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Boroto Game Post to Soccer Field (113km)

Day 66 - March 19 - Stage 45

Ingenious home made bicycle we saw today
Sunday: It was classified as an easy day today, but to put it into perspective, we did another Argus, and we did it on a dirt road!  Things have just become so surreal!

Left Camp and continued on the dirt road, the instructions for today were relatively easy, turn right onto the dirt road, continue for 57km to Lunch Truck. Then continue to finish at the 113km mark. Camp at a Soccer Field on the right side of the road. You will go through numerous Villages where you will be able to find a coke stop. It doesn't get much easier than that.

To our credit, both Judith and I did the full distance, and managed two coke stops for the day, one before lunch and one after lunch, and we arrived at our destination relatively early in the afternoon. Fortunately we encountered no rain, even though it was overcast for most of the day.

Approximately 200m from the finish, we were greeted by a group of riders, who had decided Mamma Christine's Bar was a designated Bar Stop, so we joined in the festivities. It was soon evident that some riders had been there much earlier than others, and a good time was had by all.

Once at Camp, we couldn't pitch our tent at the suggested spot (on the Soccer Field) because there was a soccer match scheduled to begin at 5pm. We pitched our tent out of the designated area and decided we were not going to move it.

Had the Briefing Session and enjoyed supper while the soccer match was in progress. The Home side were one goal down, with the score 1-2, when they scored an equaliser. The Referee incredibly then disallowed it (those riders who were watching all agreed it was a legitimate goal). This caused a riot, chaos ensured, causing the match to be abandoned! 

I managed to organise a bucket of fresh water from the locals (for 1 000 Shillings) did some laundry (my riding kit) and had a welcomed bucket wash. Then off to the tent for another early evening :)

Cheers,
Mike T




Old bicycles waiting for better days at Game Post 1.

These bikes surely have a story or two to tell?

Fortunately the road had dried out since the last rain

Phillip posing with the Proprietor at the mornings designated Coke Shop

The ladies always seem to be quite popular with the locals

Roadworks encountered on the morning's ride

Now and again its quite beneficial to take a rest

Local Rider carrying his own spare bike

Debating the merits of having a Coke Stop

Andje taking a "selfie" with the local kids

Local Villagers at the afternoon's Coke Stop who would later arrive at the Camp to play soccer against the home side


Close up of of the home made bike showing the crank system

Riders frequenting Madam Christine's Bar

Phillip enjoying a cold beer after a hard day in the saddle

Kim and Kyle having some quality time at the bar

Madam Christine supervising the Bar activities
This evening's tented camp

Soccer players from the Away Team arrive to play the Local Team

Briefing Board for tomorrow's ride to Biti Manayanga


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Singida to Boroto Game Post No. 1 (133 km)


Day 65 - March 18 - Stage 44


Saturday: We got back onto the dirt roads today, most of the riders changed from their slicks to their dirt tires yesterday.  We have been on our dirt tires for ages, so it didn't apply to us. Looking forward to some technical riding today.

Other than the dirt roads, there is also the added irritation of Tsetse Fly to look forward to as we make our way south through Tanzania. These little buggers can give you a mean bite, even biting straight through your cycle clothing !

Judith accompanied by a few of the other riders, rode the Lunch Truck in the morning from Camp to the  lunch position as they were keen to make the dirt which began after lunch. Being there so early, she helped Wynand make the day's salads, then her and Marie cycled the 53km from the lunch position to Camp.

Judith and Marie met up with a solo Chinese cyclist who was travelling from Kilimanjaro down to Cape Town.  He was travelling from hotel to hotel, and was quite interested to hear about their TDA experience.

I rode with Liz for most of the day, and we stopped before lunch for a coke stop, and decided to purchase some avocados. Coke and Avocado a la Natural make a great pairing! If nothing else, it does supply great spectator value when two Muzungus sit on the side of the road eating avo's.

We passed through a big honey producing area, the beehives are situated in hollowed out logs, which are suspended horizontally in the big trees (mostly Sausage Trees).

We didn't have much climbing today, which was greatly appreciated after the last two days of riding.

We rode to lunch on tar, then after lunch, the last 43km was back onto the dirt road, a good ride with no mud.  Rode with Liz, Gurpaul & Dr Helen who was the Sweep Rider. Of course we stopped at the scheduled coke stop.

Just before the finish, I stopped just 500m from the end of the day's ride, to have a cold beer at a very rural bar, then walked to the finish feeling a little better after a long day's riding (remember, no drinking and driving!)

Camp was at the Boroto Game Post No.1 Gate, where we were inundated by young children. Bridgette taught some of the kids how to throw a Frisbee, then donated it to them.

Briefing, supper, then early to bed. 



Cheers,
Mike T



Marie and Judith met up with a solo Chinese rider who was cycling from Kilimanjaro to Cape Town


Early morning coffee before breakfast
Organizing my days riding partners - With Liz and Kim

Racing Snake Rupert passes me at speed

Peter and Catherine from New Zealand  (Father and Daughter Team)
Main Truck passes Liz on its way to the next Camp

Tanzanian granite rock formations

Liz fixing her puncture

Liz hunting for some ripe avocados for us to eat at the Coke Stop

Horizontal bee hives in a large Sausage Tree

Local Honey Seller on the side of the road

A near deserted Lunch Truck

'Team Sweep' at the afternoons Coke Stop

Not a happy chameleon in the road

Rural Bar close to the finish

Having a well deserved beer at the end of the day's ride

Bridgette handing over the Frisbee to the kids.
Briefing board for tomorrow's ride

Riders at supper before an early nights sleep



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Babati to Singida (156km with 1 600m ascent)

Day 64 - March 17 - Stage 43


Friday: Babati to Singida (156km with 1 600m ascent)

It was not going to be an easy day after yesterday's 172km ride, and it started with a steep 11km uphill climb, which then gave way to an exhilarating fast downhill section, which made the tough climb definitely worth the effort.

Halfway up the climb we came upon a truck which had lost control on its steep descent, and had left the road and landed in a ravine. The onlookers told me that the driver had been very fortunate and had survived the crash without any major injuries, it was definately a miracle, as far as I was concerned!

The morning's ride was a very hilly ride, as we made our way towards and then around Mount Hantam (Tanzania's 4th highest mountain).

Judith struggled up the last hill before lunch, and we only got to lunch truck at the 80km distance after 6 hours, we decided to take the lunch truck to Camp, which turned out to be a good call, as it then poured with rain.


Back onto the dirt roads again tomorrow!

Cheers,
Mike T



Having breakfast at Babati Camp
Truck lost control on the downhill and ended up off the road
Watch out for Blind People and the Elderly!
Liz with Mount Hantam in the Background 

Fetching Judith's bike out of the rain at the Lunch Truck

Our ride Babati to Singida (1 630 m of climbing)






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Arusha to Babati (172km with 1 300m ascent)

Day 63 - March 16 - Stage 42


Thursday: The start of a straight seven-day riding section before our next rest day.

We cycled the longest distance of the tour today, 79km to lunch, then 93km after lunch, which was a personal best for Judith!  To put the icing on the cake, we passed the 5000 km mark as well!

We woke up early to pack our Permanent and Daily bags, which needed quite a bit of reorganizing, since we had been out of the saddle for four whole days.

Started cycling in the Arusha morning rush hour traffic, and we rode past the famous tower in the centre of town which is recognised by all the Overlander Companies as being the mid-point between Cairo and Cape Town.  We rode out of town on the same route we came into Arusha from our Safari Trip.

The route was relatively flat with some undulating until lunch. While having lunch, I found some small specimens of blue chalcedony and collected a few to take back home.

The second half ride after lunch was more hilly than the morning's ride, with an added head wind, with some young Massai kids who had started throwing stones at the riders -  what is it with the youth!?

We battled on at a slower pace, accompanied by Sweep Rider Brad and came in to finish at just over 10 hours, but at least we did the complete 172km distance, and arrived before Riders Meeting.  It was Judith's personal best, and a ride well done.

We pitched our tent with two others under a tin roof,  and fortunately Andje kindly offered us the use of a hot shower in her room.

A long but very rewarding day's riding, and taking all things into consideration a big moment in Judith's cycling career.

Cheers, 
Mike T



The Famous Overlander Clock Tower in Central Arusha
(Some say it's halfway between Cairo & Cape Town)

Lunch Truck (Picked up some Blue Chalcedony at this Site)

Judith cycling her way to her personal best on great Tanzanian roads

First Baobab Tree siting in Tanzania

Obligatory Coke Stop for 'Team Sweep' 

Judith in her usual role as the "Pied Piper" leading the running kids up the hill
Details of today's 172 km ride to Babati

Briefing Board detailing the next seven day section from Arusha to Mbeya




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