August 23, 2019 – Sesseriem to Swakopmund, Namibia

Morning Briefing, 7:22 a.m.

Location: Le Mirage, Sesseriem, Namibia

Weather: Clear Temp: 20C

Notes: Our morning briefing let us know there was more dirt roads to come. However, at the end of the day we would be on the coast again and it would probably be cold. I had wakened with a headache this morning so decided to join Jean and Deb in the truck for the morning. Besides it will give Bill some practise time on the bike in the dirt without having to worry about me on the back. He had had a really bad day yesterday and needs to regain his confidence.

Cost:
Yesterday’s Food & drink 209zar

Entry located at: https://www.google.com/maps/@-24.6831730,15.8155452,100m/data=!3m1!1e3

On the Road, 11:25 a.m.

Location: Gondwonda district, Namibia

Notes: We drove with the idea of stopping at a particular spot but when we got there it was too early. The decision was made to drive for another hour. We were now up in some jagged mountainous area with twisty dirt roads as we approached the Kuiseb pass.
As we started to decend, we came around a corner to see that Bill’s (not my Bill) bike was on it’s side n the inside of the corner. Bayne pulled over and jumped out to see how badly Bill was hurt. Of course his wife Deb got out too. I realized that I would have to give up my seat in the truck to Bill, but that was fine as my headache was gone and I was feeling much better.
Bill had landed on his right arm and shoulder and was in a lot of pain. We managed to get him into the front seat of the truck while Bayne picked up and started his bike. It ran fine so Bayne drove it to a safe spot off the road and left it there. It would have to be retrieved later when the truck was emptied of the two bikes it was already carrying.
My Bill and I continued on to the lunch spot that was about an hour away.

Segment 1 located at: https://www.google.com/maps/@-23.6837251,15.8700232,100m/data=!3m1!1e3

Eats – Lunch, 1:37 p.m.

Location: On the road

Weather: Clear Temp: 35C

Notes: There was one covered picnic table at a rest stop that we took over. Once the truck arrived a few minutes later, Bayne and Hugo had some tables set up for our picnic lunch of breads, meats, cheeses and condiments.Once we were done eating we headed back out onto the dusty, gravelly desert road. Bill’s riding style had indeed improved. He was feeling more confident and the washboard at the higher speed was way less bone-jarring. He had been feeling rather poorly from an intestinal problem but had not realized how much it affected his abilities. Today he felt much better. This road crossed the Tropic of Capricorn, so of course we had to stop for a picture.

As we approached the coast, the road turned from dusty gravel to a more solid, smooth surface. It didn’t take long for it to dawn on us that it had been sprayed with something like calcium chloride, which meant it was probably more slippery than snot. Sure enough, we crested a hill and saw Matt frantically motioning us to slow down and pull over. When we did he told us that Frank had gone down not too far ahead. Both Frank and Pat were more or less ok, but Frank had opened a big gash on his arm that was going to need stitches. Pat had been thrown from the bike and rolled away. She had bumps and bruises but was otherwise uninjured.

Journey’s end, 4:58 p.m.

Location: Swakopmund, Namibia

Weather: Clear Temp: 25C

Notes: We were booked into the Organic Guesthouse but when we got there we found out that the group would be split up among several different houses.

Our house is a 3 bedroom townhouse with two bedrooms downstairs and a full on kitchen, livingroom and master bedroom upstairs. Bayne and Hugo are in the downstairs rooms.

Bill (not my Bill) along with Deb, Frank and Pat went to the hospital to get checked out. Bill had fractured his wrist and was going to need surgery to have a plate put in to facilitate healing, Frank got his arm stiched and Deb was assured that her ankle was not broken, only sprained. Unfortunately this means the end of the ride for Bill.

Segment 3 located at: https://www.google.com/maps/@-22.6815011,14.5317321,100m/data=!3m1!1e3

Eats – Dinner, 7:58 p.m.

Location: Garnish Indian Food

Weather: Clear Temp: 25C

Notes: 6 of us went to an Indian restaurant that was a 10 minute walk away. (Guppie, Jeff, Jean, Ross and the 2 of us) We ordered a selection of dishes and shared them around. Very delicious.