Elephant Epic MTB Challenge, ZAmbia
10 Day Count Down!
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The countdown is on to the Elephant EPIC Challenge, from Lusaka to Lower Zambezi. All the vital information you need should be found below. If you have any further questions, please contact race organiser, Julia on 977720696.
Race REgistration
Race registration will take place on Thursday 22nd June from 07:30 to 15:00hrs in the garden at The Villagers, The Village, Leopards Hill Road, Lusaka (please find Google Map below). Please come to collect your race number and rider pack, EPIC T-shirts and a whole host of rider goody treats with thanks to our generous partners. If you are unable to collect your race pack you can send someone else to collect for you or notify Julia and we can plan accordingly.
Transport
We regret we will be unable to arrange transport for you to get to the start and back from the river.
The Starting Point
The starting line of the Elephant EPIC can be found approximately 24km past the Leopards Hill Boom along the Leopards Hill Road. On the left hand side of the road at the entrance to Hachonda Farm, 690m before the two red oxide towers.
You will not be able to miss the EE branded START sponsored by PRESECURE.
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Plan to arrive early at the START to ensure your bike is in order and you feel ready to go. Please Park in the signposted areas well before the start line.
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Breakfast muffins and bananas will be available for all riders
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Your race Number Board must be secured to the front of your bike
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06:40 - Riders safety brief from an experienced rider and welcome from our CEO Jon Churcher
07:00 - The horn will blow and the race will start
Race Rules
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You must wear a helmet to be part of the Epic
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If you see an accident you are requested to help. The time taken for your support will be deducted from your overall time. So please stop and help. Just keep track of the time you have spent helping another cyclist and inform us at the FINISH line.
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Team event – the first 4 riders of the team must finish the race within 1 minute of each other to qualify.
The Ride
The first 24km of the ride is on tarmac, before you reach the dirt road. Please note that phone signal will likely cut out from 15km into the race and only be picked up in the last 10-15km. However there are pockets of signal up on the Mother.
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We expect the fastest riders will cruise into Kiambi around 09:00/09:30hrs whilst the more social cyclists will enjoy a scenic journey and pull in anywhere between 11:00hrs and 13:00hrs. There is no time limit for finishing, so don’t push yourself – pace it and enjoy it!
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Make use of the generously sponsored water stations enroute to re-energise.
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31km – First National Bank
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40km – Niner Juliet
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55km – armitage consulting
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64km – FIRST QUANTUM MINERALS
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STOP, ENJOY THE VIEW, TAKE A PHOTO! There are some beautiful spots along the route, some sign posted so don’t forget to look up, appreciate it and take a few snaps. There is no rush.
We will place strategic signage along the route to keep you on track and motivated. Signs for the race have been generously supplied by Signs of the Times but we would encourage you where possible to use a GPS. The GPS Route is linked below, but we will share this and the Google Map route via WhatsApp. The majority of the route is one main jeep track; there is some windy single track towards the end.
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The end section of the route takes a right turn shortly after the base of the Mother. This is a fairly straightforward track up to Water station 3 (55km). Thereafter you will need to follow GPS and/ the sign posts as you enter the next 10km of twisting and turning single track up to the entrance to Kiambi. This route aims to keep you off the main roads and avoid sand and corrugations as much as possible (although there is some sand as your near the finish). We have chosen to reutilize this route as its been recommended by riders as the most enjoyable route yet.
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Please note that during the last section of the ride you will be going through communities and will likely see many children. Our team will be working with the community in preparation to the ride and will do what we can to ensure riders are not hampered as they pass through these areas but we must request that riders PLEASE DO NOT give out sweets/treats to the children which will only reinforce their desire to thereafter hamper riders for more.
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In alignment with the 1Zambia MTB The Elephant Epic will enforce a 5 year EPIC event ban to anyone caught giving treats to the children as they pass through or if they are seen dropping litter.
Photo Competition
We would like to encourage you to take as many photos of the EPIC as you can, we want to see the riders on the trail and images of your individual journeys. There will be a prize for the most EPIC photo of the ride that is posted to our Facebook page by midday 30th June – so get snapping and posting!
Fines and awards
To help us decide who will win this year's Spirit of the EPIC and EPIC Ride awards, please report to the Water Station personnel or race organisers at the FINISH Line with any stories of note, cyclists who have gone above and beyond to help others (Spirit of the EPIC), those who have had a hard time on the route (an EPIC Ride) and those who have blundered and deserve to down a beer/shot. We are relying on your input and stories to make the fines and awards meaningful. These will be given at Prize Giving.​
Health & Safety Notice
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Stay hydrated throughout the ride! (You should be drinking 0.5 to 1L per hour out there – weather dependent)
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Wear sun cream
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There are some steep descents and sandy areas and these should be approached with caution – we will post signage to warn riders and marshals for the most concerning sections
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Mars Ambulance Services Team team of first aid responders will be supporting us throughout the race, with a responder at every water station and a response vehicle at the base of the Mother. But it’s a long drive out and we don't want to see any of you leaving us in an ambulance so please ride carefully and safely. Especially on the downhills.
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The Water Stations without mobile phone signal will have a Satellite phone and/or Radio for emergencies
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Be aware that snakes are around this time of year. If you see one, give it space, in the unlikely event you are bitten remain where you are and stay calm
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A sweeper vehicle will be moving along at the back of the herd to assist riders where necessary, to ensure no one is left behind and to shout moral support! All water stations will have vehicles based there and can be deployed to support riders along the route as needed
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There will be basic first aid supplies at all water stations and sweeper vehicles
The Bell Equipment finish line!
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Arrive at Kiambi Lodge to be cheered in by a few fellow riders, music and MC, an ice cold Castle Lite with thanks to Zambian Breweries and Coca Cola Beverages Zambia.
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The Burger Bar will be open from 09:00 to 14:00 to provide you with complimentary lunch (inc. veggie burgers). Kiambi Lodge restaurant will also remain open throughout the weekend for guests staying on the premises.
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Please make the most of the Mars Ambulance Service first aid tent for any post-race bumps, bruises or rehydration needs.
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Prize Giving, Awards and Fines will all be held at 13:30 at Kiambi hosted by our CEO Jon Churcher and James Amoore.
