Cleaning out the locker.

The last 48 hours have probably been the most indescribable two days of my life. We have hit Cape Town at last! It doesnt seem real what we have just done, it is a bit of a dizzy feeling unpacking my locker, boxing up my bike and having to find my own food for a change. I can probably remember experiencing a lifetime of emotions in one day, it is pretty unreal. The last riding day started at 3 degrees, yes 3 degreess celsius. I could literally not feel my hands or feet for an hour until the sun rose, it couldnt have been a more contrasting picture to the previous 5 days and the proceeding few hours.
I cant describe to you how mind blowing the first view of table mountain was, i dont think I have ever wanted to cry upon seeing a mountain but yesterday was a big exception. The sky was beautifully blue, totally clear, namibian blue, we had been having rain all week and we were blessed with the most beautiful day. Everyone grouped up at lunch where we took photos and hugged and chatted with Cape Town in the back ground, it was all pretty surreal. I cant wait to show you the pictures, i am usless at describing how beautiful a day it really was. Our convoy started at around 12 oclock and we pedalled in unison along the bay in a semi circle into the city. Table Mountain kept getting bigger and bigger and the convoy faster and faster. Its amazing to think about what we have done, especially the full tour riders, the EFIers, everyone. Each day is so individual that it is easy to forget the distance we have covered until you look at a map. I can recall the feelings and emotions from each riding day, i can remember specific climbs, long roads, dirt tracks. I can still feel it in my legs, in my hands and arms. Africa has pretty much changed my body and i am going to miss being on my bike every single day.

I would like to finish by saying thank you to everyone who supported me and sponsored me. I didnt believe in myself at the start, if i could even ride a whole day, each day gave me more confidence and I feel stronger on each riding day. Thank you to mum and dad for the amazing bike which has been the best riding of my life, and for the flights to get me here. Thank you to megan and kate for all the love support and messages on the trip and thank you very much to rosie for being there for me and listening to me when i was planning the trip and worrying about everything and trying to train, and also to the Lomas family for the amazing Lumix camera which i have taken thousands of photos on!

I wish i could put it into words, into pictures, into videos but i cant...When i get back make sure i tell you some stories because i sure as hell cant describe it on here. Basically it feels like i can do anything, like i can get on my bike and keep going. I will definately be coming back after uni to do Cairo to Nairobi! Lastly I would like to thank everybody on tour (hopefully some will read this) Everyone made me feel so welcome and looked after me and made every single day an amzing experience.

Anyway, i need to find a hostel now!

See you sooon

Jacob

We ride for Cape Town...

Aloha from the sunny shores of the Orange River from which we can gaze upon the final country of our mammoth bike expedition. Our campsite is situated right alongside the river and South Africa is barely 50 meters away, but we will have to wait until tommorow to make the crossing into our final country. I almost wish we could sty in Namibia for another 2 weeks, it is indescribably beautiful here, each day just gets better and better. We have had 8 days of 'off-road' since Windohoek and it has been a dream, mostly hard packed but with some corrugation and sand to make it challenging. Days have been long but with scenery like this, i was not complaining. Anyway, i wish i could show you some photos but this computer won't read my memory card for some mind boggling reason, maybe i will try again later.

Without a doubt Namibia has been a highlight, 5 days ago we had a rest day in Sesrien and got a drive out to Soussuvlei in the Namib desert at 4 in the morning, scramled up a sand dune and sat there to watch the sun rise, pretty amazing!. We have meandered through mountain ranges, dunes, national parks and a canyon. The road has been bone breaking at times and my wrists, feet and knees are all aching but the scenery has more than made up for it. Also - big news, I didnt get a singl;e flat! In comparison with Tanzania i find this a pretty extraordinary fact as i had around 20 flats in my first week!

People are starting to talk about Cape Town and what we will do when we get there etc. However i just want to savour the last few days of the tour. Botswana was tough mentally because it was long, hard and boring and everyone was wet and just wanted to go home, but Namibia seemed to reawaken our spirits. It feels like i could keep riding when we get to cape town, i seem to have reached some sort of cycling zenith which i cant really explain. I will miss the people, the routine, the adventure but i am ready to lay down and sleep for a month after doing this and looking forward to seeing everyone at home.

So far my plans for Cape Town are: getting a shave (big shaving party at the finish line), climb or cable car table mountain, go to robben island, maybe do a winelands tour and do some souvenir shopping.

I have to say the last 8 days have been a real highlight of the our and i am very sad to be leaving Namibia but i am sure South Africa will be equally amazing. I will try some photos again shortly but if not then its not long until i am home and can show you some more!

Missing everyone back home..

Jacob

Also, i am stil EFI from nairobi!!!