The theme song of Top Gun is playing in the background, seven fighter jets break the sound barrier overhead, Maluti lagers flow aplenty. That’s how we imagined the route launch for today, but our budget is tight, so this press release will suffice.
We are massively excited about this year’s race. The 2016 route, as always, is the best one yet. It will be the longest route since 2012 but probably the route closest to how we want to be. The new addition – and our gift to the world of mountain biking – is the final stage in Semonkong. Last year we scrambled to put together a short stage at the last minute in Semonkong; this time we had a few months. The route last year was awesome; this year we fail to describe it sufficiently in written word.
The route will take riders close to edge of the spectacular Maletsunyane Gorge on a 10km singletrack we’ve dubbed The Wild Goose. A trail you will wish never ends. It will be the Wild Goose chase of your life. Even the race leaders will stop to take selfies.
And because it so amazing, we will open the final stage to the public. This provides an excellent opportunity for friends and family to join in the same vibe all the Lesotho Sky heroes have experienced over the last five days. Public day participants will be able to choose between the full final stage distance or a shorter stage. For this reason, we have also moved the 2016 race to start on a Monday and finish on a Saturday. This allows the final stage to be a public day, and gives riders more room to explore Lesotho before the start of the event.
This is a tried and tested stage of the Lesotho Sky and seasoned riders will know their way to an ice cold Maluti at Malealea Lodge by now.
This is a tried and tested stage of the Lesotho Sky and seasoned riders will know their way to an ice cold Maluti at Malealea Lodge by now.
The Malealea Monster is a route and race pioneered by the Malealea lodge manager Michael. Through some great knowledge of the area and innovative work with the local community the route is a sensational array of well-maintained trails, unrelenting climbs and truly breathtaking views.
This stage was first introduced in 2012 and has remained untouched ever since. It’s perfectly balanced and faster, kilometre for kilometre than the rest of the race. It’s a day for the guys who love to spend more time in the saddle…
This has to be the most rewarding stage of the Lesotho Sky. You have two major obstacles in your way, though: Bushman’s Pass and the 3 Witches.
This is a fantastic stage, nice and short so you can relax on the amazing Ramabanta lawns for most of the afternoon.
There are still limited entries available here.
Biggest case of FOMO of my life!!