sounds like a crazy idea. But when done at night, in the luminosity of
the full moon, it becomes a surrealistically pleasurable experience. The
five-day Desert Knights Mountain-biking Tour takes place in the
spectacular ruggedness of the /Ai/Ais-Richtersveld Transfrontier Park.
King
Arthur may have explored his rolling green countryside on horseback,
but only mighty mountain-biking knights can conquer a demanding
desertscape in all its distance!
Hosted by Namibia Wildlife
Resorts, this year’s Desert Knights Mountain-biking Tour took place at
the end of October. Starting at the impressive Fish River Canyon View
Point in Namibia, the five-day mountain-biking trip crossed the border
and ended at Sendelingsdrift in South Africa, covering a total distance
of 275km by bike.
Transfrontier Park’s /Ai-/Ais section in Namibia is just as magnificent
in its vastness and arid beauty as the Richtersveld. Picture by Fran
Siebrits.
organiser Francois Snyders kept the snacks, appreciation and humour
flowing throughout the mountain-biking event. Picture by Fran Siebrits.
Experiencing
the desert environment of the /Ai/Ais-Richtersveld Transfrontier Park
from the saddle of a mountain bike is quite spectacular. The sense of
freedom that constantly accompanied me in such a vast, open landscape
surfaced simultaneously with a humbling respect for the power of nature.
What
is unique about this mountain biking event is the fact that it is
executed over the phase of full moon, which allowed us the unique
opportunity to cycle at night by the generous amount of lunar light. The
multi-stage event also included 34.5km of canoeing on the Orange
River, a welcome break from the bicycle seat after cruel corrugations
have had their fun.
cycling in the late afternoon and evening. The full moon provides ample
light for navigating in desert. Picture by Roland Vorwerk.
Forming
part of the cross-border conservation programme, Desert Knights is a
collaboration between South African National Parks, the South African
Department of Environmental Affairs, the Peace Parks Foundation, Namibia
Wildlife Resorts and the Ministry of Environment and Tourism in
Namibia.
The main idea of the event is to have an experience that
is truly boundless, where border posts and boundaries don’t interfere
with the freedom to roam. “An event of this nature always allows us to
test these ideas, and to see where things can run better,” explains
Roland Vorwerk from the Department of Environmental Affairs who also
took part in the event.
dramatic Richtersveld landscape makes for beautiful photographs and
surprisingly comfortable sleep. Pictures by Fran Siebrits.
I
dosed myself daily in the romance of being a cycling knight, mounting
my trusty two-wheeled steed equipped for an adventure. We headed off in
the late afternoon with the promising coolness come sunset as reward for
the first few hours of moisture loss. Each day was perfected by
watching the sun sink into a quivering horizon, followed by the full
moon taking its place in the sky. I’m sure many will agree that some of
the most memorable moments are those born in the breathtaking experience
of the dying day.
Mountain-biking by the light of the full moon
is not an activity that presents itself every day. Add the open solitude
of the desert environment to the equation and it’s an opportunity not
to be missed!
Become a Desert Knight
This year
the cost of participation was R5000 per cyclist. Non-cycling
accompanying adults pay R3750, and children between the ages of 6 to 12
years R2500. The fee covers camping accommodation, all meals and
snacks en route, water stations and the hiring of canoes for
participants on the third day.
For booking enquiries contact Niita Evaristus at mice@nwr.com.na
need a rugged 4×4 vehicle to explore the Richtersveld Transfrontier
Park, or you could do it by mountain bike during the Desert Knights
tour. Which would you choose?
Leave A Comment