31 May 2022

Over 40 children had a fun-filled Saturday, thanks to Mountain Bike race challenge at Madison Reptile Facility Square in Mokolodi.

Organised by Life Cycle Bicycle and Tuition, in partnership with Paratus Botswana, the Bike Shredders Challenge is a three- part race series for children.

The race is held at the end of every quarter to support active, healthy and fun mountain biking in and around Gaborone.

“As Paratus Group we like to be involved with sports development, and we thought it would be good for the kids, to sponsor their race event,” managing director, Shawn Bruwer stated.

Bruwer said, in response to there being little or nothing in terms of cycling races for the children, they decided to be part of development of future cyclists of this country.

He further indicated that they were open to putting money into sponsoring a race event, rather than a category in a specific cycling race.

“We believe sponsoring an event like this would be beneficial to the sports development as well as help a number of children at the same time,” he said, adding that they were willing to look into other options in the future.

The event was more about the fun and thrill in the bush, despite some of the children losing the track markings.

“It was a fun ride in the bush, it was a bit difficult when we started, but we followed some markings and found our way,” said Kopo Pelaelo, who did 10km.

She said she got lost in the bush, but was later re-guided by the marshals.

“I even fell in the bush, but I enjoyed the race,” said the 10-year-old Kopo, who said she was inspired by her father, Maitseo, also an mountain bike rider.

Another rider, 14-year-old Ted Makgetho said the race route was tough, but he saddled through to the finish line.

“I got tired, but I pushed hard and never gave up,” stated Ted, who did 20km. Although his first taste of a race challenge was a little harsh, he said he was looking forward to more races.

In an interview with BOPA, Pelaelo, who is a seasoned Mountain Bike rider, hailed the kiddies’ race event and said there was need to work hard to promote kiddies cycling events.

“There are a lot of benefits for children when they cycle, it gives them focus as well as safety as they get to ride in the wilderness away from traffic,” Pelaelo said.

Commenting on the issue of losing the route, he encouraged organisers to improve on route markings and signage as well as increase marshals.

He said the markings were colour coded in their race tickets, according to their race distance, and with that in mind, somehow the kids assumed they would follow the same colours in the route.

“Therefore, next time in the briefing it should be properly stated to them to avoid confusion and issues of getting lost,” he said, adding that such would be helpful as children were not familiar with marked routes and signage meanings as they normally rode with their parents on unmarked routes.

Pelaelo further encouraged cyclist parents to support such initiatives as MTB race challenge and bring their children for participation in order to cultivate cycling interest at a young age.

Gobona Mantle, the organiser of the event, expressed gratitude to the parents and sponsors for a successful event.

She said although the race was technical, with switch backs, the children managed to traverse the route despite some losing the route markings here and there.

Mantle said she was happy that children had fun, which was the main aim.

She also acknowledged mistakes, saying, ‘we will learn from them for an improved and better shredders challenge’.

She further expressed appreciation to Paratus Botswana for the sponsorship injection along with other cycling accessories, which allowed for all the little riders to receive tokens of appreciation after a rough riding adventure.

The next is scheduled for August.  ENDS