Going solo

Christoff Els decided to start 2020 with an ambitious adventure: a six-day cycle tour from Beaufort West to Ceres. But was he may be too ambitious?

- Christoff Els

I’m standing in front of the Wimpy in Beaufort West with a heavy load: my Silverback Sola 1 mountain bike, three bulging bike bags and a backpack full of padkos. I’ve just spent 12 hours on a bus from Klerksdorp and I’m suddenly not sure whether I’m up for the challenge I set myself.

Three days ago, just after Christmas Day, I started making arrangements for a solo cycle tour from Beaufort West to Ceres. My girlfriend Mari van Dyk lives near Ceres and her birthday is on 3 January – not only would I start the new year with an adventure, but I’d also be able to celebrate with her afterwards. It sounded like a win-win to me!

My plan was to cycle about 500 km in six days. I booked accommodation along the route.

But now I’m here, ready for my adventure, and I’m feeling nervous. Will I make it?

DAY 1 Beaufort West to Merweville (126 km)

I decide then and there – at the filling station in Beaufort West – to give my bike a name. Henceforth, it will be “Die Draadkameel”. The name is apt: The two of us will explore the Karoo together, my bike carrying heavy bags and almost five litres of water on its back, just like a camel.

I swallow a delicious Wimpy breakfast and hit the road at 8 am. I follow the N1 west out of town for 15 km and then turn right, past the Karoo National Park, onto an unmarked dirt road to Fraserburg.

It’s midsummer but the breeze is cool. Like many other parts of South Africa, the Karoo is in the grips of a crippling drought and the trees and bushes next to the road are dry and dull. I pass a dead steenbok in the road – I hope I don’t end up the same way…