Karoo/Namibia Ride 2017 ... well, almost...

[Ian in Great Brak River]

Here a new road starts for me, in 2015 we went straight on to Koes but this time I head West outa town on the D210 to the D208 & D213.







Lunch stop with 210k's to go.





At Felix Unite I set up in the usual spot, Carlos asks: "where is the short fat one and the ugly youngster" ... I have no idea what he is on about ...??













Mooi Man, Mooi!



Day 3 video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XwlEXnOdYYM

 

[XRRX]

Great pics!!
Some pics look
like a scene from an old western cowboy film ...  :sip:

 

[landieman]

dankie,ek ry lekker saam :ricky:

 

[JJ259]

Ai man dit lyk lekker  :ricky: Thanks for sharing.

 

[Snafu]

Sien uit na die res!!

As ek oor die grens gaan, is dit soos saligheid/rustigheid wat op my neerdaal. Net jammer dit is nie dieselfde met die terugkom slag nie!

 

[Chrisl]

The word "ous" have not appeared once in this RR. >

Wonder why? eepwall: > :lol8:

 

[Ian in Great Brak River]

The word "ous" have not appeared once in this RR. >

Wonder why? eepwall: > :lol8:

Dis Uncle Allen taal daai ... but we are lekker old dinosaur ous wragtag.

 

[eberhard]

:thumleft:

 

[ALLEN I]

The word "ous" have not appeared once in this RR. >

Wonder why? eepwall: > :lol8:

Hey "Ous" Nooit man this is like not right. As you "Ous" no that me and old "Uncle Ian" like always cruieses together, but "Ja" this year i could not make it., So "Ja" like you "Ous" out there "leesing" this RR we that's you "Ous" and me will have to sit on the side line with a few cold ones and enjoy the ride. . so Chris L old chap here is a few "Ous" for you.  :biggrin: :biggrin: :ricky: :ricky:

 

[ALLEN I]

"lekker" Buddie. "Gooi" the RR for us "Ous" to "Lees" 

 

[Chrisl]

so Chris L old chap here is a few "Ous" for you.

:lol8: :lol8: :imaposer:

 

[Ian in Great Brak River]

It's the usual early morning start in Namibia, Felix Unite has quite a few SA tourists who are up bright and early. I have my coffee, snap my fingers and head out. 45km further, just before the Transfrontier Park gate I turn right onto the Gamkab D207 river bed twee spoor towards Ai Ais, my intended overnight for today.







It a great ride but just very short ... maybe 15k's..? - before I know it I am out the other side.





Here it joins the D316.





For the first time I think to myself that the roads are better than last year ...maybe the Roads Dept. has got some funds again ...?











We turned down here last year when we stayed at the Canyon Lodge ... I take a chance and stop at the Canyon Village ... they have a room this time. Nice place !















In the distance is where we stayed last year.

 

[Ian in Great Brak River]

The food is good, the chalet is nice and I buy the Elephant Whisperer paperback ... an amazing inspirational story that is.







The road up to the Village.





I make the best of this fine place.







Day 4 video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t_pnSxSMAOU&t=5s

 

[ALLEN I]

cool buddy really enjoying the  :ricky: keep it coming  :biggrin: :biggrin: :ricky: :ricky:
Dam getting more and more jealous.  :biggrin: :biggrin: :ricky: :ricky:

 

[Ian in Great Brak River]

cool buddy really enjoying the  :ricky: keep it coming  :biggrin: :biggrin: :ricky: :ricky:
Dam getting more and more jealous.  :biggrin: :biggrin: :ricky: :ricky:

Thanks Al, there is clearly an overload of good Nam reports so let me see if I can get this completed and move on.

 

[eberhard]

You are privileged.  I envy you.  :drif:

 

[Ian in Great Brak River]

Bethanie is a real quiet place so I am off early ... it must be early because the AT's temp gauge informs me it's 4 degrees.

On Tracks4Africa there is a dotted line that is a circle road (D437) that starts in town, on Google Maps it's not dotted at all but looks interesting. Turns out it's 115km in length.

My destination being 95km away in Helmering for the night I do lots of side roads today.



Last year on our way to the Fish River Canyon this railway line nearly caused big problems for me as I hit it far too fast, this time I stop and take a photo with a faded Coke can as height gauge.

 

[Ian in Great Brak River]

As it's my second solo Nam trip I take along something to read ... it's about a Submarine in the Pacific in 1944 ... but I find and read in two quick days Lawrence Anthony's Elephant Whisperer ... an amazingly inspirational story of Thula Thula Game Reserve in KZN.

The D437 is perfect for the first 80km, then 12 gates in 10k's then perfect again.

 

[Ian in Great Brak River]

So, so far I've done 120km towards Helmeringhausen that was and still is 90 odd km's from Bethanie ... I soon turn right onto the D421 for some sight seeing.









Then left onto the D417.













The D417 brings you in to Helmering from the East through some nice koppies ...







Day 5 video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2bTHc7FQM_g

 

[Chrisl]

That D417 is really beautiful. Hope do it once in the rainy season or just after. :deal: :thumleft: