It’s true that I was uncomfortable in this area. The bikes were straining like mad and consequently using a lot of fuel. We went to this area because it said on the map something along the lines of: “Very high dunes, impossible to pass”. The route on the way in was over high yet passable dunes. The planned way out was a loop further West. Bruce went that way and scooted up a high dune at speed. That is, until about half way up. At that point even the lighter 500 could go no further. Down he comes and disappears around the mountain that’s only partly covered in sand. Two minutes later he is back as that too led to impassable dunes.
I was feeling very uncomfortable. I could see us finding a way over one or two dunes and then ending in a hole that would take us ages (and too much water and fuel) to get out of again. A breakdown at that point would be a bit more than a minor hassle. I told Bruce he can go that way if he wants to but I am taking the easiest way out again. I am not stopping anyone else’s fun but I know when I want to get out of somewhere. And today was not my day. As you will have read so far Bruce was determined that not a grain of Namibian sand would be missed. I was willing to leave a few for a future return trip. And I was tired, very tired. In my usual enthusiasm I had not allowed for rest days in the planning. When Bruce and Marc suggested a rest day at Epupa I was wondering what kind of wussies they were. I had not realized how much this ride was taking out of me and how smart they were to suggest a day for rest and maintenance.
To be honest, I was too bushed at that point to navigate and ride at the same time. And Bruce, who was initially saying we were riding to fast, seemed to have found his inner Toby Price. So he led us over a really cool route out of the dunes. And he did it super smart. He would blast ahead for a bit and then stop and wait. Just as I caught up, and was hoping for a break, he dashed of again into the distance. Today was clearly his day and not mine. Marc seemed to have no problem and he only slowed to make sure I didn’t take a wrong turn. And today was a day that showed (to me at least) the strength of riding in a good team. Fun after the rides, sharing the good sights during the day and helping each other push along when needed. It really turned out to be a good day.
Topic: Virgin Sand In Kaokoland (a post lockdown adventure) (Read 12275 times)
