Otniel Hembapu
As excitement continues to mount, organisers of the popular PSG/Capricorn Group Ride the Ridges MTB race yesterday shared that they have made available another extra 20 slots for this year’s event.
This now takes the number of expected participants to a record 220 riders.
The PSG Namibia and Capricorn Group-sponsored race is set to take place from 24 to 26 March, with riders starting and finishing the three-day race at Heja Game Lodge on the outskirts of Windhoek.
Speaking to this publication, Patrick de Goede, director at Cycletec and one of the race’s leading organisers, said they have opened up extra slots for the 2023 event as demand and interest from various local and international riders was high.
Widely celebrated as Namibia’s biggest three-day trail ride, participants will again battle it out in the 25-30km distances on day one, 70km on day two, and the gruelling 35-40km distances on the third and final day of the event.
“We have decided to increase the entry number with another extra 20 slots because the demand was just so high as everyone wants to be part of this historic event. So, I’m urging would-be riders to make use of this opportunity to enter the race, as it will be bigger and better this year. We are always looking at ways to make the race exciting for the riders and this year won’t be any different.
“The distances will remain the same as last year, but we have changed the routes a bit this time around and the aim is to really make it more challenging and exciting for the participants. With the 20 extra slots, we are expecting this year’s number of participants to reach 220 and that will be the final number of entries,” said De Goede, who also shared that a great number of international riders will be gracing the race.
As has become tradition, the race will again be offering sublime riding routes, feeding stations, rider hospitality areas at the finish line, meals and drinks after every stage, coffee and rusks each morning, secure bike parking and courtesy bike wash and lube; amongst other complimentary services over the three days.