It is amazing how the landscape changes from country to country. Botswana was very flat with some rolling hills. The landscape was scrub bushes and rough trees and somewhat arid. The beginning of Namibia was denser vegatation and much greener. The topography showed a dramatic increase in hills and even mountains. The riding in Botswana was boring at times because of how flat it was. You would be riding along and see the road continue as far as you could see. You would keep pedaling and the road still unfolded as far as you could see. It felt like you weren't making any progress. Another rider commented... now I know what a gerbil feels like. But Namibia's changes make the riding interesting again.
We are in for another rest day and then we head out of Windhoek. We will be riding through the Namib Dessert. It is supposed to be uniquely beautiful.
During the rest day we are to change our tires out for the widest, fattest tires our bikes will handle. That is because from here on to just before Capetown we are going to be off road. They say we will be riding through sand where at times there will appear to be no road. Can't wait! My favorite is off road!
I know sarcasm doesn't come through in a blog so let me point out the previous comments were highly sarcastic.... :(
Botswana topography, landscape....
What size wider tires are you using?
ReplyDeleteBob
The widest my bike fits are 40mm (actually 600X42).
ReplyDeleteThanks for the info, Mike. I started following your journal at Cairo. Just now decided to go back to the prep phaseand took a quick look to learn more about your bike. It was really interesting reading your thoughts anticipating the trip in the light of the present. You would have had to have some wild dreams back then to come close to the experience you're having! My 16 yr old granddaughter,Melanie, said she would only start at the beginning,and ,as I've said,she's really getting a kick out of your journal.
DeleteShifting gears.regarding the use of antibiotics, they can cause other problems in the GI tract because they kick out both the good and bad bacteria and then it's a race to see which ones get back first. So,I've been told that it is important to take pro biotics along with the antibiotics. Yogurt or "Align"(OTC) pills probably will do the job. I'll bet Ray knows more about dealing with bugs then I do.
"Enjoy" the off-road adventure.
Bob
Hope you enjoy the sand! Still loving your blog. I just shared it with a bunch of my colleagues at work and they all agree - they are glad it's you and not them. They did say something to the effect of 'Well he puts our little camping trips to shame, doesn't he?" Hope you are feeling better. Pam North
ReplyDeleteThe sand would do me in. That recumbent probably would not do well in sand.
ReplyDeleteI like Pam have shared your blog, but I shared it on face book. I have ridden two coast to coast rides and several of the riders from both trips are friends on Facebook. One of them was the rest day when you jumped of the bridge and it really got some comments.
Watch out for the sand and keep the rubber side down.
Ray