December 4, 2025
To Britstown
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I had hoped for a shorter day today by stopping in Strydenburg, but my plans failed as the two guest houses in this tiny village had both gone out of business in recent months. This meant another long day to Britstown instead. I had little choice but to put my mind into gear and get on with it. It was warmer today as well, at 34 degrees, so I wanted to avoid the worst of the afternoon heat if possible. It was 130km to Britstown on the N12, with a weak tail wind assist.
The Karoo changed character today. The trees and kopjes vanished, and were replaced with arid scrubland as fa's as the eye could see. It was not dissimilar to a dry desert ride all the way. After the petrol station in Strydenburg there was no opportunity to restock on water, so I bought 2 litres to carry as extra for the journey. I was beginning to realise that the Karoo wasn't dissimilar to any vast desert, and would have to be ridden as such. I must admit, I wasn't expecting the Karoo to be as sparse as it was, and I wasn't particularly excited about the prospect of a 600km desert ride, which is what I had infront of me. However, this is what long distance bike touring is about. One doesn't always get the scenery, terrain, weather or road surface that one wishes for. The only way to get through these challenges is to focus on controllables and get pedalling!
The highlight of today's ride was spotting an Ostrich running in the wild. I tried to get a photo of my feathered friend but he had got too far in the time I was camera ready. I recalled how Ostrich farming was a thing in the Southern parts of the Karoo, and I chucked to myself as I remembered how Anokhi and Jahnavi screamed as they rode on the backs of two Ostriches in a children's farm during our family holiday in South Aftica many years ago.
I stopped for a snack at a designated roadside picnic spot, and got chatting to a lorry driver who had also stopped because his lorry had broken down. I shared some oreo biscuits with him, and we talked about each others lives, which couldn't be more different. He was a lovely chap, and as on his way to Capetown with his heavy load.
I got into Britstown just at the temperature was reaching the day' maximum. I found a room at the appropriately named Transkaroo Guest House and settled in for an afternoon nap. There was a dinner buffet tonight which I treated myself to and thoroughly enjoyed. Tomorrow is going to be another warm day, promising more of the Karoo in all its glory.
Today's ride: 130 km (81 miles)
Total: 1,896 km (1,177 miles)
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