Category: Cycling

  • Matopo’s Zimbabwe 7

    The night was cold and very windy so it was decided to drive to the Matopos National Park for our tourist day and then ride from there. After a relaxed breakfast, bikes were loaded and we drove over very bad corrugated roads to the Park. Days riding in the park 37.8km, 455m, 2h05 and elapsed…

  • Matopo’s Zimbabwe 6

    Day 4 on Monday was a more local tour led by Rohan with Des and Gavin back in Gabarone for work. The day 45.6 km, 568m, 3h30 moving time and 4h23 elapsed time. A 7 o’clock start and lovely day out.

  • Matopo’s Zimbabwe 5

    Day 4 was again an early breakfast at 5h30 and ride start at 6h30 for a Rock and Roll day of Caves and Rock Art. A beautiful day again with a 58.6 Km, 823m, 4h17 moving time and 6h58 elapsed time ride. Sunrise at the stream I went for an evening walk on the highest…

  • Matopo’s Zimbabwe 4

    Day 3 Ride to the Battlefields – Rhodes vs the Ndebele in March 1896. Gavin recounted the history along the way and guided by Des on a cycling day of 72 km, 1234m of climbing and 5h40 moving time and elapsed time 9h19. We had breakfast at 5h30 and headed off at 6h30 – to…

  • Matopo’s Zimbabwe 3

    After or visit to the Khami Heritage site we returned to Bulawayo to Gavins house for bike assembly and lunch. It was really hot and waited until around 2 to start our journey to the Matopos. Des arrived to guide us on our way. We left through the suburbs of Bulawayo on a 47.7 Km…

  • Matopo’s Zimbabwe 2

    The Friday morning started with breakfast where the option was coffee and “full house” breakfast – no other choices – but with super friendly service. We were all grateful and silently excited to start our Matopos adventure. After breakfast we met Rob – a retired teacher and expert on the regions and Ndebele history. Rob…

  • Matopo’s Zimbabwe 1

    This story started pre-covid where the experience to ride the Matopo’s with Gerald de Kock was muted. Excited for a new experience as well as a journey into past memories, Tim, Steve, Andrew and I paid our fees excited for a cycling and cultural adventure to the beautiful Matopos. Tim and Steve lived in Bulawayo…

  • Cape Epic-The Other Side

    The 2023 Cape Epic took place last week and I was there to support two teams of close friends. Before I carry on, I need to congratulate Team “Ginger Beer” (Stu and Amri) and Team “Act Your Age” (Seamus and Kfir), for finishing the 8 stages of the Epic. Truly an admirable achievement for what…

  • Riding sea & wine

    It is one of those days that go into ones memory bank with gratitude for the day that was. I was awake early and decided on an early around the mountain anticlockwise MTB ride so lights were needed for the early start. I was in the zone, in the dark, focused on the climb at…