TDA Last Stand

I'm in Noordoewer, Namibia, which is located right on the South
African-Namibian border, enjoying the last rest day of the Tour.
Yesterday we had one of the toughest days of the tour  -  180kms off
road with some good climbs and a really nasty headwind.  I had a real
sense of accomplishment finishing the day, a feeling that I have not
had in a while b/c we really have not had a truly tough day since
Tanzania, and even though we've been riding 100miles/day, yesterday
made it very clear that we are not in as good a shape as we were in
Ethiopia and Sudan.  The scenery was beautiful as we cycled along the
Fish River Canyon (which Europeans and Africans are quick to remind me
that the FRC is bigger than the Grand Canyon; it seems that Europeans
and Africans are always quick to put down anything from the
States—definitely won't miss that).


There only 6 days remaining, and only one day of offroad remaining.
This is the first rest day that I'm not doing laundry, partly because
it looks like it is going to rain, but mostly because I can't be
bothered to do so and have some spare gear to make through the next
six days.
Attached is group photo from our last desert camp.
Closer to done -- Goose

5-6-6!!!

That is the magic number of riding days until Capetown (Five riding days until, Windhoek Namibia, then six riding days 'til our next rest day, and then a final six riding days til Capetown. We still have over 1,500 miles to ride, but given what we've been through so far, this definitely feels like the beginning of the end.

I'm in Maun, Botswana which is the launching point for safari's in the Okavango Delta. I may take a small hour-long plane flight over the delta, but otherwise this will be a true rest day.

Past few days we have been riding very long distances (over 100miles/day) through a national park. We've seen antelope, giraffes and some elephants (see pics attached).

That's about it for now. Pics of restday (and my tent and my mess), elephants, and morning sunrise are attached.

-later Goose

Pictures Say it best

Greetings all.  I'm in an internet café in Livingston, Zambia, which
is located on the Zambian side of Victoria Falls.  We arrived here on
Saturday, and have had two rest days.  Sunday, I just sort of bummed
around town and bought some little souvenirs, and then went to the
Falls, which is amazing.  It is about twice the size of Niagara Falls,
and the amount water that flows through there is unbillilable.  The
fact that water is such a precious commodity during the trip, and
always having to conserve water, made the sight of the falls even more
magnificent.

Today I took a motorized handglider over the falls.  After the
handglider trip, the sequence of the next two events was not ideal:
1) First went to the Zambezi Sun (a posh hotel) for an all you can eat
breakfast, 2) then went to the bridge over the Zambezi River (which
divides Zambia and Zimbabwe) and bungee jumped off of the third
highest bungee jump in the world.  Pics attached.  BTW, if you are
wondering why I'm wearing my cycling helmet, it's 'cause I borrowed a
friend's helmet cam for the jump.  Footage is wild.

Pics attached—Enjoy!

Thanks again for all of your support and to everyone who has donated
to Charity Water.  If you have not yet donated please do so from
www.gogoswami.com.

Catch you in Botswana – Goose – over.

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Rain Rain Go Away

I'm writing from Lilongwe, Malawi, which is surprisingly modern, and much differenty that any other African city we have been through.. It sort of feels like small U.S. college town; even went to a nice Italian restaurant last night (mushroom and bacon pizza, incase you were wondering).

The weather here is gorgeous. Sunny and probably about 90. Today is the first day in the last 2.5 weeks without rain. I (and I think most other riders are) am constantly in fear of whether or not it is going to rain. I think that waiting for the rain is worse than the actual rain itself. The biggest problem of course is drying out b/c even when it is not raining the air is so moist the clothes never dry properly and are damp. The rain has also sparked up some hostilities amongst the riders, which are so petty they are not worth writing about.

We have 29 more riding days left. Seems very doable, but I am sort of burned out. Physically my body is holding up relatively well. I am actually one of the stronger riders now, due both to me getting much much better, and also b/c many riders' bodies are deteriorating. The majority of riders over 40 are having trouble maintaining body weight, and many are just a shadow of what they were during Jan. But mentally, I'm completely exhausted. I'm numb to the scenery, and the novelty of camping everyday has faded into a pain in the ass. I'm generally fine with riding my bike for about the first 60% of each day, but the final 40% really wears me down. I'm hoping that part of the mental fatigue is due to the rain. Some riders are worn down more than me, and have already begun counting the days. My official policy is to not begin any sort of countdown until we reach Victoria Falls, but it is difficult when there are riders who tell you each day exactly how many riding days and km remain. Victoria Falls is also knows as the Africa's Adrenaline Capital, so I'll keep you posted as to what sort of crazy activities we do on our day off.

With only a third of the trip remaining, I'm also hoping that donations to Charity:Water will start pouring in!! (insert smiley emoticon). Thanks again to all who have donated (just over $3,000 so far). If you have not yet donated please consider doing so (www.gogoswami.com). I'm told that the April 9^th American Idol will have a piece on Charity:Water. Keep your eyes peeled.

Attached is a pic of me, and two of my close friends: Max (French Canadian) and Alex (German), on our rest day today.

Thanks for all the support.

Goose

Rest Day, Sweet Rest Day!

First thing First: Thanks for all the posts on my guestbook (www.gogoswami.com). I love receiving them and look forward to checking the site. Also thanks to those who have donated to Charity:Water. There is a link from my website.

Happy Easter y'all! I'm in Iringa Tanzania. We rode seven straight days from Arusha. This is the longest we have gone w/o a day of rest, previous long was six days. The roads thus far in Tanzania have been dirt, and VERY rocky, with the occaisional sand or mud pit. To get an idea of how bad the roads are, riders have been going almost has fast as the support vehicles. Apprx 7 new riders joined us in Arusha. They have had a rough introduction to the TDA. Looking back at it, we had it relatively easy (except of the first day) in Egypt, where we had paved roads AND a tail wind. It rains every day here in Tanzania (i guess that what they meant by rainy season), but we have been relatively lucky as it has generally not rained while we are riding. Actually, rain is welcome as far as the temperature is concerned, but the dirt roads turn into mud pits. The temperature gets into about 110-118 range, but feels much worse than it did in Sudan (Sudan was a dry heat). Tomorrow we will hit paved roads and are told that the pavement will continue through Malawi. I can't wait!

Our experience with Tanzanians has been much more enjoyable than with Ethiopians. Most are generally friendly. Best of all the children here don't through rocks at us. Also, unlike Ethiopia, there is little theft. It also seemed like Ethiopians expected foreigners to give them money, almost like we owed it to them, and they would get upset when we did not give them anything. There does not seem to be this attitude in Tanzania.

The landscape in Tanzania is what I envisioned when I thought of riding across Africa; dirt roads flanked with lush jungle/vegetation on both sides along with the occaisional sighting of a baboon or giraffe.

Happy St. Paddy's

Happy St. Paddy's Day!

I returned yesterday from a safari in the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater. It was amazing (handful of pics attached; many more taken). Felt like I was in a real life version of the Lion King (movie, not the musical. I hate musicals). I don't think I understood how close together all of these animals live. We saw four of the Big Five (missed the leopard). After seeing them, really makes me want to start hunting!! (jk). I also had no idea how close you get to the animals (Pics were taken with a point&shoot cam).

The Tour d'Afrique resumes tomorrow. I'm not really looking forward to riding, and definitely not looking forward to riding in the rain. It's been raining here 2-3 times aday, each time for approximately 2hrs. Supposedly, after the next three weeks of rain, things will clear up. It is hard to believe but there is only 8wks left in the Tour (also difficult to believe that we've only been riding for 8wks, but somehow feels like we are more than halfway done. During the first 8wks i was sort of wondering if I could make it all the way. Now, while I still want to finish, I realize that I will be quite sad in 8 weeks when this is all over. OK. Enough of that. Must live in the now. Will try and find green food coloring to dye the water.

Erin go braugh

Spring Break, Arusha '08

Spring Break, Arusha '08

Friday was our last riding day prior to the 2-week layoff due to the fact that we will not be going through Kenya. Most riders (myself included) are looking forward to the layoff, which is a bit strange b/c when the layoff was announced about a month ago; most riders (myself included) were devastated. I think our 3 weeks in Ethiopia has worn everyone down. The mountainous terrain, the (lack of) roads, and the menacing children have left the group ragged. My ass and knees can't wait for time out of the saddle. There are also certain personality conflicts that are ripe for eruption, and w/o the layoff would produce some reality TV show style drama. I can't decide if it is a good or bad thing that some of these conflicts will never realize their full drama potential.

Two Dutchies left the tour today (Martin, already did the second-half in '06; Menno plans on doing the second half next year). Their departure made me realize what a strong bond the riders have formed. I was not particularly close with either Martin or Menno, but was still surprisingly sad to see them off. I can only imagine how difficult the farewells at Capetown will be. I know, I know, Capetown is still a ways away, but those of you who know me well know how challenging living in the moment is for me. Anyway, I'm trying to really take advantage of the opportunity so I will be spending my Spring Break in Arusha from where I plan to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro, and perhaps do a safari in the Serengeti.

Big ups to Sara & Dain and Katty. They are sending me a care package in Arusha with some much needed equipment, as well as some much desired Pop-Tarts. Thanks as well to Bonz who is updating my whereabouts when he is not fighting infectious disease.

Finally thanks to all that have donated to Charity:Water. If you have not yet donated, please do (www.gogoswami.com). I'll try to upload some pictures from Arusha after my attempt to summit Mt. Kilimanjaro.