Day 65: Swakopmund – Windhoek

We’re heading to Sossusvlei, apparently there’s a really cool sand dune and a few other bits to see. We take the longer route via Dune 7. We’re not stopping, but riding by and taking some pics. It’s a perfect start to the day, the road is interesting, and it’s pretty cool. Unfortunately the tarmac runs out after about ten miles, and we’re on to corrugations.  Probably for the next six hours...

It’s a tough road to ride two up, the bike crashing over the corrugations and fish tailing through the soft sand. It’s 110% focus, and no fun for anyone. Natalie is getting scared every time the bike slews sideways on the sand, and it’s not much better up front either. You need speed to help the bike fly over the corrugations, and the momentum to carry you through the sand without falling. A catch 22, as we don’t really want to fall off at speed. I drop the front tyre pressure after about two hours, and this makes things a bit steadier, but I’ve had enough. We reach a junction, left for Windhoek, straight on for Sossusvlei. If we go straight, it’s another half day there, and then a full day to Windhoek. I’m not keen, and thankfully Natalie agrees, sweet. A little more pressure out the front tyre, so we’ve dropped about 25-30% of road pressure, and about 15% out the back. This should help.

We take the turn to Windhoek, and within minutes it feels like the sand is really bad. The handlebars turn about 15 degrees, but we’re still going straight. But then, instead of snapping straight, the bars start see sawing from side to side, we’ve got a puncture, big style. I’m shouting, “Woooah, wooooooaaaah”, this is going to be a struggle. Natalie thinks I’m being a dick (understandable) and is whispering to herself “Stop it, stoop it!”.

There’s not much I can do though, the inevitable happens. I dodged a bullet in Sudan saving a front puncture, but this one’s too much. Booosh, Kirsty hits the dirt, followed by my elbows, head and butt. Natalie is next to me, having a similar experience. Sliding on the gravel isn’t much fun, but we come to a stop. Nothing’s on top of me, the right hand pannier definitely keeping the bike off us. I’m not winded, and can see Natalie in front of me. She’s moving which is a good start, and we quickly get her helmet off. She’s shaking, but there’s no blood and there doesn’t seem to be anything broken. We’ve both done well, only the odd graze. Looking around though, things aren’t so brilliant. We’re in the middle of the Namibian desert, there’s zero shade and zero traffic. The odd vehicle we see isn’t taking the same turning we took, but heading straight to Sossusvlei. Hmm, maybe it’s time to press the ‘911’ button on the SPOT GPS device. Although I don’t know what will turn up. We don’t need an ambulance, we need a pickup...

Kirsty has fared the worst, she’s a tough cookie, with no damage other than to the front wheel rim and right pannier. Unfortunately, with the wheel rim damaged, we aren’t going anywhere on her today.

After about 25 minutes waiting, Natalie texts a friend in the UK for the KTM Windhoek dealership’s no. Just as I’m calling them, a 4x4 pickup rolls up, with our saviour driving and nothing in the back. Heading to Windhoek, Richard is more than happy to give us all a lift. So, Kirsty and I in the back, Natalie up front. It’s two and a half hours to the KTM dealer, and it goes smoothly. It’s actually quite nice being driven for once! And I’m secretly glad to not to have to ride these roads. They pour through a mountain range, but being loose gravel, corrugated and right up to the mountain’s edge, are riddled with danger...

Just before closing, we roll in to the KTM shop. Typically it’s a bank holiday weekend, but I’m not in a rush. Brilliantly, they have a wheel rim in stock, and will get it relaced on Tuesday. They’ll also fix a few other bits, Kirsty will be like new!

Natalie and I are in need of some care too though, we haven’t eaten or drank (beer) all day. Another biker has a car out front and kindly drops us off at a local lodge. Time for a shower and then to hit a bar!!