Rocky's Ride Detailed Travel Log
Day 16: 18/08/24
Barby Guest farm - Goias camp
45.95km
I had been receiving incredible support on social media, with Rocky's antics gaining popularity. Eelco Meyes, an experienced bikepacker, had become my unofficial social media champion and moral support friend. In 2017, at the age of 67, he embarked on an unsupported bike ride from Cape Town to Vic Falls, covering 3,680 km, which included crossing the stunning Namib Desert. He entered the desert at Aus in the far south and exited 700 km later in Walvis Bay in the north. Eelco truly went above and beyond to help me raise funds for my cause, offering valuable insights on navigating the Namib Desert whenever I needed them.
The positive feedback I received was a huge motivation boost. While I'm not one for public speaking or recording myself on camera, I’m always focused on self-improvement and learning new skills. During this trip, I made it a priority to practise my public speaking skills, even downloading a course on YouTube to watch in my tent at night. Rocky’s Ride provided a fantastic opportunity to work on these skills and overcome my stage fright. After a few days, I became more comfortable in front of the camera, and the encouraging responses on social media really helped me along the way.
This morning had a real frosty bite to the air. It was the first time I wore my winter gloves, beanie and buff around my neck. Possibly due to the higher altitude and a cold front that had come through. My gear was also starting to show some wear. Red Duct tape started covering some of my bike and gear. Battle wounds from taking on the Namib. My Garmin GPS which I had dropped, my trailer hitch locking pin and Rocky’s eye. And I had some saddle sore’s to boot. Luckily they were quite manageable.
Many years ago, my uncle, Bruce Davis, recommended that I travel with good old camphor cream. It's great for sunburn, shaving, and saddle sores, insect bites and dry skin However for some reason I always forget to put my sunblock on first before I decide to cover my back side in cream. Trust me, it's much better to do it in the reverse order!
The terrain started changing as well. It reminded me of more of the Karoo back in SA. The road had improved somewhat with less sand. I also had a 35 km gradual descent in Helmeringhausen
Helmeringhausen is a tiny village in southern Namibia, situated in the sparsely populated Karas Region. It was originally established as a farm by a German soldier of the Schutztruppe during Namibia’s colonial era. Today, it's a small agricultural hub surrounded by vast sheep farms and desert landscapes.
The village itself is quite simple, with just a few buildings, including the Helmeringhausen Hotel, which serves as a popular rest stop for travellers . Rocky got special permission to sit at the hotel restaurant as pets are not allowed. I was also greeted by a group of South African’s that I now from mountain bike events in SA.Small world! It was great to see familiar faces. They even treated me to some apple pie and coffee.
I lingered for a few hours, with only 10 km left to reach Goas Farm Campsite. I stocked up on supplies at the small supermarket before heading out. Jos and Carol, the hosts, are truly wonderful. The campsite is on their farm, and while the facilities are basic, the peaceful, secluded spots and their warm hospitality are outstanding. The faint smell of sheep and cattle drifted across the air, adding to the farm’s rustic charm. Jos, who lost his voice after COVID, spoke with a raspy tone but kindly brought me a bag of oranges he'd grown himself. They were absolutely delicious—I ate most of them right away and saved a few for breakfast. My camping spot was on a concrete slab beneath a camel thorn tree, surrounded by rocky terrain.