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MBABANE – Group riding has been described as the heart of Eswatini Cycling activities - providing the opportunity for cyclists to cycle in incredible scenery while enjoying the company and camaraderie of fellow riders.

The Border2Border series continues on June 11 (next Saturday) with a 240km road route that runs across six towns in the beautiful Kingdom of Eswatini. The Ngwenya-Lavumisa ride follows four other successfully hosted Border2Border rides; Mhlumeni-Lavumisa (150km) in February 2021; Matsamo-Mananga (110km) in April last year; Ngwenya-Lavumisa (200km) in June 2021; and Mhlumeni-Lavumisa this year.

Riding in a group has been described as a wonderful opportunity to meet new people; improve fitness; explore new areas; and enjoy the extra speed of following a wheel. Initiated in 2020 and designed for road bikes, the Border2Border series is an endurance cycle ride targeted at both the recreational and competitive cyclist looking to test their limit and explore the country on two wheels.

Proud

Managed via a WhatsApp group consisting of 53 cyclists from different cycling clubs in the country, the Border2Border rides have become a big attraction in the social rides space in the kingdom. “We are proud of our achievements thus far, albeit with limited funding. We owe our success to the hard work and sacrifice of multiple cycling clubs and non-affiliated athletes in Eswatini,” said Eswatini Cycling Association (ECA) President Sifiso ‘Zwide’ Ndwandwe.

He said this border ride was not like other bike rides but a unique experience. “This rides deliver a touchable insight into the lavish beauty and diversity of the Kingdom of Eswatini,” he said.

The 2021 Ngwenya-Lavumisa ride started on the MR3 from the remnants of the iron ore dumps in Ngwenya, to the country’s capital, Mbabane. Taking the reader back, the president narrated how the start was guaranteed to be chilly and hilly, a lovely combination to test any cyclist’s resolve.

Steepest

The Mafutha Hill is the steepest climb of the day. Those who make it to the top will be richly rewarded; a long descent from Nkoyoyo to the foot of Manzana, 7km of pure adrenaline before the climbing begins again and also quickly rewarded with another exciting descent, a 7km freefall down the famous Malagwane Hill.

From Mvutjini, he said riders would cruise down to the industrial hub of Eswatini, that is Matsapha. At the 60 kilometre mark, 10km from Manzini, riders veer off the MR3 and jump on the MR8 that will lead to the 100km mark at Siphofaneni, which is located on the banks of the Usutu, the largest river in Eswatini.

The lush views of the sugar plantations offer a beautiful scenery leading to Big Bend, a small town in the Lubombo Region that is named after a sweeping curve on the great Usutu River. The town lies on a big bend in the river where it meets the famous Lubombo mountains. It’s a relatively flat terrain – gently undulating hills – from Big Bend to Lavumisa, littered with false climbs made easier by the beautiful views of the surrounding hills across the river and a wild beautiful gorge through the mountains.

BORDER2BORDER STARTING POINTS

1.Ngwenya Border Post – 5am – 240km 2.Manzini City Centre (Jubilee Park) – 7am – 180km 3.Mpaka Total Filling Station – 7am - 130km 4.Lukhula – 7:30am- 100km Registration is online and open until June 6 2022 Riders can register at https://www.webscorer.com/ register?raceid=273160