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Namibia

Bikes and Boobs in Namibia

michnus

2nd December 2010

This guy is a true adventure rider, and I am super impress with him and his exuberance. He is a native Nataler, and only got his learners licence a few months ago and the previous owner had to show him how to ride a bike, he even asked if the bike got a reverse gear! He kitted his bike with empty 2L Coke bottles and set off to Springbok, he phoned ahead to make arrangements for his bike license and still had to stay a week longer in Springbok to get the booking and pass his license before going into Namibia.

In Solitaire I gave him a crash course in dirt road riding, the poor guy was taking strain on these roads. It’s humbling and makes one think about our perceptions of what we need in life. This guy does the same as us with a hellova lot less and still enjoys it. This is a HUGE big up yours to the entire nose in the air poser D/S riders.

This picture is dedicated to Nardus, he could not get a Heineken can so a Cream Soda had to do.

 

At Sesriem there’s only one place to stay and it’s the Oasis camp site. It’s cheaper and miles better than the Park campsite. Each campsite has its own private facilities. The park wanted R380 plus R20 for the two bikes entry to the campsite. But the best is NO bikes allowed into the park! You pay the entry but you cannot enter!

 

Now if only these bliksems would make it known in all their marketing material. We asked why and got the ‘I only work here’ comment. Is it not because of groups of bikes hauling ass in the place with a backup vehicle carrying the luggage? Or smaller bikes making a moerse noise? Very disappointing … I stated it stronger, but Elsebie reprimanded me on my language 😉

 

It’s also at this stage where we loaded the additional petrol to get us to Swakopmund. I crank up the preload a half turn and the next moment I hear this hissing sound and there’s oil leaking onto the ground. My 3500km old Martin P revamped and improved shock have just broken the preload adjuster.

I had a noise from the start of the trip on the suspension and this must have been the cause or part of it. We decided to head for Swakopmund and get hold of Martin to assess the damage and decide on a possible solution. Martin’s advice to me is to ride the bike as is, because the preload adjuster is only to adjust the spring it does not affect the shock itself and since we have the higher rated springs fitted we actually don’t need to have it adjusted. Luckily we travel relatively light at about 30kg luggage each.

Not nice having to start a trip with part of a shock failing. Luckily we have a time on our side should we need to get a shock somewhere later. All four bikes now have MP revamp shocks in them and one has already shows failure. I hope this is just a once off and not a one of more that will break go wrong on the shocks.

Since we were not able to destroy the Sossusvlei dunes with our gas guzzling echo destroying bikes, we tried to conquer Dune 7 with the bikes but that plan did not worked out to well.

 

The wonderful free feeling, meeting up with new people, experiencing new things, that’s all part of travel is addictive and I suspect it is going to get worse not better in the future, for us in any case. Not that I want a cure for this, I love this, and truly wish every person that has a love for travel and especially this kind of minimalist travel can have a change in their lives to experience it, even  if it’s only once.

Pages: 1 2

michnus

Michnus, GenX’er born and bred South African product. Known on ADVrider for his epic ride report Michnus & Elsebie Piki-Piki Around the World. Not known to follow or believe his own advice however he loves to share stories and inspiration with others. Michnus and his better half left South Africa 10 years ago on an initial 6 month planned trip up to Europe through Africa. Sold the family pets and mom, hit the road motorcycling on a semi-permanent basis to this day.

20 Comments

  1. nicki
    2nd December 2010 @ 1:51 pm

    Namibie is op my to-do lys, daai lang oop vlaktes roep my.

    Sterkte, hoop die shock hou!

  2. Ossie
    2nd December 2010 @ 2:29 pm

    Soos Nicki sê, ek hoop daai shock hou, maar aan die einde van die dag is dit deel van die avontuur, solank dit net nie die trip kniehalter nie.

    Ry veilig julle, en &*^(^&_(* geniet dit!!

  3. Blazes
    2nd December 2010 @ 3:26 pm

    Awesome all — we are with you all in mind and GREEN with Envy—-

  4. Herman
    2nd December 2010 @ 3:27 pm

    Michnus, thanks! Jy verstaan waaroor dit gaan. Minimalistiese toer, dit is die kuns van die lewe. Ek geniet die so baie! ek gaan een van die da nam toe, tot bo by epupa en terug oor vansyls pass.

  5. Carmen
    2nd December 2010 @ 4:41 pm

    Hi both,

    Achim today sent the link to me. He shouldn’t do because now I’m sooooooo jealous! 🙂
    Enjoy the sun and take your time in Africa. In Germany the winter shows his anti-biking-face with snow and temperatures between -10 and -20°C.
    We are looking forward to meet you here next year when the sun is shining again.

    keep on posting to make me even more jealous! *thumbsup*

    see you!

  6. zonkelnut
    2nd December 2010 @ 5:17 pm

    Well done so far. Keep it up. The photos I mean.

    Ride save!

  7. funacide
    2nd December 2010 @ 10:22 pm

    Damn, so kewl. You guys are living a dream. I hope that you enjoy every minute of it. (Actually I know you will cause you are Mr Hungus sp?)

    Loving this, be safe and enojoy…

  8. Nardus
    3rd December 2010 @ 6:11 am

    Piele, my bru !!!!!!!!

  9. Nyala
    3rd December 2010 @ 8:25 am

    Your reports bring the whole trip alive for us desk jockeys. We are with you in spirit.

    Now that the bug has bitten, are 5 months going to be enough?

  10. Brakenjan
    3rd December 2010 @ 12:02 pm

    Great stuff julle twee!!!

    Thanks dat ons kan saam ry.

  11. charlw
    4th December 2010 @ 7:49 am

    Beaut trip so far. Enjoy and keep posting.

  12. Renedian
    4th December 2010 @ 4:57 pm

    nicely done you two. safe travels..

  13. Oetie
    5th December 2010 @ 9:22 am

    Lekker julle, ons reis saam met julle, kan nie wag vir die volgende update nie!!

    Namibia to do is getting stronger and stronger…..

  14. Tharina
    5th December 2010 @ 6:56 pm

    Ag julle, ons is soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo groen! My hart trek met ‘n punt.

    Ek weet jul geniet elke oomblik, so, gaan voort!

    Tharina

  15. Excalibur
    6th December 2010 @ 7:24 am

    Lekker julle outjies. Stunning fodies. Ry mooi en geniet!!!!!

  16. Leo
    6th December 2010 @ 11:04 am

    Hi Julle

    Great foto’s. Julle moet dit verskriklik geniet en hou die “rubber side down”.

    Ek is @#$%^&*&^ jaloers

    Groete

    Leon

  17. Achim
    7th December 2010 @ 8:01 pm

    …..since days, just the boobs. Where are you guys? Tanja and me would love to be with you.
    Enjoy the time and ride safe, that we get the four of you here in one piece.
    Hugs and Kisses, Tanja + Achim

  18. Tania
    8th December 2010 @ 9:48 am

    Dit klink great – Michnus jy skryf so lekker en met die foto’s voel dit amper asof mens self daar is!!!

  19. Shawn
    15th December 2010 @ 5:04 pm

    Hi Harry & Linny

    What an adventure, you are so right, the more you take on in life the smaller you feel, or we realize we actually are small!!!!

    I hope you have a great trip, stay safe & just dam f!@#$% well love every minute of it!!!!!

    Harry are you still enjoying the 2L crackling , I might just be convinced to taste a glass myself, I fear it may have damaged parts of your brain, definitely the the part related to” flee or fight “!!! Rather daring I might say old chap!!!

    Love it!!!
    Shawn Blignaut

  20. Throttle Jockey
    21st December 2010 @ 11:21 am

    Good on ya guy’s enjoy. Your trip is what dreams are made of.

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