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