What a wild few days – The Roof of Africa 2010, which concluded on Saturday 27th November in Lesotho. Fittingly tough for “The Mother of Hardenduro”, it took no prisoners, conceding twenty-two gold medal finishers from a field of about two hundred and fifty. Twenty-four riders earned silver medals and a mere six took home the bronzes. Phenomenal achievements all! The war stories brought tears to the eyes and huge respect to the heart. This event that traverses the massive Maluti mountains, is seriously challenging! It’s also not all about the riders. Here’s a great video that explains more about the event’s consideration for the community:
My husband Dave took part, but unfortunately after a solid start, his race ended when his motor blew halfway through Friday’s gruelling stint. Here are a few photo’s that tell a snippet of the story:
Racing 'around the houses' in Maseru - Roof of Africa 2010
Friday's boggy starting pits - Roof of Africa 2010
Pit crew in action - Roof of Africa 2010
Ramabanta pits - Roof of Africa 2010
Photographing on Bushman's pass - Roof of Africa 2010
View of Bushman's pass - Roof of Africa 2010
All in all, this year’s ‘Roof’ raised the bar. It was way better organized and more spectator-friendly than last year’s, drawing crowds of fans and some top international competitors. These were led by New Zealander Chris Birch, who won spectacularly for the third time in a row, followed by South Africa’s Jade Gutzeit and Germany’s Andreas Lettenbichler, ‘Lettie’ for short. Here they are at the Red Bull finish:
Chris Birch at the finish - Roof of Africa 2010
Jade Gutzeit at the finish - Roof of Africa 2010
Lettie tossing his bike at the finish - Roof of Africa 2010
Champagne on the podium - Roof of Africa 2010
To read more about all the guts and glory, visit: www.roof-of-africa.com, and for loads more photo’s, here’s a link to Dave’s Facebook album: Roof of Africa 2010.
Sincere thanks to our friends who helped us tremendously, huge congrats to the winners and well done to everyone who took part! One thing’s for sure: our deposit will be paid the moment booking opens for 2011.
It does look like you guys had a fantastic day out there- thanks for sharing the pics
It was a fabulous few days, thanks Ida!
Hi Naomi
I did the Roof for the first time in 2010
Have you got other pic’s of me maybe # 28 ?
Awesome pictures. And great to see what the event does for the community.
Thank you, Chiira. There are many stories of the community helping riders out too when they’ve got stuck in the mountains. It’s heart-warming all round.
Naomi, you really bring the fun out of Africa that, to be honest, I, like probably many of my other “black” Africans (post worthy issue), am too busy working or worrying to make time for. THere is more to life than work and making dough, but ofcourse you need that dough in order to spend it and enjoy life. Please keep news like this coming. Roof of Africa looks fantastic, I think it would be something my brother would love so much and it has given me an idea of how to build a better relationship with him. Hopefully we can find a way to enter, maybe not next year realistically, but I definately want to make it happen!
Thanks for such a thoughtful comment, Emang. This event is really something – on an international enduro scale. I have no doubt that you and your brother would LOVE it, so hope you do make it happen
All the very best with that!
Great pictures! liked very much.
Thanks
http://www.sacredtravelguide.com/mount-kailash-abode-of-god.html