Wilderness trails for development cyclists

THE iSimangaliso-Boundless Southern Africa cycling team is an international development team consisting of budding cyclists from Somkhele, KwaMduku and Swaziland. Last year’s team participated in the MTB 4-day event and team members hope to do so again this year.

Michael Ndwandwe, who lives in Somkhele and works in St Lucia, Bonginkosi Ngwane, of KwaMduku, and Swaziland’s Mbusi Motsa all love to cycle and do so both as a primary form of transport and for pleasure.

Motsa calls himself a ‘weekend warrior’, spending hours at a time cycling through Swaziland’s protected areas.

On selection for the Boundless cycling team, each member was given a Silverback mountain bike by organisers of the iSimangaliso MTB 4-day event, led by Roland Vorwerk representing Boundless Southern Africa.

The three came together and participated in last year’s event, thoroughly enjoying every day of it.

‘I loved cycling through the park and seeing all the animals along the way,’ said Ndwandwe. ‘I really hope we can do the same this year.’

The development team aside, Ndwandwe hops on his bike at every opportunity, making the most of the many cycling trails around St Lucia.

When he returns home to Somkhele, he undertakes the 50km journey by bike – and loves every minute of it.

The cycling event aims to encourage cyclists to persevere in mountain biking, especially youngsters looking to get into this form of cycling for the future. Although this year’s development team is not yet confirmed, Andrew Zaloumis, CEO of iSimangaliso Wetland Park, said, ‘It is hoped this year’s iSimangaliso MTB 4-day event will include a development team with riders from around Mozambique, South Africa and Swaziland game reserves.’

After its inaugural event in 2013, the MTB 4-day has grown in popularity, with team places for this year’s event almost fully booked.