Mountain biking on the edge at Klein-Aus Vista

Participants gave it all they’d got at the 4th Klein-Aus Vista MTB Challenge which was held in the

The terrain of the mountain bike track through the Aus Mountains is so demanding that bikers barely had time to marvel at the glorious landscape. With the mercury rising to 32 degrees centigrade the four water and control posts were well-frequented.

“A total of 124 mountain bikers entered the two-day challenge through the Aus Mountains in Gondwana Sperrgebiet Rand Park. 34 out of 60 bikers finished the 70 km marathon while 47 out of 66 participants completed the half marathon”, said Piet Swiegers, the manager of the Klein-Aus Vista Lodge (a member of the Gondwana Collection Namibia), who hosted the mountain bike challenge with his wife Christine. 

Swiegers thanked all the sponsors – the main ones being Standard Bank Namibia, Kia Motors Namibia, Maerua SuperSpar and the Gondwana Collection - and also extended an invitation to join the next Klein-Aus Vista MTB Challenge which will be held on May 2nd and 3rd in 2015.

Naturally the scenic beauty of Klein-Aus Vista can be explored by mountain bike at any time other than the weekend of the race as well. There is a choice of three routes: two long ones (30 to 40 km) and a short one (about 5 km). The longer trails are a real challenge, as they mostly consist of narrow single track paths through the scenery of bush and rocks. Guests need to bring their own mountain bikes.

For those who prefer to explore the fauna and flora of the Succulent Karoo on foot there are six different trails to choose from. They are well marked and take hikers through the wildly romantic scenery of the Aus Mountains.

Klein-Aus Vista also offers guided drives through Gondwana Sperrgebiet Rand Park for guests to familiarise themselves with the fascinating plant and animal world of the Succulent Karoo.

Results of the Klein-Aus Vista Mountainbike Challenge:

Elite Men 70 km:
1.    Tristan De Lange  (6:30:37)
2.    Martin Freyer  (6:34:07)
3.    Herbert Peters  (7:31:14) Elite Ladies 70 km:
1.    Irene Steyn  (8:53:32)
2.    Michelle Voster  (9:19:43)
3.    Maike Bochert  (11:33:23)

Master Men 70 km:
1.    Piet Swiegers  (7:29:17)
2.    Fanie Steenkamp  (8:03:37)
3.    Hans Du Toit  (8:04:25)

Master Women 70 km:
1.    Le-Anne Palmert  (9:49:59)
2.    Caroline Janik  (12:07:38)
3.    Anneke Steenkamp  (12:11:33)

Elite Men 35 km:
1.    Johann Wasserfall  (4:24:29)
2.    Immanual Mwatwoshive  (4:29:09)
3.    Eckhard Straemke  (4:40:19)

Elite Ladies 35 km:
1.    Anke Janik  (5:46:25)
2.    Maryne Blignaut  (7:08:22)

Master Men 35 km:
1.    Frank Snyman  (4:08:42)
2.    Walter Hailwax     (4:31:16)
3.    Andre Delport  (4:49:47)

Master Women 35 km:
1.    Aletti Lowe  (5:05:18)
2.    Andra Van Staden  (5:11:13)
3.    Carin Schrader    (5:12:26)

Junior Men 35 km:   
1.    Francois Smith  (4:40:57)

Marathon Overall:
1.    Tristan De Lange  (6:30:37)
2.    Martin Freyer  (6:34:07)
3.    Piet Swiegers  (7:29:17)

Half Marathon Overall:
1.    Frank Snyman  (4:08:42)
2.    Johann Wasserfall  (4:24:29)
3.    Immanual Mwatwoshive  (4:29:09)
Gondwana Sperrgebiet Rand Park during the weekend of May 2nd and 3rd. In the men’s top category (Elite) 16-year-old Tristan de Lange successfully defended the marathon title which he won the previous year. Martin Freyer came second. Irene Steyn was the unrivalled winner of the women’s 70-km-event.