2024 CYCLE VILLAGE
Ilala Lodge
This year the Zambezi Cycle Challenge loading zones and bike mechanics will be based at Ilala Lodge.
Neutral Zone, Technical Back up
There will only be a limited mechanical back up team for this event. They will be situated at the Cycle Village and will be there to assist with any mechanical hiccups the riders may experience. They will be charging for their labor, parts and consumables used. Please note that this team will not be offering bike washing as part of their service nor will they be doing routine servicing of bikes – they will be there to assist with serious mechanical faults only. Please bear in mind that there will be a limited stock of spares and the team will do the best they can with what is available.
The Programme Summarised
11th July –The registration desk will be open at The Cycle Village at Ilala Lodge from 12.00hrs to 17.00hrs The welcome, safety and race briefing will be done at the 3 Monkeys Restaurant at 18.00hrs. It is compulsory for all participants to attend this briefing. Please have your bikes on site to be loaded by 16.00 for the start the following day if you want your bike transported to the start.
Dinner will be provided at the 3 Monkeys after the briefing and drinks will be available at your own expense.
12th July Day 1 Chidobe ~50kms: 2kms down Chidobe Road
Bikes will be loaded the night before and entrants will depart from Ilala Lodge at 6 am. The road transfer will take approximately 25 minutes along down the road towards Hwange.
The route starts on a gravel road and after 5 kms will enter a double track for approximately 10 kms. Thereafter you will enjoy elephant trails that will take you to Elephant Pools and then onto a combination of single and double track home. Most of this day you will be riding through big game areas some community areas. You will eventually come through the Wild Horizons Wildlife Sanctuary, past Vic Falls Hotel and end at Ilala Lodge. Enjoy the natural surroundings and keep a respectable distance should you came across any wildlife. We will deploy safety marshals through the areas where you are most likely to encounter wildlife, but you need to be vigilant throughout this day’s ride.
Lunch is included. ( drinks at own expense)
Free afternoon at Leisure.
Make sure your bikes are delivered to the Cycle Village by 16.00hrs for loading if you do not have your own transport to get to the starting point for Day 2.
13th July Day 2 Monde ~50kms: Starts 4kms Down Gorges Road
Bikes will be loaded the night before and entrants will depart from Ilala Lodge at 6.00 am to start of ride on Gorges Road (20 minutes down the road towards Hwange).
This day will start on the tar to separate the riders a bit and then wind its way through a scenic valley and take you through many authentic village scenes. Some technical riding but generally short hills and sharp descents. Some wonderful fast and winding sections on cattle paths through some woodland will eventually take you back through a new section through the Wild Horizons Sanctuary and back to the finish at the very scenic Lookout Cafe.
Lunch is included ( drinks at own expense)
Free afternoon at your own leisure.
Make sure your bikes are delivered to the Cycle Village by 16.00hrs for loading if you do not have your own transport to get to the starting point for Day 3.
14th July Day 3 Batoka Gorge, Riding on the Edge
The buses will leave the Cycle Village at 6 am and transfer you to today’s start, approximately 30kms downstream from the Victoria Falls themselves. It’s just about all single track and the most technically challenging day of the event. The start has a 3 km stretch on gravel before entering a gentle single track through the rural villages.
It’s just about all single track and the most technically challenging day of the event. The start has a 3 km stretch on gravel before entering a gentle single track through the rural villages.
You will then enter the Wild Horizons Wildlife Sanctuary and enjoy a long single track that has been referred to as a mountain bikers dream! Fast, technical and exciting through wildlife areas interspersed regularly with breath taking views of the Zambezi river way below. Please stop and enjoy the view, there will be a section that is a compulsory walk for safety purposes. As you approach the end of the ride, you will be greeted by the thunder and spray of the Victoria Falls before the final stretch to the finish at Ilala.
This afternoon is spent relaxing and soothing tired muscles before meeting at 3.30pm for transportation to the sundowner cruise. The cruise takes place on the river above the falls
and lasts until just after sunset. The cruise drops us off at the gala dinner venue on the banks of the Zambezi where we will enjoy prize giving, dinner and drinks.
You will be responsible for making sure your bikes are safely put away once the race is completed.