Events

Windhoek Light Namib Quest entries are open

· By Press Office · 0 comments

The 2015 Windhoek Light Namib Quest sees 75 two-man Mountain bike teams navigate their way through harsh, and sometimes sandy, Namibian terrain. Commencing on 24 May 2015, teams will leave the capital city of Windhoek and over the next six days, covering 450km as they make their way to the finish line in Swakopmund.

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The first four days of the race will take the riders through the Khomas Hochland plateau separating Windhoek from the Namib Desert. The terrain is hilly with a few short, hard climbs and technical descents. Half way through day four, a long, but very fast technical descent takes you into the Namib Desert. For those who are able to take in the scenery as they ride, this is the most scenic location of the race, and the race village is positioned in a spectacular setting.

Day five covers a flat traverse of the ‘Tinkas’ plains in the Desert. In the past, this stage has been fast paced with several wildlife encounters. Teams will need to work together throughout the event as it can be mentally and physically challenging at times. However, a high level of camaraderie on and off the route makes it fun, and offers many riders the boost they need to make it to the finish line.

At the end of each stage, teams will retire to a race village to be fed and spend the night in a large two-man dome tent. There are also VIP packages and supporter packages available for those who would like to follow the race, enjoying the beautiful Namibian landscape without taking part.

Windhoek Light Namib Quest race details:

Date: 24 – 29 May 2015.

Location: Windhoek to Swakopmund

Registration: 23 May 2015 in Windhoek

Costs:

  • Entries received before 28 February 2015 – N$25,000 per team of two rider.
  • Entries received after 1 March 2015 – closing date – N$25,500 per team of two riders.
  • Accommodation: Accommodation before the race and upon completion is the rider’s responsibility. During the race, tented accommodation and all meals are covered by the race organisers.

Space is limited and entries will close as soon as the 75 team allocations have been filled. Solo entry options are available on request and subject to participant experience and approval from the event organisers at N$13,500.

Windhoek Light Namib Quest 2015 stage overviews:

Stage 1: Windhoek to Farm Huesis (78.2km; 1294m ascent with a 1286 descent): Riders will depart from the Windhoek Country Club and can expect a long and steady climb towards the Khomas Hochland Plateau. A combination of gravel roads and farm jeep tracks will lead the riders to the stage finish.

Stage 2: Farm Huesis to Harmony Centre (77.1km; 1534m ascent and 1514m descent): This stage sees participants riding on the oldest jeep track in Namibia – it was once the ox-wagon trail connecting Windhoek to the coast. But don’t get too sentimental, riders can also expect tough hilly jeep track sections during the stage. However, the spectacular view at the race village set up at one of the highest points of the Khomas Hochland will not disappoint.

Stage 3: Harmony Centre to Farm Tsawisis (61.6km; 1387m ascent with the highest descent on the route, 1767m): This stage is dominated by a long, technical descent into a remote valley providing scenic landscapes and game sightings. The day’s extremely technical and narrow river creek will see many riders opting to walk, but a fast jeep track section follows that will ensure that riders make up time.

Stage 4: Farm Tsawisis to Farm Donkerhoek (70.8km; 1393m ascent and a 1422m descent): Riders will undertake a steep climb of around 400 vertical meters on a track carved out of the side of a mountain. Should there be rain before the Windhoek Light Namib Quest takes place, the day’s trials will be richly rewarded with a refreshing swim in a farm dam located near the race village.

Stage 5: Farm Donkerhoek to Goanikontes Oasis (exact distance to be confirmed; 223m ascent, 776m descent): This is a new stage route for 2015 which is mostly flat grave roads passing through the Namib Naukluft National Park so expect plenty of game viewing. The race village is set up in a natural oasis located in the Swakop river bed.

Stage 6: Goanikontes Oasis to Swakopmund (exact distance to the finish line to be confirmed; 192m ascent and a descent of 944m): Another new route for 2015. This stage will see the back teams starting first, and the leading teams last at 2 minute intervals. The teams will arrive at the Windhoek Light Namib Quest official finish at The Mole in Swakopmund after a shorter but fast stage race to be united with family and friends.

All finishers will receive an official “Finishers” shirt and all riders who enter will also receive preferred entry into the following year’s event. For more information on the Windhoek Light Namib Quest and to enter, please visit the website, call +264(0) 81 1288 481 or head to the Facebook page.

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