I had a very emotional start to the morning having to say goodbye to my parents , It was very difficult and I left with a very heavy heart to what was going to be a very, very difficult day out .
All started superbly with a great road down to Aussenkehr. As I came over a rise, the tar fell away and was replaced by a extremely corrugated gravel road that made the scooter buck like a bronco. I had to slow down to around 5 km per hour to get through this section and then all seemed fine for a while. The gravel smoothed out and I was able to get the speed up to around 40 kmph , forever having to hunt for the best line to take.
Yes it does go on forever
Where no one can hear you scream
The road down to Ai Ais was slow and long. I came across a land cruiser on the side of the road with a lacerated tyre and the husband hard at work trying to change it. I think that this might have been the first time in history that a Vespa offered to help out a cruiser in the Namib. The road got worse by the kilometre and by the time I got to my first fuel stop at Ai Ais I thought there is no way I will get to my destination without been thrown from the scooter. The powder and ruts just kept coming and I was really having to concentrate and fight the different surfaces , but as they say in the classics all bad roads come to an end , just not yet.
At one point I was sure I heard Victoria scream out, ” I am no Lancet bike I don’t deserve this “. By the way the bike was handling , I know that when Malossi designed my shocks they only had tar in mind and definitely not so much weight. Around Hobas and down to the Fish river canyon the road improved dramatically and fun was had by all whizzing down to the canyon.
Go pro selfie
The canyon is breathtaking . Ones eyes can’t take it all in. What a worthwhile ride to get here.
The fish river canyon , vast and ancient.
From here it was off to the roadhouse about 25 km away for my nights’ stop. What a treat after so many hours trying to stay on the scooter!
Great accommodation , great food and wine , terrible internet.
I organised a tent , washed the days woes off with a piping hot shower, sorted my stuff out and met Ashley from Melbourne who is also solo on a KLR. We had a great catch up. He has been on the road for 7 weeks already, so it was great to exchange notes.
Inside the roadhouse
I had to promise Victoria that I would never allow this to happen to her.
Enjoyed a great meal, had a deep sleep surrounded by stars, space and more stars and space. Let’s see what tomorrow brings.
