Hi All

Two of the most important essentials for increasing participation in any social sport are to have sensible, dedicated committee members along with healthy sponsorship from a local supporting company. Electrosales is one such company sponsoring an annual two-day Mountain Biking event at the start of November each year. This last weekend there were rides of 23km, 36km or 56km at Chabweno store, off the Shamva Road, on Saturday with similar rides in Chishawasha on Sunday. 

There were about 100 participants with random, valuable prizes awarded to every cyclist ranging from drills and toolboxes to fans, oils, and cooler boxes. All the tracks were pre-recorded in a gpx format that cyclists could either follow using a basic Garmin Cycling GPS or join up with fellow riders.

The highlight of Saturday’s ride was the participation of a dozen Falcon college school kids who had been driven up to Harare specifically to test out their skills on the 36km challenge. Their very proud coach, Patrick Alexander, send me a few photos along with a message: 

“For at least half of the riders, this was the longest distance they had ever attempted. A few mechanical uses along the route, such as a bent derailleur and a puncture that needed a plug, were ably dealt with by the team.” 

It would be great if future events like this could turn out into an inter-schools MTB race with teams from Peterhouse and Lomagundi also competing! Being out in the bush they must surely have great training grounds for this healthy, up-and-coming sport.

The good thing about these types of events in this country, is the gathering afterwards of fellow cyclists sitting around sharing stories whilst they devour a freshly made bacon and egg roll. Then, of course, there is the Draught Man selling cold, cold drinks under the shade of the indigenous trees. A few of the more proficient riders are heading off to the Matopos in a few weeks’ time for their annual “Heritage” event in the Matobo Hills. Make sure you listen out for the next MTB event. Mike G.