycase got that sorted and set the Wednesday off for Oranjerus between Keimoes and Upington. I took a knobbly with to change in Upington but stpped at Fit-it in Keimoes and it was schorching hot. Floor manager(also the owners son) came up to me and the first thing he asked was, Wil jy n glas coke he?
Obviously i said yes., Tyre changed, got some meat and of to Oranjerus camping site.
First set back for the weekend, i lost my short rallye screen. Looked for it, but it was gone.
JP and Morne arrived the next morning and we were off. No idea what JP had planned for us.
I will add the video that i made for anyone interested to watch it.
We had some tyre issues and at Vanzylsrus we decided to repair a cut to JP's rear tyre. This is where my second very big set back happened. Lost my toolback..... well i left it by mistake and it was gone when i went looking for it. My hardware for my BMW diagnostics were in there and all my tools. Damn, it is what it is.....
We got ot play a bit on Hakskeen pan, diceded we wanted to sleep on the pan, but thunder storms were rolling in and we decided it would be a safe bet to pack up and roll out at 19:00 in the evening. We headed straight for Oranjerus.. We had some serious weather. dust storms, thunder and lightning the whole way and showers.
When we arrived into Upington, some of the roads were flooded and we knew we dodged a bullet by leaving early from Hakskeen pan.
Please check out the video.
Botswana in the background
Would like to take this opportunity to than our supporters for making this possible.