The final stage of Lesotho Sky took us on a loop from Ramabanta Lodge and back. The stage seemed harmless: only 47km and 1400m ascent.
I was feeling really good and keen to ride hard. Nick had other ideas.
We started out on a steep tar climb back up the pass we came over yesterday. From there we shot off into some really loose, sketchy hills and a lot of taxing rocky climbs. I latched onto a stronger group and stayed with them, assuming Nick would catch me as he usually does.
About halfway we got lost in a field. Eventually we found a rogue arrow hidden in a donga. Nick appeared on the horizon at this point- not too impressed at being abandoned by his teammate.
We then meandered our way to the second water point, and onto some district roads. Here the going started to get tough. Repetitive sharp rocky climbs, with the final pass looming in the distance.
I was starting to feel my earlier effort, and had to put my head down and spin out the climbs. The last push seemed familiar: the same tar pass from the day before. Luckily Nick had found his second wind, and gave me a much needed push to the top.
We finished, holding on to our third position in the mixed category (it should be noted that only 5 teams started). Huge respect to the Dreyers and Barnards who took first and second place respectively. Now time to enjoy the view and a cold Maluti Lager.
A huge thanks to Christian, Darryl and the rest of the Lesotho Sky crew for organising this amazing event. We’ll definitely be back.
1st: Full-Dynamix Biogen – Rourke Croeser; Max Knox. 2nd: SCOTT Factory Racing powered by LCB – Matthys Beukes;
Philip Buys. 3rd: RECM Versluys – Jens Schuermans; James Reid.
1st: Standard Lesotho Bank – Teboho Khantsi; John Ntuli. 2nd: Alliance Insurance Company – Sipho Madolo; Pethetso Monese. 3rd: Vodacom Lesotho – Malefetsane Lesofe; Tumelo Makae.
1st: Novus OMX Pro Team – Vera Adrian; Cherie Vale. 2nd: Full Sus Ladies – Lolita van Aardt; Diana Carolin.
Wow. Sounds like an absolutely exhilarating experience.
Been to Lesotho 3 times but was before I bought my MTB. Was more of a road runner in those days and the locals looked at me real funny running through villages in the early morning on those cold frisky mornings. Beautiful country with beautiful people.