Dakar participant, and Namibian ‘Off-Rd King’, Ingo Waldschmidt attended an ‘Enduro World’ practice weekend in Lesotho recently, participating in an ‘Enduro World’ international motorcycle magazine event, which covers all the routes/tracks that the Roof of Africa competitors rode on in past years.
He was joined by 30 riders in a three day adventure over tortuous terrain, with a choice of riding in three different categories – a Bronze, Silver and Gold route. “Bronze is the easier one to follow, silver is very tough, and gold is insane,” he said, adding that he opted for Silver, which involved an easier route on Thursday, more like a Namibian Enduro. But Friday he rode a total of 150 kilometres, and bikers needed to help each other up the mountains passes with rope. Saturday was worse, and took three and a half hours to reach the top, mostly carrying, lifting and pushing the bike.
“I have done eight Roof of Africa’s in the past finishing seven, but am not planning on riding this year because of a previous injury and not being 100% fit, but I will certainly think of doing it again.”
Motoring Reporter