The Subaru Kalahari Challenge, 2day stage race.
This past weekend team bizhub travelled to Botswana to participate in the

6th edition of the Subaru Kalahari Challenge.
For most of us it was our first trip to Botswana and therefore we were
all looking forward to our adventure across the border.

Our team was invited by event organiser Seamus O’neil to be part of
the event this year. He also arranged for us to be hosted by a Botswana

family, Kim and Nevelle, the night prior to the event. They say the
only way to truly experience a country is through its people. Nevelle
and Kim didn’t just open their home for us but made us feel like
family from the moment we arrived there. To say we had a good evening is quite an understatement.
.
On Saturday the first stage started at Game City Centrum in
Gaborone and finished 98km South in the bush at Vulture’s Hill.

The next day’s 96km stage took as back home to Gaborone to finish off
the 2 day event at Gaborone Yacht club.
The flat course was quite rough and tough as the terrain in Botswana is very rocky and sandy (horizontal hills as they call it in the local language).


I also realized yet again that flat doesn’t mean it is going to be
easy. It only means that you will have to pedal nonstop to get anywhere.
I was amazed by all the single track they have in Botswana. On
both days the route consisted 90 % out of single and jeep track. I
am glad I didn’t have to mark the course as each single
track splits into 2 or 3 directions at least every 500m.

Our overnight stay in between stages was outstanding. Riders slept in army tents which came equipped with mattresses, 3 blankets for each rider, a pillow and a flash light. This meant there was no need to travel with sleeping bags or pillows.

We were also served delicious, traditional South African food
which consisted of ‘braaibrootjies', 'Kerrie en rys', 'worsbroodjies' and
'slap pap' just to name a few. (sorry but English words wouldn’t do justice here)
Bizhub had two teams riding in the event, a mixed team and a ladies team.
Nicci Grobler and I made up the ladies team. This was only our 2nd
time riding together but the two of us seem to bring out the best in each

other. This helped us to win both stages and also to take the
overall victory at the end.

The mixed team consisted of youngster Liani Morkel and Reinhardt
Basson. This event was Liani’s first stage race and therefore she was
mainly there to learn. At the end she and Reinhardt had a great ride
together and managed to finish 3rd on both stages, giving them 3rd
place overall at the end.

We couldn’t have asked for a better first experienced of Botswana.
What made this event truly special for us was the passion the event
organisers showed for their race and their warm hospitality.

Thanks again for making us part of this unique event.