After another meager breakfast, containing this time chapati, pancake and fruits, we left about 8h30 direction Mpanda.

The first approx. 90km where road and then it turned into offroad, for probably about 160km.

It started really nice with smooth surface and trees / bush land around. I drove about max 60kmh if it was a good surface - playing it safe! So, of course, not long and no Damian seen 🙄 After a long while he waited at the side - finally I could for my pee 😅.

We carried on, well, each riding its pace. After some time you could see through the trees and bushes rocks (but no chance of taking a picture as trees still to dense). Also did it get some more curves, which was nice, but I took it easy as not knowing what is waiting ahead as this is a national road, occasionally Matatus or lorries passing by.

At some point I saw a lorry parked at a small uphill and coming closer I saw Damian in that uphill, coming even closer I saw why...sand as the lorries and other vehicles "damage" the track going up with finding their traction 🙄 The lorry driver and me helped him over the last stone buried in the sand. Then it was my turn to tackle it - you would think Damian gets off his bike to be ready to give a hand if needed - if so, keep on dreaming!!

However, I managed to get through it, with a bit of a helping hand of the lorry driver.

Then we carried on, each in its pace, now tackling some sandy stretches 😳🙄 and the the corregation started - really bumpy, but when you try to drive it fast, it felt like ice skating 😳 So at some point I wanted to stop at the side to catch my breath and 'sort myself out'. As the sides are very sandy and uneven, I dropped my bike 🙄. I tried to pick it up myself, but I would have to get the luggage off, to do it hopefully alone. Not long and a jeep came and he stopped - a Mzungu l8ke me, by the accent South African. He helped me and then his friends came - they were four jeeps. The driver himself is a biker too, so he said I have to stand up and drive 70, 80, 90kmh that surface! Sure, probably if you have a death wish or a very good rider, but not me in that speed!!

They made sure I was 'back on track' and then they passed, waving at them.

After approx 2km I passed them on an open stretch in the bush land as they stopped there at the side for a break. I tutted at them and waved at them when passing. Just 500m after that there was a bang and my bike felt something was loose wedged at the rear tyre. I stopped as fast as I could on that corrugated slippy surface. I thought my sub frame snapped in half or one of the side panniers slid out of the position as I wouldn't have been surprised!

Walking around the bike I suddenly realised steam coming of the engine 😳 as covered in fluid - something burst! I thought immediately of water or fuel pump! Both not good at all in the 'middle of nowhere' ... and no sign of Damian and no phone signal 🙄😳 I send him on Telegram and WhatsApp the information through and hopefully eventually one message gets through...

I walked then back to the group of South Africans to ask them for help. They were finished with their little break, so I hopped into ones car to get back to my deserted bike. There was already a jeep next to it, with a durch family wondering what had happened with the driver. They told me that Damian was about 5km further on and then they drove on.

The South Africans immediately sourced the problem: my rear shock has bursted! Oh noooo! Africa is known as a shock killer, that's why I changed to an aftermarket one!

However, they reassured me that I could carry on, but only very slow as it only relies now on the spring.

This all happened about halfway, so another 140km or so to do 👀😳

They gave me some more water and said, they will inform Damian when they pass him ... They actually were surprised that he hasn't turned up yet to see if I am still alive! That much of camaraderie!!

So I started to snail along, trying to pick the less bumpy line, not easy on that bad corrugation! After good 10km qas the Damian and I quickly explained and just started off as it will be for me now a long day snailing along! Damian carried on as now I couldn't ask him to snail along with me - a bit too much asked.

The kilometres passed on very slow...I was lucky when I could a few metres in 3rd gear!! On the last 20 or 30km were 3 bad downhills!! All very loose sand, rutted and spiced with stones - all created by vehicles getting their traction uphill!!

It would have been already difficult with a 'normal' bike as the luggage is pushing and the hidden stones are bouncing you off your line! Now I was on a bike with a broken rear shock, so I had to go superslow over the stones plus breaking and holding the line, holding the bike up!! Each time took me forever, standing/sitting in my own sweat! And remember, this is a national road! So at the 2nd descent, which was in 2 steps, came a big lorry from behind. We waved to him to slow down as both of us will not fit here! He didn't stop until he was at that step, so I carried on and this time he waited!

I was so glad each time I got down these hills, and luckily the uphills were pretty smooth 🙏

After 100km and 5 hrs later we finally reached the asphalt 🙏🤟🙌 I was so happy that I had to kiss it!! Now it was another 40km of street, so for me at least another good hour!

I stopped after a short while to suggest to Damian to hp already to the hotel to make the check in. Do he drove off and I snailed along...at least now, most of the time I could drive in 3rd gear, about 35-40kmh, until speed bumps- and there were still plenty of them. The last meters to the hotel was, of course, of road, so snailing again 🙄 I finally reached the hotel just when the sun started to get down ...

I was so happy that I made it, and having a nice, big and clean room! It was anyhow planned for two nights, to rest...but now it is searching for solutions!

But first FOOD!! And then rest and if I find energy, even a shower...

No shower, but an early night 😴😴