WHO SHOULD CONSIDER THIS TRAIL – If you enjoy fast, natural single track and technical challenges the Lesotho Mega Enduro should be on your bucket list. Experience the Basotho culture and enjoy a weekend of rad riding with friends and like-minded riders. Over four days of riding, riders will be presented with more epic trails than their bodies will allow them to do and to save energy, we will shuttle assist everywhere possible.
Think of Africa’s version of Trans Provence or Andes Pacifico and you’ll have a good idea of what’s in store.
Riders interested in exploring what enduro riding is all about are welcome as there is no pressure and experienced riders are more than willing to share their knowledge of enduro riding these raw, natural trails. It’s a great environment for riders interested in learning the ins and outs of this fast growing sector of mountain biking.
DETAILS OF THE TYPICAL OR STANDARD LESOTHO MEGA ENDURO
| START/FINISH | El Paso Guest House, Mokhotlong (Pick up from Sani Lodge Backpackers & KSI) |
| HOW TO BOOK | Email: info@detourtrails.co.za or go straight for the booking form at the end of the e-brochure |
| DATES | TBA Between August & October 2023 |
| WHAT’S IN |
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| WHAT’S OUT |
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Day 1: - Transfer up Sani Pass & Thaba Phafane Runs – LD
The meeting is at Sani Lodge Backpackers at 6h00 to drive up Sani Pass and on to El Paso, the Mega Enduro base in Mokhotlong. After dropping off bags, etc. it’s off to the first of 4 (or 5 runs) in the Molumong and Thaba Phafane area. By the end of the day, riders will have a good idea of what to expect for the next 3 days of awesome Enduro runs.
There will no doubt be much chatter over beers at the base.
TOTAL: Run Distance 24km, Descent 2215m (Ave gradient -9.2%)
Day 2: - Adventure Enduro Day - BLD
This day is a rare opportunity to spend the larger part of the day unsupported by vehicle and to get right into the mountains away from just about everyone.
The three main runs are linked together by riding transition stages with unparalleled views of these majestic mountains.
Riders are eventually met for a celebratory beer under the bridge on the Senqu River for a short shuttle ride back to the Mega Enduro base and evening festivities.
TOTAL: Run Distance 20,3km, Descent 1700m (Ave gradient -8.4%)
Day 3: - Thaba Popa Runs - BLD
If riders think it couldn’t get any better, they are in for a surprise as Thaba Popa has some of the finest runs anywhere with some guys even equating them to better than they experienced in Peru! Our favorite is called ‘The Ultimate’ for obvious reasons.
Even though the vehicle shuttles make access to these 4 runs feasible, the effort is needed as there are still a few hills to ride and hike. After this challenging day, it is guaranteed that the riders will be beyond ecstatic with their achievements for the day.
TOTAL: Run Distance 24,2km, Descent 2435m (Ave gradient -10.1%)
Day 4: - ‘The Best for Last’ - B
In order to squeeze the last drop out of the Lesotho Mega Enduro riders will be treated to a brutal hike-a-bike with the reward of the 8km & 900m descent Ultra Ultimate. This run will test the skills of all riders to the full as they plummet down Thaba Popa for the last time.
After packing up and saying goodbye to the Mega Enduro base at El Paso, the party drives to Sani Pass. After a quick visit of Sani Mountain Lodge and Lesotho border formalities riders enjoy the descent of this fabled pass possibly one of the last opportunities to enjoy the rough dirt before it is tarred.
TOTAL: Run Distance 15,9km, Descent 1925 (Ave gradient -12.1%)
Due to the growth of El Paso, we have been able to do away with the complexities and inconvenience of some tenting, so now everyone will be in Twin Rooms sharing – A big up to Tumisang for his efforts in developing El Paso
Therefore there is only one package for this FULLY INCLUSIVE Mega Enduro Tour from the foot of Sani Pass to the return there 4 days later. The cost is R9800 per rider sharing. While not advisable, there is a 35% single supplement as anyone not wishing to share a room blocks at least one other participant.
TRAVEL OPTION
- All participants need to be at Sani Lodge Backpackers bright and early on Thursday morning to load so the convoy can leave in time to ensure the planned runs are done.
- Some riders may find it more convenient to drive on the tar entering Lesotho in the north, eg. Caledonspoort to meet the Mega Enduro crew in Mokhotlong.
- Riders flying into KSI may wish to take the option of a transfer in the Detour Trails rig on Wednesday afternoon and stay at Sani Lodge Backpackers with us. These riders will return to KSI late Sunday afternoon. The cost of this transfer is R900. The cost of staying at Sani Lodge Backpackers is approximately R300 ppn and we will go for beer and dinner at Himeville Arms.
Tour Reviews
Probably the most amazing event in* South Africa. I will be doing this every year it is run! If you like very natural unmanicured trails with breathtaking (for many reasons) scenery then this is for you!
Hey Rohan and team, thanks for a memorable 4 days of riding. This is the real deal; natural trails, brilliant food all in excellent company.
The riding is just out of this world, from viewing the days run from a distance to the 4×4 shuttle as far as it could take us, then the pedal, hike a bike,slog to the crest of the trail start then finally to bulleting down natures carved tracks. It was insane.
Lestho is an amazing place to ride, the memories are etched forever, definetly be back for more.
Howzit Rohan and team,
No more boring 3 day stage events or bike parks for me! Detour Trails has inspired me with raw, un-manicured, multi-line option trails and the challenge to develop my skills & be faster over crazy terrain. What a pleasure to share this incredible event and trail with only 20 riders. Organization, logistics, food, facilities, meeting good people plus the vibe & fun factor, was special. Best money I ever spent, best 3 days of MTB’ing and the sweetest, longest downhill enduro trails I have ever ridden. Highly recommended. I’m in for 2018.
Thanks to all.
Wonderful trip in a beautiful place, and a perfect organisation.
It was a life trip to go there with really quality trails. The stages were technical, long and fast, very different from one day to another. As Lesotho has an endless network of trails, Lesotho Mega Enduro might become the reference of Enduro stage races in the future. I will not hesitate to do it again.
Gravity riding like no other in SA! Detour has put together an amazing set of raw natural runs that are usually pony and goat paths so very exciting to ride. The logistics and support with shuttles up some mountains maximises the down. I think this is World Class and will be back many times over.
Wow! The MEGA was much more than I expected! Raw, natural trails in an amazing setting. Huge mountains in SA were an eye opener. Superb logistics, vehicle shuttles to give us more down runs, great company and a nice small group. Well done Detour Trails.
What a crazy ride! A myriad of raw pony and goat paths to choose from as we plummeted down some incredibly long runs. As I’m not that fit, the vehicle shuttles were a life-saver! Awesome adventure and riding like nowhere else in SA.
By far the best Gravity riding experience in SA! As our group had been to Peru the year before, we were calling the Mega the mini-Peru until we rode the trails. We now compare all riding to the Mega which actually trumps Peru! How you guys found and put these together is amazing. The logistics, shuttling, etc. makes this a must do for all Gravity type riders. And above all the people who ride Gravity make the experience! I’ll be back
I have been fortunate to spend a couple of trips in the Lesotho Highlands both as a tour participant and as a member of the exclusive Detour recce drew. Each and every trip to Lesotho has been a real adventure. Recently being involved in the testing of new runs Detour has found and piecing them together as improvements on the next Mega has been nothing short of awesome! Thank you Detour for your continued passion for exploring and finding these hidden gems.
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