The Maletsunyane Falls is a 192-metre-high waterfall in Lesotho. The fall of the water from the Maletsunyane River crashes in a puff of smoke down into the majestic gorge. No wonder the name of the nearby town, Semonkong literally means “place of smoke”. The gorge is also home to the longest commercially operated single-drop abseil in the world, operated by our good friends at the Semonkong Lodge.
Image source: www.semonkonglodge.com
In 2015 we had to scramble leading up to the race to find a venue for the prologue. Semonkong came to our rescue and helped us host the most amazing prologue ever. It was almost by accident that we stumbled upon Africa’s hidden gift to the world of mountain biking. Up until the last hours we were unsure if it will be safe to have the finish line right on the edge of the gorge. Darol persisted and the end result was spectacular to say the least.
Since the, we have had enough time to explore the routes around the valley properly. What we have found will become, without a doubt, the most talked about and sought after piece of singletrack in the whole of Southern Africa. After riding it for the first time, we were at a loss for words, eventually naming it: The Wild Goose. We probably should have called it: “The final proof that God is a mountain biker”. It’s so good that even after 6 days of grueling time on the saddle, most riders will want to turn around and ride it again.
Christian could keep the smile off his face during the 2015 Prologue at Semonkong.
Probably the most spectacular finish line of all the calendar MTB races in Southern Africa.
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