Albert Milton Cycling challenge completes 570Km

Cycling is a lifestyle sport that is slowly getting recognition in Botswana, especially over charity events.

This past weekend, the Majwe- AM5 cycling challenge finished on a good note as the cyclists successfully finished their 570 Km ride. This was in honour of the late General Manager of Majwe Mining, Albert Milton who could have been turning 57 years this year.

The team saw it fit to add a zero to his age and celebrate him by riding 570 Km. All the riders agree that cycling is not for the faint hearted but it is also fun to do, especially as a team. When the team left Gaborone, they just cycled at an average pace of about 28 Km/ h as a collective, and elevated to 37 Km/ h on the way from Mahalapye to Gaborone, and 33Km/ h on the final lap to Jwaneng.

Many believe that the sport is male dominated, but there are few women who can prove this wrong. First Lady, Neo Masisi has been circling for different events, and this event was not an exception as she as well accompanied the team half way to Mahalapye. The wife to the late Milton, Albertinah Milton, with Wayne Odisang, reached the destination before their male counterparts.

Milton tells BG Style that cycling has always been close to her heart, because they would ride together with her husband, to a point that they had to form a cycling club in Jwaneng. She highlights that she has done long distances, including Gaborone- Kasane and Maun- Gaborone before. “I am just honoured that the ride went well and the weather was favourable too. This allowed us to cycle well while honouring my husband, and I am happy that his legacy lives on,” she said, reiterating that cycling is fun.

This is one sport that requires more liquids for hydration purposes, and the nutrition required for cycling is also critical. Cyclists representative, Charles Vogne of Tsela Riders Team noted that cyclists’ nutrition is mostly made up of carbo loading, and as such the cyclists mostly take pasta and energy bars.

“When there is a ride, a cyclist is required to hydrate overnight, on the eve of the ride,” he said. He explained that a cyclist also has to be very selective with what they eat; that when they ride, they are not supposed to take anything foreign to their bodies. “If one has been taking an orange juice, that is what they are supposed to take throughout the ride and they also use gel instant energy to restore the energy lost during the ride,” he said. Furthermore, they do not have to take alcohol during that period because they need a clean bladder for

When there is a ride, a cyclist is required to hydrate overnight, on the eve of the ride

toxin intake, in order to perform well. He reiterated that it is very important to maintain similar meals to avoid upsetting the tummy.

Lebone Rammidi, also a cyclist and member of Jwaneng Cycling Club as well as Botswana Cycling National Team, further indicated that as much as cycling is fun it needs one’s dedication. He dismissed the view that the sport is expensive, saying that more cyclists are needed to be able to represent the country at global level one day. He is of the view that training is a necessity for anything and cycling in Botswana can reach greater heights as a lifestyle sport.