Sunday, 27 December 2015

Day 9: 110 Km: 17/18 December 2015: Aussenkehr to home (Avalanche Envi Tandem)

The final stretch to complete our route was most probably the toughest. From Aussenkehr to Noordoewer we were taking a headwind for 50km.  From Vioolsdrift uphill for 40 km was a mental stretch.




The road ahead

Captivating landscape

Endless waves of tar

Border post entering South Africa: Noordoewer

Midday strike in the shade

Needless to say: Tired very tired

Christmas spirit

Heat into the abyss

Quiver tree (Kokerboom)

First puncture repair

En route Steinkopf

Mica crystals on roadside en route to Steinkopf: Roadside hillside

Complete: Back Home

Day 6 &7: 40 km: 14/15 December 2015: Stay over: Norotshama River Resort, Aussenkehr


The trek to Aussenkehr we splitted into two.  We spend part of the morning enjoying the succulent cool  waters of the Orange River before pushing on early afternoon towards Aussenkehr. A welcoming sight was the green vineyards of Aussenkehr. We knew "grapes galore!" 
Norotshama River Resort was a welcoming sight.





Anina staring onto the Orange River just before Aussenkehr

16 000 laborers reside here to mainly serve the vineyards. 


At last the green pastures of Aussenkehr


Us


Sunset

Dominating landscape


Relaxed

Day 5: 60 km: 13 December 2015: En route Aussenkehr



Rise and shine the fifth day! Drinking in the desert landscape while preparing to head for Aussenkehr.





Butts up! we're heading out :-)))))

Is that a vanity case on the handle bar? Never mind! Of to Sendelingsdrift

Entering the Trans frontier park

I shouldn't have! mwah


Avelanche Envi leading the pack

What is the odds, bump into folk from hometown Potchefstroom. Prost to that!

Capturing moments

The landscape dominates!

Shelter in the desert

For a second time!..bumping into hometown folk from Potchefstroom

Sorting a mechanical from the trailer

The only farm on the road: Enjoying Orange river grapes: Smullekker!!

Yet another night under the stars!

Evening beauty - good night

Day 4 : 85 km : 12 December 2015: Through the Sperrgebiet: Southern Namibia

Deciding not to have an early start to face the notorious Namib Desert heat, we started our journey through the Sperrgebiet only at 16:00 the afternoon.  Only one challenge though, we need to cover 85 km before 22:00 not to be illegal in the Sperrgebiet.  The gates closes at 22:00 short from Rosh Pinah.



Spirits high






Sunset


Peek at the rations: nuts, biltong and chocolate

Into the night

Starring into darkness: We have a gate to catch!

OMW - just in time! 22:05

Rest finally after 6 hours through the desert

View of our desert suite

Avalanche Envi 29er Tandem : How did it behave?

In a nutshell - Very very well!

The front suspension handled the corrugated road just fine,  at higher speeds the stoker (my lovely partner Anina) however gets a bumpy ride - invest in a good chamois.

Steering handle width are comfortable and rider geometry should be set to a more comfortable rider position - less aggressive - to support a better posture and straight back .

The group-set behaved well, and the quality proved more than enough to pull a 75 kg trailer over a 10 degree hill - albeit slow :-)).  On downhill chases I had to curb my enthusiasm and was hard on the brakes. A tandem generates a rather adrenaline loaded speed with momentum - ad a tailor and your upper body strength are tested, then throw in a gravel road into the equation just for a forehead sweat buildup.

The dead standard seats are good for touring but if you are a novice opt for a more comfi seat with a wider "butt spread" - but remember it will change your geometry and energy transfer to the pedals.

The chain wear were minimal and a good dry lube was necessary to keep the wheels turning - especially sandy and dust conditions.

Overall impression is that the Envi Tandem is a value for money proposition that - depending on your skill level and the ability of the stoker to handle stress :-), you can put through its passes.



Friday, 25 December 2015

Day 3: 40km: 11 December 2015

 Of to Alexander Bay and Oranjemund
We stayed one night at Shepard's Lodge outside Oranjemund


Wakey Wakey
 
On the road taking a break

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Curbing the hunger at Shepard's Lodge


Local Oryx in the Orange River mouth

Das Spergebiet: Camera on the beach throwing a watchful eye on diamonds