02 Nov 2020

The Otse Expedition Trails offers riding landscapes, which are not particularly technical, but with a little of uphill on one part of the route.

The trails were worth the effort, particularly along the Lentswe la Baratani uphill since they provided good views for the riders. 

However, for all-rounder cyclists, getting lost and missing route markings was a concern for them. 

Gontse Lethokwe of Team Swift Cycling Club did not register a desired good time due to missing the route markings. 

“I did not do well as I constantly had to wait for another rider who was familiar with the route to assist,” stated Lethokwe who was not impressed with his sprint win finish of 1:47:14 time in a 50km route, ahead of Edwin Banyatsang representing D&G Cycles who clocked 1:47:15 and Thato Madimabe with a 1:47:16 time finish in second and third positions respectively. 

Lethokwe said he lost time since he had to wait and break many times. “When I race I want to go all out on full gears until my finish,” stated a frustrated Lethokwe who said he failed dismally to beat his last race time of 1:34:19 at the Cycle4Life MTB race two weeks back.

He said the poor performance killed his goal of improving his time on each race. 

For Lebopo Mompe, a Junior Champion who completed 35km in 1:17:03, said some of the removed marks made it hard to navigate. 

“I am not happy with my time but I cannot complain too much because it was also not easy because of the strong headwind,” said Mompe. 

Regular MTB race organisers advised on proper visible markings to avoid riders getting lost in the tracks. 

“Usually for an MTB race route, bright colors like orange and green are used,” emphasised Maitseo Pelaelo of Cycle4Life club. 

Pelaelo indicated that using a danger tape was not wise because of its colors of white and red which were not so visible and in most cases riders tended to miss the route markings. 

Nevertheless, Pelaelo said the race route was therapeutic for the cyclists especially that it has rained overnight and it has green scenery. As a member of an MTB race club, Pelaelo advised other MTB organisers to use proper visible markings. 

“When riders go to races they are competing and they prepare themselves hard in order to enjoy and beat previous time,” stated Pelaelo saying it was frustrating for cyclists not to finish the race because they lost track due to poor markings. 

Otse Expedition Trails was organised by D&G Cycles and sponsored by KGM consultants, D&G Cycles, Western Insurance, global Holdings, Havai, 3G Mobiles, SignXpert, OGTS and B4H among others. ENDS