5 February 2019, Boshof to Kimberley, 55,6km
Sun 1 Hotel R522

During the first 20km of today’s ride, I remembered why it is I love cycle touring. My body, except for my “cycle jaw”* was feeling considerably better. We began our ride in the cool of a blue-sky early morning. Our road was generally in good nick and for much of the morning we had it and the bushveld, all gold and green, entirely to ourselves. At one point, two parallel fences ran alongside the road to my right. Between the two galloped two young horses. They were racing three buck, dark brown and cream, who challenged them from the far side of the second fence. All five four-legged creatures intensely alert and alive.
Along the road were numerous game farms and one taxidermist, advertising itself as Africa’s Best Taxidermy. One game farm was named Tarantula Ridge - now that’s enticing… And some, instead of the more mundane “Beware of the Dog” sign at their gates, sported a “Beware of the Buffalo” sign.
As we crested a long incline beside a red and white cell phone tower, with still 30km to go to Kimberley, we could see the town on the horizon. Which promised, and delivered, a couple of long declines and some good, fast flat cycling. How divine is that!
The cheapest accommodation we could find in Kimberley was a Sun 1, a budget option offered by Tsogo Sun. A simple but functional room with a plastic pod shower/loo in one corner.
Wimpy for lunch at the walking-distance North Cape Mall, and avocado rolls for dinner. Tomorrow we make an early start to avoid the worst of the intense heat threatened by the weather service.

*Cycle jaw, like tennis elbow, is a “repetitive action injury”. My jaw and teeth are aching in response to a chafed and ridiculously painful butt during the first few days back on the bikes. I found myself thrusting my jaw forward in a permanent grimace, and now I can’t seem to remember where I usually keep it!

For today's route see below photos
For overview route, click on ROUTE tab above…