So it started as it always does. A long shower. Most of these places have gas geysers so the water keeps coming. It is spectacular. This particular place had very clean, very very nice ablutions. I was happy it was recommended to me. I had slept soundly and was now gearing up for the day. 🚿✅ 🚾✅ ready to get this beast going. I stopped in quickly at the head haunchers place to thank them and then, like lightning ⚡I was gone. Well more like a fat 🦛 but anyway.
I sort of knew the way to go. It was my first time 😉 on this particular one but we both know how it would end. Me sweating like a mad man but completely satisfied.
So, down the drag. No queens in sight luckily. About a couple of clicks until I was back on the tar. It was reasonably good going. Speed was being consumed consistently and the conditions were sound. It was great. Then like water off a 🦆's back it was there. ⚡ in a 🍳. You could now see the heat rising from the dirt. That wavy look you see rising off of the ground. I had creamed myself earlier so this should be no bother. It was the H2️⃣⭕ 🚰 situation that was on my mind. What to do. Get going Rodney!
Up until now the ⛵ had been pretty sweet. But then it arrived. Something that has been looking for me for the past few days 🌬🌬 the headwind. Not overly aggressive but enough to cut my speed in half. I was not amused. In order to cheer myself up I decided to finish what was left of my coke. It certainly gave me a buzz. From here on I only had 2 liters of water. I needed to start the rationing. 🚱. As far as I was led to believe there were no shops until Montagu roughly 100kms away. The dirt was slow and demanding. I guess I now know what it feels like to have children! I kept wishing the 🌬 away but to no avail. It was there to teach me that patience is a virtue. A virtue that sucks by the way.
A few farms are passed. Looking surprisingly good by the way. I was pleased for them. I couldn't see a drop of 💧 anywhere. I keep going. The temperature 🌡 is now pushing mid 30's. It was warm. Then over the horizon I see some movement. What was it? A 🐆❓ A 🦏❓ A 🦁❓ No it was a small group of 🦌. Well not reindeer. I think they were blesbok. Not sure. Biggish buck. The white stripe on the face. Grey beautiful fur. Stunning animals. They ran next to me for a bit before deciding to go into the bush. It was lekka. I get on with the job at hand. While I no longer use my bike computer for information I do now and again see what altitude it is. I had started at around 200 meters. Currently at about 700. This with all the ups and downs in between. I was doing what I could to keep moving. There were no information signs on this road so I did not know my progress.
It keeps going. Then I sort of see what looks like the top of the world. It must be. It can only be. There is a 🚪 I am not sure what is going on. I knock. I knock again...knock, knock, knocking, then suddenly it hits me. It's a bad song that has been stuck in my head for the last couple of hours. There is no door. I shake my head. Keep going boy. I push on. Out of 💧. Out of bad jokes 😏. It really is the top this time. The descent is fantabulous. Long. Fast in places. ⛑ but most importantly it leads me to the spar (good for you) in Montagu. Water is consumed by the dam load. A few essentials are purchased and I am on my way to my campsite.
Little did I know this is the spot the freedom challenge riders have to check in at. I was hoping to get a sighting of a few over the next 16 or so hours. Unfortunately none showed up. The winner to be of the race had already blown by. He was on a serious mission to divide and conquer. He did just such thing.
Today was an easy day. Pack. Shower. Pack again! Say my goodbyes. Leave. Ride back through town. 7kms up then hey presto. Voila. You can catch me at the guano Caves for tonight. Well you better hurry as I leave quite early tomorrow. It's a pretty cool spot. Cheap. So I like it. Budget still good for the week boss jimmy.
A lesson I learnt yesterday. Carry more water. Take a 🐫🐪 with. Carry more water than you think you need. Lipice does not take away a dry mouth. It only makes you more thirsty. I have the 🍉 flavored one. And lastly carry more 💧. Make space for it.
I enjoyed yesterday. It was a good ride. The 💧 was an issue but the rest of it was top notch.
Anyway peoples. I got to go now. Well I don't got to but I am. A hot 🚿🧼 is in order.
I hope you are all well. On second thoughts I hope you are all fantastic. Keeping healthy and happy. Until we meet again.
Peace and love
G
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