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Bicycles at a school.
The Mooketsi Mountain Bike Challenge at Koedoes Valley, outside Modjadjiskloof in Limpopo, has attracted hundreds of cyclists from across the country. The annual event offers a unique adventure, taking cyclists through a diverse and stunning landscape.
The ride goes through a private game reserve, agricultural farmland, and untouched bushveld terrain. Cyclists of different ages participated in the various distance categories.
Some cyclists who participated say the race was challenging.
“This area really makes for tough terrain, and it’s quite a challenge you know on the route, you start off easy going out well gravel road and then halfway through the ride, you hit a steep climb with a steep downhill. So that was quite a challenge but that’s what mountain biking is about.”
“I love mountain biking, and I’ve loved it since I was like 15. So this was naturally, just something I really wanted to try. It was well marked. It was nice flats and innovation and beautiful areas and a nature reserve. I loved it. It was really good…. I did a few other races before, so I’ve been training a little bit. But I was very nervous. I was being very nervous, and I had to keep myself, keep telling myself to keep going.”
The Cycling Challenge organisers and sponsors such as Clive Garrett and Anthony Fitzhenry also expressed gratitude to those, who participated in this 13th Chapter of the annual race.
“As part of ZZ2 social responsibility, we felt we needed to give something back to the community. So we decided if we have this event, it’s an event where you can come along, you can ride, you can bring your family, when you finish riding, you can enjoy the day with your family. There’s always good food to eat. We always have something for the kids to do. You can sit on the grass under the trees and just enjoy the day.”
“For a lot of people, a bicycle is about racing and fun, but for many other people, it gives them access to a better lifestyle. 10 million children in South Africa go to school every single day, and what bicycle does is, it allows them to go to school quicker and without spending so much energy.”
As the riders crossed the finish line, exhausted but exhilarated, they were welcomed with cheers and applause from the crowd
