Virgin Sand In Kaokoland (a post lockdown adventure)

[BoskakBruce]

Marc and Jan Lucas bring out their chairs and we sit around chatting for a while as the sun sets.

We hear lions in the distance and hope that they don’t come over while we’re sleeping to check us out.

Dinner turns out well. Chakalaka spaghetti is a winner! 

With full tummies and no beer to drink, we’re all asleep by 8:30pm.

 

[BoskakBruce]

We wake up early and begin our usual ritual of coffee, breakfast and boskak.

There are not enough oats for everyone, so I volunteer to eat last night’s leftovers for breakfast which amuses the guys no end.

 

[BoskakBruce]

Then we pack up and hit the Huab riverbed. Within minutes, we spot a giraffe who is surprised to see us.

 

[BoskakBruce]

The day’s riding is tough. Rocky trails and sandy riverbeds were exciting during the first few days of the trip. Now they’re tiring us out.

 

[BoskakBruce]

It’s beautiful riding, but nowhere near as spectacular as the last few days. We’ve been spoiled and this ends up feeling sort of like a transport day.

I spot a few Welwitschia Mirabilia on the side of the trail.

 

[BoskakBruce]

By lunchtime, Jan Lucas is exhausted.

We can’t find a shady tree to stop under, so eventually we settle for a bush and Marc erects his tarp.

I offer Jan Lucas some almonds to help him replenish his energy.

But he’s tired. After a few minutes, he announces that he is done. His trip is over and he’s going to ride back to Windhoek tomorrow.

My heart sinks.

“What? We only have one more day of riding left. You can’t quit now! We’re at the finish line.” I think to myself.

Maybe he’ll change his mind by the time we get to Palmwag tonight. Maybe not.

I’m pretty sure that if Jan Lucas is heading to Windhoek tomorrow, then Marc will follow him and I’ll be riding back through Desolation Valley alone.

I try not to show it, but the thought of riding without the gang tomorrow puts a damper on the rest of my day.

 

[BoskakBruce]

We’ve bonded and become a team and riding without Marc and Jan Lucas just feels wrong.

I wrestle with mixed feelings for the rest of the day – trying to put myself in Jan Lucas’s shoes to see if I would make the same decision.

The other thing on my mind is that this is the most remote part of Namibia. I feel anxious about what would happen if I were to have an accident alone in the desert…

I’m just going to have to hope that he changes his mind tonight once we arrive in Palmwag.

He doesn’t.

After having his first beer at Palmwag Lodge, he’s clearly made up his mind.

Later that night, I overhear Marc saying to him, “Come on Jan. Let’s be men. We finish together. We can’t leave Bruce to ride alone…”

 

[BoskakBruce]

The next installment of this saga will follow in exactly 7 days when I return from riding the Namakwa 4x4 trail with my brother and some new friends.

If you'd like to be notified when I post the finale, just click "Notify" at the top of this page.

Don’t hate me for leaving you on a cliffhanger. See you in a week for the big finale!

 

[Ian in Great Brak River]

Namibia. Gods gift to Adventure Riders Inc. Period.

 

[BoskakBruce]

Namibia. Gods gift to Adventure Riders Inc. Period.

Ain't that the truth, Ian.

 

[OomD]

Wow, a ride report that even teaches you about kakking. This must be a first. A brilliant first :imaposer:

 

[BoskakBruce]

Wow, a ride report that even teaches you about kakking. This must be a first. A brilliant first :imaposer:

Lol. I almost didn't, but it made me laugh to write it, so I decided to keep it in!  :imaposer:

 

[Osadabwa]

Two things:

1) What is it with Namibian giraffes trying to take you fellas out? I remember riding around there and the damn ostriches seemed to be trying to do the same. Always running across the damn track! Maybe the desert addles their brains. Kenyan giraffe are well behaved... ostriches less so.
2) How on earth did you guys end up camping without whisky on that last night?!

Looks like a blast. The North Namibia rides are always fun to follow along.
:snorting:

 

[Bokveld]

Thanks OB. It brings back good memories.(though not on a bike)

 

[Noneking]

Excellent ride report!

 

[BoskakBruce]

Two things:

1) What is it with Namibian giraffes trying to take you fellas out? I remember riding around there and the damn ostriches seemed to be trying to do the same. Always running across the damn track! Maybe the desert addles their brains. Kenyan giraffe are well behaved... ostriches less so.
2) How on earth did you guys end up camping without whisky on that last night?!

Looks like a blast. The North Namibia rides are always fun to follow along.
:snorting:

These are important questions! We're more the beer kind of drinkers... but I do like me some whisky from time to time.

 

[stroke her]

Caracal 4x4 in December...been there done that...julle gaan lekker sweet :thumleft:

Enjoy and come back safely...if only to finish this lekka ride report :

 

[funacide]

Fantastic, looking forward to the finish in 7 days....

Even though I have ridden some parts of Kaokoland once there are some of the roads you have taken that are definitely on my bucket list...

Thanks :thumleft: :thumleft: :thumleft: :thumleft:

 

[Plaasseun]

Really enjoying this one thank you Bruce, worthy competitor for a place in the roll of honor reports me thinks.

 

[DaveT]

I wake up to the sound of birds chirping and replay yesterday’s incredible adventure in my mind while savoring my last moments in a comfy bed.

I make coffee while Marc prepares oats for us for breakfast.

Every morning, breakfast signals my bowels to empty themselves like clockwork.

Over the years, I’ve learned a thing or two about kakking… and if it’s OK with you, I’d like to share what I’ve learned about how to kak properly while on a bike tour.

A couple of years ago, I was Banting. Because Banting involves mostly eating fat, I started taking Psyllium Husk to supplement my fiber intake.

One of the may positive side effects of taking Psyllium Husk is that it makes your kak solid.

Why is this a good thing?

Boskakking!

There’s nothing worse than a boskak that doesn’t go well - especially in motorcycle gear. Psyllium Husk makes it a one-and-done deal. That also means that you pollute the bos less, because you use much less toilet paper.

I mix a teaspoon of Psyllium Husk with a teaspoon of dehydrated greens (a kind powdered salad that I always carry with me) in a shaker bottle each morning.

Try it! It will transform your boskaks. I digress…

This is a kak tip