[Event] Botswana Tourism Kalahari Challenge 2012

Kranswurm · April 4, 2012

Event Name: Botswana Tourism Kalahari Challenge 2012

When: 21 July 2012 - 22nd July 2012

Where: Gaborone Wharic Park Rugby Club, International

Category: MTB

THE BOTSWANA TOURISM KALAHARI CHALLENGE

2 DAY MTB RACE

BOTSWANA 2012

PRESENTED BY THE GABORONE CYCLING CLUB

Saturday July 21 to Sunday, July 22 2012

Update No. 1 : 28th March 2012

“boutique race, great value for money”

The Gaborone Cycling Club is grateful and proud to have

BOTSWANA TOURISM ORGANISATION

as its lead sponsor of the 2012 event.

The Course

The 2012 route will be a little different to that in 2011.

The Start and Finish is now at Wharic Park(Rugby Club) in Commerce Park

We have a new overnight camp, which means new routes and challenges and more exciting single track. Day 1 which will be a tough and challenging day with some short technical climbs and a few gnarly decents finishing at the over night camp (approx 97km).

Day 2 will be a similarly technical and demanding day as you wend your way back towards Gaborone through the most interesting scenery/ bush and flowing single track (approx. 90km).

We have dodged most of the desert, but there’ll still be the odd patch of sand (“horizontal hills as we call them in Botswana”) guaranteed to blip the heart-rate, and the ham strings

We have found some real hills, a bit of wildlife, and every variety of thorn known to man. Our Southern African visitors have learnt to their surprise that “flat” in Botswana does not mean “easy”, it just means you have to pedal all the way!

But don’t be frightened, the event is structured so that any (marathon) fit rider can have a great ride in a great country amongst really friendly people with great water stops, and an overnight stop, while providing more than enough challenges for the racing snakes.

Application, Entrance, Participation & Briefing

You can enter ON LINE at the Gaborone Cycling Club’s website www.gcc.org.bw

Or Alternatively ENTER on the application form provided, and send to Marius mpdewet@gmail.com or fax to +267 3931659. The event is strictly limited to 140 teams and 30 solo entries

Entries Close On 15th June 2012

No Entry Changes will be accepted after 15 July 2012 so make sure to get the correct partner on board.

Age Categories.

Open (19 – 39), Veterans (40 – 49), Masters (50 and over), Juniors (Under 19), Mixed and Women’s team categories.

Your age will be as at the date of the event 21st July 2012.

Where team members are different age categories the younger member age will apply. The exception to the rule is where one of the team members is a Junior, then the opposite will apply.

Entrance Fees

In Botswana: P3800 per team /P2000 Solo entry

Includes 2 Man Tent/1 Man Tent, Bedding, Meals, Goodie Bag and Cycle Shirt

In South Africa: R3,800.00 per team./R2000.00 Solo entry

Includes 2 Man Tent/1 Man Tent, Bedding, Meals, Goodie Bag and Cycle Shirt

Please note accommodation for guests is not provided, however there is ample space to pitch tents, park camper vans and other vehicles at the campsite.

Meals for guests will be P50 for the Registration Meal and P80 per meal at the campsite. Please indicate your requirements on the entry form.

Refund Policy

Cancellation prior to 15th June 2012- 50% refund

Cancellation after 15th June 2012 – No refund

Payment Details

In South Africa

Account Name : Pula Print

Bank: First National Bank

Branch: Mafikeng

Branch No: 240340

Current Account No: 52910490508

Reference: “KalChal + (one team member’s surname)”

In Botswana

Account Name : Gaborone Cycling Club

Stanbic Bank

Branch: Fairgrounds

Branch No: 06-49-67

Cheque Account No: 0140006192300

Reference: “KalChal + (one team member’s surname)”

The Registration will be held on Friday evening from 3pm July 20th, 2012 at Wharic Park (Rugby Club) and the Briefing will take place at 7pm. A free pasta meal will be provided for the entrants and pre-event carbo-loading refreshments will be on sale.

Good cash prizes and impressive trophies will be awarded to Open (19 – 39), Veterans (40 – 49), Masters (50 and over), Juniors (Under 19), first Botswana resident team - Mixed and Women’s team categories. All participants will receive a memorable high quality event-specific mountain bike shirt and lots more in their fabulous goodie bags (like you used to get in the good old days!)

Out of town Visitors

You will have to sort out your own accommodation requirements before and after the event. The Start and Finish is at the Wharic Park Rugby Club (see directions attached). A truck will pick up your overnight gear at the Start, for transport to the overnight venue, and will return the gear back to the Finish on the Sunday morning.

Accommodation in Gaborone

Limited chalet and campsite accommodation is available at the Mokolodi Nature Reserve, a long-time supporter of the event (see www.mokolodi.com for details). Accommodation information follows:

Hotels & Lodges -

(in order of proximity to the start)

Mokolodi Nature Reserve (267) 3911414 cheap

Cresta Lodge 3975375 mid

Metcourt Inn (Grand Palm) 3637777 mid

Gaborone Sun Hotel (Maru-a-Pula) 3616000 expensive

Limited home-hosting is available. Like minded mountain bike families will be able to offer some down-home Botswana comfort. There will also be some Camping capacity at the Gaborone Yacht club which is approx 5kms from the start

Contact Marius if you want to be home hosted, and we will see if we can fit you in.

Border Posts

Botswana is a sovereign country and visitors must have a passport.

Visitors will also have to pay a road tax on the Botswana side, so bring along P130 if possible, otherwise you will have to find a money changer at the border and get ripped off.

Tlokweng (main road from Zeerust to Gaborone) 0600 - 2400

Ramotswa (from Zeerust via Lehurutshe and Witkiegat) 0700 - 1900

(brings you out close to Mokolodi Nature Reserve)

Pioneer Gate (Lobatse) (main road from Zeerust to Lobatse) 0600 - 2400

The Overnight Stop

Is in a lovely valley, in the bush near Lekolobotlho village, off the main Gaborone- Lobatse road. You turn at the Otse Police College turnoff, and follow the signs for about 15kms

*WARNING – IT GET’s PRETTY COLD AT NIGHT*

Although the camp is in a remote area the access in and out is not very technical and normal sedan vehicles will be able to get in and out. We’ll have plenty of big fires and lights. Transport of riders’ personal gear to and from the overnight stop is provided.

There will be plenty to eat and drink (spirits, beer, wine and soft drinks). The event will provide Light lunch, Substantial dinner and Hearty breakfast at the overnight stop for the riders.

There will be HOT showers and we might even have some light entertainment and music in the evening.

On the track

We will have 3 main refuelling stations and an additional water stop on each day (read the reviews – they are very good), which could well delay your progress, as you sample the stunning array of drinks and snacks available (with thanks to our many wonderful sponsors). For the riding parts, we strongly recommend a hydrapak (you’ve gotta carry a spare tube anyway!) and maybe some trail-food. You’ll also want to carry cosmetics, sunscreen, tools, a cellphone (international roaming please). RIDE Magazine recommends a dual-suss bike for most riders, with tubeless tires. There will be a travelling bike shop with us, and medical back-up available. Marshals will help with the few significant road crossings. Otherwise, route-marking will be our standard orange paint and tape

Botswana dilemna: sand or thorns??? We face it every weekend, and have the scratches and cuts to show. But, beware the thorns: they are many, various and vicious. Preferably go tubeless, or, wear double tyre-liners with plenty of fresh slime. We can guarantee that you will leave at least a small part of your anatomy attached to Botswana’s ubiquitous flora (as Fritz Pienaar said, it’s hard to do 30km/h on Botswana single-track without getting scratched!). Adele Tait calls them “Kalahari Kisses” Bring a few plasters, and look to ride with arm warmers or long sleeve shirts

Sand-riding: We in Botswana pride ourselves on our sand-riding (and sand-avoidance) techniques. We will share some of them with our foreign visitors unless of course, you are faster than us.

Supporters

Riders will not need support from start to finish (all to be provided by the event), but family and friends are welcome, especially at the overnight stop. Spectator points will be advised at the briefing.

Training

Many people underestimate this ride, and did not do enough training last year.

They hurt. There are 17 weeks to go, so it’s time to start your training with some long slow distance rides with some hard weekend back to back training rides Sat and Sunday. You will need a few weekends of double-day distance rides under your belt. Your hands, shoulders and butt (as well as your legs) need to get habituated to the long hours in the saddle.

Any queries, contact Marius de Wet at e-mail: mpdewet@gmail.com or check the website www.gcc.org.bw

GET THOSE ENTRIES IN EARLY – INTEREST IN OUR EVENT IS STRONGER THAN EVER

Until our next update……..stay on the bike, and stay fit

More Event Quotes

“We couldn’t have asked for a better first experience of Botswana.

What made this event truly special for us was the passion the event

organizers showed for their race and their warm hospitality.

Thanks again for making us part of this unique event.” Yolandi Du Toit

“One has to marvel at the effort that the race organizers put in to creating and marking a single-track route that covers such a distance” (Gavin Briggs)

“…an amazing two days of mountain biking, amazing trails, beautiful scenery and superb event organization! I couldn't have wished for a better first Botswana experience” (Yolande Speedy)

“…we got to ride through amazing country side and never once were subjected to kilometers of “epic type” roads” (Paul Cordes)

“A whole chapter could be written about this race under the heading of “’hospitality’”

“…it is almost surreal to meet so many apparently content people… bemused elders and cheering kids waving Botswana flags…”

“Despite the fact that the race has a character unique to Botswana, the event is staged at a level that puts many races with more lavish resources to shame.”

“More singletrack in one day, than I have seen all year...”

“It is so good you just want to tell everyone to go… but don’t…”

“…best value…”

Check out the “RIDE MAGAZINE” race reports of October 2011

Go to Event Page

Edited April 5, 2012 by Kranswurm

Gliders · April 4, 2012

I will be filling in my entry form this evening! Was there last year and had a blast!

Kranswurm · April 4, 2012

I will be filling in my entry form this evening! Was there last year and had a blast!

Great... :thumbup:

Ikonic · April 5, 2012

Kranswurm, I would love to go back to 1970!!!

When: 21 July 2012 - 1 January 1970

Always wanted to do this one and perhaps this year it will be.

Ikonic · April 5, 2012

Just realized it is the same weekend as the Jock, pity.

Kranswurm · April 5, 2012

Kranswurm, I would love to go back to 1970!!!
When: 21 July 2012 - 1 January 1970
Always wanted to do this one and perhaps this year it will be.

Not sure what happened there

Fixed.Thanks for the heads up.

Make a plan!!

Kranswurm · April 11, 2012

Event Name: Botswana Tourism Kalahari Challenge 2012
When: 21 July 2012 - 22nd July 2012
Where: Gaborone Wharic Park Rugby Club, International
Category: MTB

THE BOTSWANA TOURISM KALAHARI CHALLENGE
2 DAY MTB RACE
BOTSWANA 2012

PRESENTED BY THE GABORONE CYCLING CLUB
Saturday July 21 to Sunday, July 22 2012

Update No. 1 : 28th March 2012
“boutique race, great value for money”

The Gaborone Cycling Club is grateful and proud to have
BOTSWANA TOURISM ORGANISATION
as its lead sponsor of the 2012 event.

The Course
The 2012 route will be a little different to that in 2011.
The Start and Finish is now at Wharic Park(Rugby Club) in Commerce Park
We have a new overnight camp, which means new routes and challenges and more exciting single track. Day 1 which will be a tough and challenging day with some short technical climbs and a few gnarly decents finishing at the over night camp (approx 97km).
Day 2 will be a similarly technical and demanding day as you wend your way back towards Gaborone through the most interesting scenery/ bush and flowing single track (approx. 90km).
We have dodged most of the desert, but there’ll still be the odd patch of sand (“horizontal hills as we call them in Botswana”) guaranteed to blip the heart-rate, and the ham strings

We have found some real hills, a bit of wildlife, and every variety of thorn known to man. Our Southern African visitors have learnt to their surprise that “flat” in Botswana does not mean “easy”, it just means you have to pedal all the way!

But don’t be frightened, the event is structured so that any (marathon) fit rider can have a great ride in a great country amongst really friendly people with great water stops, and an overnight stop, while providing more than enough challenges for the racing snakes.

Application, Entrance, Participation & Briefing
You can enter ON LINE at the Gaborone Cycling Club’s website www.gcc.org.bw
Or Alternatively ENTER on the application form provided, and send to Marius mpdewet@gmail.com or fax to +267 3931659. The event is strictly limited to 140 teams and 30 solo entries
Entries Close On 15th June 2012

No Entry Changes will be accepted after 15 July 2012 so make sure to get the correct partner on board.

Age Categories.

Open (19 – 39), Veterans (40 – 49), Masters (50 and over), Juniors (Under 19), Mixed and Women’s team categories.
Your age will be as at the date of the event 21st July 2012.

Where team members are different age categories the younger member age will apply. The exception to the rule is where one of the team members is a Junior, then the opposite will apply.

Entrance Fees
In Botswana: P3800 per team /P2000 Solo entry
Includes 2 Man Tent/1 Man Tent, Bedding, Meals, Goodie Bag and Cycle Shirt

In South Africa: R3,800.00 per team./R2000.00 Solo entry
Includes 2 Man Tent/1 Man Tent, Bedding, Meals, Goodie Bag and Cycle Shirt

Please note accommodation for guests is not provided, however there is ample space to pitch tents, park camper vans and other vehicles at the campsite.

Meals for guests will be P50 for the Registration Meal and P80 per meal at the campsite. Please indicate your requirements on the entry form.

Refund Policy
Cancellation prior to 15th June 2012- 50% refund
Cancellation after 15th June 2012 – No refund

Payment Details
In South Africa
Account Name : Pula Print
Bank: First National Bank
Branch: Mafikeng
Branch No: 240340
Current Account No: 52910490508
Reference: “KalChal + (one team member’s surname)”

In Botswana
Account Name : Gaborone Cycling Club
Stanbic Bank
Branch: Fairgrounds
Branch No: 06-49-67
Cheque Account No: 0140006192300
Reference: “KalChal + (one team member’s surname)”

The Registration will be held on Friday evening from 3pm July 20th, 2012 at Wharic Park (Rugby Club) and the Briefing will take place at 7pm. A free pasta meal will be provided for the entrants and pre-event carbo-loading refreshments will be on sale.

Good cash prizes and impressive trophies will be awarded to Open (19 – 39), Veterans (40 – 49), Masters (50 and over), Juniors (Under 19), first Botswana resident team - Mixed and Women’s team categories. All participants will receive a memorable high quality event-specific mountain bike shirt and lots more in their fabulous goodie bags (like you used to get in the good old days!)

Out of town Visitors
You will have to sort out your own accommodation requirements before and after the event. The Start and Finish is at the Wharic Park Rugby Club (see directions attached). A truck will pick up your overnight gear at the Start, for transport to the overnight venue, and will return the gear back to the Finish on the Sunday morning.

Accommodation in Gaborone
Limited chalet and campsite accommodation is available at the Mokolodi Nature Reserve, a long-time supporter of the event (see www.mokolodi.com for details). Accommodation information follows:
Hotels & Lodges -
(in order of proximity to the start)
Mokolodi Nature Reserve (267) 3911414 cheap
Cresta Lodge 3975375 mid
Metcourt Inn (Grand Palm) 3637777 mid
Gaborone Sun Hotel (Maru-a-Pula) 3616000 expensive

Limited home-hosting is available. Like minded mountain bike families will be able to offer some down-home Botswana comfort. There will also be some Camping capacity at the Gaborone Yacht club which is approx 5kms from the start

Contact Marius if you want to be home hosted, and we will see if we can fit you in.

Border Posts
Botswana is a sovereign country and visitors must have a passport.

Visitors will also have to pay a road tax on the Botswana side, so bring along P130 if possible, otherwise you will have to find a money changer at the border and get ripped off.

Tlokweng (main road from Zeerust to Gaborone) 0600 - 2400
Ramotswa (from Zeerust via Lehurutshe and Witkiegat) 0700 - 1900
(brings you out close to Mokolodi Nature Reserve)
Pioneer Gate (Lobatse) (main road from Zeerust to Lobatse) 0600 - 2400

The Overnight Stop

Is in a lovely valley, in the bush near Lekolobotlho village, off the main Gaborone- Lobatse road. You turn at the Otse Police College turnoff, and follow the signs for about 15kms

*WARNING – IT GET’s PRETTY COLD AT NIGHT*

Although the camp is in a remote area the access in and out is not very technical and normal sedan vehicles will be able to get in and out. We’ll have plenty of big fires and lights. Transport of riders’ personal gear to and from the overnight stop is provided.

There will be plenty to eat and drink (spirits, beer, wine and soft drinks). The event will provide Light lunch, Substantial dinner and Hearty breakfast at the overnight stop for the riders.

There will be HOT showers and we might even have some light entertainment and music in the evening.

On the track
We will have 3 main refuelling stations and an additional water stop on each day (read the reviews – they are very good), which could well delay your progress, as you sample the stunning array of drinks and snacks available (with thanks to our many wonderful sponsors). For the riding parts, we strongly recommend a hydrapak (you’ve gotta carry a spare tube anyway!) and maybe some trail-food. You’ll also want to carry cosmetics, sunscreen, tools, a cellphone (international roaming please). RIDE Magazine recommends a dual-suss bike for most riders, with tubeless tires. There will be a travelling bike shop with us, and medical back-up available. Marshals will help with the few significant road crossings. Otherwise, route-marking will be our standard orange paint and tape

Botswana dilemna: sand or thorns??? We face it every weekend, and have the scratches and cuts to show. But, beware the thorns: they are many, various and vicious. Preferably go tubeless, or, wear double tyre-liners with plenty of fresh slime. We can guarantee that you will leave at least a small part of your anatomy attached to Botswana’s ubiquitous flora (as Fritz Pienaar said, it’s hard to do 30km/h on Botswana single-track without getting scratched!). Adele Tait calls them “Kalahari Kisses” Bring a few plasters, and look to ride with arm warmers or long sleeve shirts

Sand-riding: We in Botswana pride ourselves on our sand-riding (and sand-avoidance) techniques. We will share some of them with our foreign visitors unless of course, you are faster than us.

Supporters
Riders will not need support from start to finish (all to be provided by the event), but family and friends are welcome, especially at the overnight stop. Spectator points will be advised at the briefing.

Training
Many people underestimate this ride, and did not do enough training last year.
They hurt. There are 17 weeks to go, so it’s time to start your training with some long slow distance rides with some hard weekend back to back training rides Sat and Sunday. You will need a few weekends of double-day distance rides under your belt. Your hands, shoulders and butt (as well as your legs) need to get habituated to the long hours in the saddle.

Any queries, contact Marius de Wet at e-mail: mpdewet@gmail.com or check the website www.gcc.org.bw

GET THOSE ENTRIES IN EARLY – INTEREST IN OUR EVENT IS STRONGER THAN EVER

Until our next update……..stay on the bike, and stay fit

More Event Quotes

“We couldn’t have asked for a better first experience of Botswana.
What made this event truly special for us was the passion the event
organizers showed for their race and their warm hospitality.
Thanks again for making us part of this unique event.” Yolandi Du Toit

“One has to marvel at the effort that the race organizers put in to creating and marking a single-track route that covers such a distance” (Gavin Briggs)

“…an amazing two days of mountain biking, amazing trails, beautiful scenery and superb event organization! I couldn't have wished for a better first Botswana experience” (Yolande Speedy)

“…we got to ride through amazing country side and never once were subjected to kilometers of “epic type” roads” (Paul Cordes)

“A whole chapter could be written about this race under the heading of “’hospitality’”
“…it is almost surreal to meet so many apparently content people… bemused elders and cheering kids waving Botswana flags…”
“Despite the fact that the race has a character unique to Botswana, the event is staged at a level that puts many races with more lavish resources to shame.”
“More singletrack in one day, than I have seen all year...”
“It is so good you just want to tell everyone to go… but don’t…”
“…best value…”

Check out the “RIDE MAGAZINE” race reports of October 2011

Go to Event Page

Bump

Kranswurm · April 24, 2012

Event Name: Botswana Tourism Kalahari Challenge 2012
When: 21 July 2012 - 22nd July 2012
Where: Gaborone Wharic Park Rugby Club, International
Category: MTB

THE BOTSWANA TOURISM KALAHARI CHALLENGE
2 DAY MTB RACE
BOTSWANA 2012

PRESENTED BY THE GABORONE CYCLING CLUB
Saturday July 21 to Sunday, July 22 2012

Update No. 1 : 28th March 2012
“boutique race, great value for money”

The Gaborone Cycling Club is grateful and proud to have
BOTSWANA TOURISM ORGANISATION
as its lead sponsor of the 2012 event.

The Course
The 2012 route will be a little different to that in 2011.
The Start and Finish is now at Wharic Park(Rugby Club) in Commerce Park
We have a new overnight camp, which means new routes and challenges and more exciting single track. Day 1 which will be a tough and challenging day with some short technical climbs and a few gnarly decents finishing at the over night camp (approx 97km).
Day 2 will be a similarly technical and demanding day as you wend your way back towards Gaborone through the most interesting scenery/ bush and flowing single track (approx. 90km).
We have dodged most of the desert, but there’ll still be the odd patch of sand (“horizontal hills as we call them in Botswana”) guaranteed to blip the heart-rate, and the ham strings

We have found some real hills, a bit of wildlife, and every variety of thorn known to man. Our Southern African visitors have learnt to their surprise that “flat” in Botswana does not mean “easy”, it just means you have to pedal all the way!

But don’t be frightened, the event is structured so that any (marathon) fit rider can have a great ride in a great country amongst really friendly people with great water stops, and an overnight stop, while providing more than enough challenges for the racing snakes.

Application, Entrance, Participation & Briefing
You can enter ON LINE at the Gaborone Cycling Club’s website www.gcc.org.bw
Or Alternatively ENTER on the application form provided, and send to Marius mpdewet@gmail.com or fax to +267 3931659. The event is strictly limited to 140 teams and 30 solo entries
Entries Close On 15th June 2012

No Entry Changes will be accepted after 15 July 2012 so make sure to get the correct partner on board.

Age Categories.

Open (19 – 39), Veterans (40 – 49), Masters (50 and over), Juniors (Under 19), Mixed and Women’s team categories.
Your age will be as at the date of the event 21st July 2012.

Where team members are different age categories the younger member age will apply. The exception to the rule is where one of the team members is a Junior, then the opposite will apply.

Entrance Fees
In Botswana: P3800 per team /P2000 Solo entry
Includes 2 Man Tent/1 Man Tent, Bedding, Meals, Goodie Bag and Cycle Shirt

In South Africa: R3,800.00 per team./R2000.00 Solo entry
Includes 2 Man Tent/1 Man Tent, Bedding, Meals, Goodie Bag and Cycle Shirt

Please note accommodation for guests is not provided, however there is ample space to pitch tents, park camper vans and other vehicles at the campsite.

Meals for guests will be P50 for the Registration Meal and P80 per meal at the campsite. Please indicate your requirements on the entry form.

Refund Policy
Cancellation prior to 15th June 2012- 50% refund
Cancellation after 15th June 2012 – No refund

Payment Details
In South Africa
Account Name : Pula Print
Bank: First National Bank
Branch: Mafikeng
Branch No: 240340
Current Account No: 52910490508
Reference: “KalChal + (one team member’s surname)”

In Botswana
Account Name : Gaborone Cycling Club
Stanbic Bank
Branch: Fairgrounds
Branch No: 06-49-67
Cheque Account No: 0140006192300
Reference: “KalChal + (one team member’s surname)”

The Registration will be held on Friday evening from 3pm July 20th, 2012 at Wharic Park (Rugby Club) and the Briefing will take place at 7pm. A free pasta meal will be provided for the entrants and pre-event carbo-loading refreshments will be on sale.

Good cash prizes and impressive trophies will be awarded to Open (19 – 39), Veterans (40 – 49), Masters (50 and over), Juniors (Under 19), first Botswana resident team - Mixed and Women’s team categories. All participants will receive a memorable high quality event-specific mountain bike shirt and lots more in their fabulous goodie bags (like you used to get in the good old days!)

Out of town Visitors
You will have to sort out your own accommodation requirements before and after the event. The Start and Finish is at the Wharic Park Rugby Club (see directions attached). A truck will pick up your overnight gear at the Start, for transport to the overnight venue, and will return the gear back to the Finish on the Sunday morning.

Accommodation in Gaborone
Limited chalet and campsite accommodation is available at the Mokolodi Nature Reserve, a long-time supporter of the event (see www.mokolodi.com for details). Accommodation information follows:
Hotels & Lodges -
(in order of proximity to the start)
Mokolodi Nature Reserve (267) 3911414 cheap
Cresta Lodge 3975375 mid
Metcourt Inn (Grand Palm) 3637777 mid
Gaborone Sun Hotel (Maru-a-Pula) 3616000 expensive

Limited home-hosting is available. Like minded mountain bike families will be able to offer some down-home Botswana comfort. There will also be some Camping capacity at the Gaborone Yacht club which is approx 5kms from the start

Contact Marius if you want to be home hosted, and we will see if we can fit you in.

Border Posts
Botswana is a sovereign country and visitors must have a passport.

Visitors will also have to pay a road tax on the Botswana side, so bring along P130 if possible, otherwise you will have to find a money changer at the border and get ripped off.

Tlokweng (main road from Zeerust to Gaborone) 0600 - 2400
Ramotswa (from Zeerust via Lehurutshe and Witkiegat) 0700 - 1900
(brings you out close to Mokolodi Nature Reserve)
Pioneer Gate (Lobatse) (main road from Zeerust to Lobatse) 0600 - 2400

The Overnight Stop

Is in a lovely valley, in the bush near Lekolobotlho village, off the main Gaborone- Lobatse road. You turn at the Otse Police College turnoff, and follow the signs for about 15kms

*WARNING – IT GET’s PRETTY COLD AT NIGHT*

Although the camp is in a remote area the access in and out is not very technical and normal sedan vehicles will be able to get in and out. We’ll have plenty of big fires and lights. Transport of riders’ personal gear to and from the overnight stop is provided.

There will be plenty to eat and drink (spirits, beer, wine and soft drinks). The event will provide Light lunch, Substantial dinner and Hearty breakfast at the overnight stop for the riders.

There will be HOT showers and we might even have some light entertainment and music in the evening.

On the track
We will have 3 main refuelling stations and an additional water stop on each day (read the reviews – they are very good), which could well delay your progress, as you sample the stunning array of drinks and snacks available (with thanks to our many wonderful sponsors). For the riding parts, we strongly recommend a hydrapak (you’ve gotta carry a spare tube anyway!) and maybe some trail-food. You’ll also want to carry cosmetics, sunscreen, tools, a cellphone (international roaming please). RIDE Magazine recommends a dual-suss bike for most riders, with tubeless tires. There will be a travelling bike shop with us, and medical back-up available. Marshals will help with the few significant road crossings. Otherwise, route-marking will be our standard orange paint and tape

Botswana dilemna: sand or thorns??? We face it every weekend, and have the scratches and cuts to show. But, beware the thorns: they are many, various and vicious. Preferably go tubeless, or, wear double tyre-liners with plenty of fresh slime. We can guarantee that you will leave at least a small part of your anatomy attached to Botswana’s ubiquitous flora (as Fritz Pienaar said, it’s hard to do 30km/h on Botswana single-track without getting scratched!). Adele Tait calls them “Kalahari Kisses” Bring a few plasters, and look to ride with arm warmers or long sleeve shirts

Sand-riding: We in Botswana pride ourselves on our sand-riding (and sand-avoidance) techniques. We will share some of them with our foreign visitors unless of course, you are faster than us.

Supporters
Riders will not need support from start to finish (all to be provided by the event), but family and friends are welcome, especially at the overnight stop. Spectator points will be advised at the briefing.

Training
Many people underestimate this ride, and did not do enough training last year.
They hurt. There are 17 weeks to go, so it’s time to start your training with some long slow distance rides with some hard weekend back to back training rides Sat and Sunday. You will need a few weekends of double-day distance rides under your belt. Your hands, shoulders and butt (as well as your legs) need to get habituated to the long hours in the saddle.

Any queries, contact Marius de Wet at e-mail: mpdewet@gmail.com or check the website www.gcc.org.bw

GET THOSE ENTRIES IN EARLY – INTEREST IN OUR EVENT IS STRONGER THAN EVER

Until our next update……..stay on the bike, and stay fit

More Event Quotes

“We couldn’t have asked for a better first experience of Botswana.
What made this event truly special for us was the passion the event
organizers showed for their race and their warm hospitality.
Thanks again for making us part of this unique event.” Yolandi Du Toit

“One has to marvel at the effort that the race organizers put in to creating and marking a single-track route that covers such a distance” (Gavin Briggs)

“…an amazing two days of mountain biking, amazing trails, beautiful scenery and superb event organization! I couldn't have wished for a better first Botswana experience” (Yolande Speedy)

“…we got to ride through amazing country side and never once were subjected to kilometers of “epic type” roads” (Paul Cordes)

“A whole chapter could be written about this race under the heading of “’hospitality’”
“…it is almost surreal to meet so many apparently content people… bemused elders and cheering kids waving Botswana flags…”
“Despite the fact that the race has a character unique to Botswana, the event is staged at a level that puts many races with more lavish resources to shame.”
“More singletrack in one day, than I have seen all year...”
“It is so good you just want to tell everyone to go… but don’t…”
“…best value…”

Check out the “RIDE MAGAZINE” race reports of October 2011

Go to Event Page

Bump

Kranswurm · May 16, 2012