MTB Challenge, Zambia

The MTB Challenge, Zambia is the original fundraising event for GRI's annual Elephant EPIC. This year, the race, which runs from Lusaka to Lower Zambezi is just one event in an EPIC that has become a global challenge!

Be part of the race where it all began!

Race Entry Fees

Juniors GBP £60 | Adults GBP £85

Riders will receive

Membership to the EPIC Rider's WhatsApp Club to provide encouragement, support and MTB knowledge sharing via the Elephant EPIC Facebook Group.
Entry into a lucky draw.
A digital Elephant EPIC Challenge Certificate of participation in recognition of your contribution towards wildlife conservation.
A complimentary digital Elephant EPIC Elephant Adoption! To follow an elephant orphan on their journey of rehabilitation for 1 year.
An Elephant EPIC MTB T Shirt
Access to the EPIC MTB Technical Team to support with all MTB related issues.
Race Number Board.
Rider Goody Pack.
Access to Refreshments and Snacks at Water Stations with support personnel.
Lunch and drink at Finish Line.
Digital Photo Finish images – plus en route images where possible.
First Aid support en route and at the Finish Line.
Opportunity to join in with guided EPIC Warm Up Rides as advertised.

Awards

Fastest - Men's, Women's, Junior and Team
EPIC rider - the rider who has experienced the biggest challenge to complete the event.
Five years in the saddle - all those riders who have completed 5 EPICS.

We will be hosting a prize giving ceremony after the race.

Warm up Rides

A succession of pre-event rides will be advertised in the weeks leading up to the Epic. These will be led by experienced cyclists who can guide a group through suitable tracks around Lusaka. These are a great way to get into the ‘Epic’ spirit and meet like-minded cyclists for enjoyable rides. Look out for notifications by WhatsApp/email /Facebook for dates, times and locations.

N.B. Game Rangers International and the designated ride leader accept no liability for participants during these warm up rides, riders participate at their own risk.

Race Registration and Packs

All entrants will be allocated a race number upon registration and payment. The EPIC team will remain in communication with entrants via email and WhatsApp in the build-up to the race. Race packs, including race numbers, meal and accommodation vouchers, will be available for collection at race registration.

final route and race information

Please find the final route of the EPIC MTB Challenge here!

DOWNLOAD GPX FILE

Water Stations

There will be four water stations located throughout the course. Each will be manned by a friendly and enthusiastic team who will provide pick-me-ups in the form of pumping and motivational tunes, waters, energy drinks and light snacks. Rumour has it there will be cold beers available for social riders.

Safety

There will be a basic first aid kit located at each water station and in each support vehicle, with professional medical support provided by First Aid Zambia throughout the course and stationed at the Finish. Each water station will have a communication system and there will be sweeper/support vehicles moving along with and coming behind the riders to provide support where needed. Please ensure you take your own safety precautions; carry sufficient water and energy snacks on you between race water stations and ensure you wear a helmet – entrants will not be permitted to take part in the event without a helmet.

The Finish - Kiambi Lodge, Lower Zambezi

At the Finish of the race, riders will cycle into Kiambi Lodge grounds to be welcomed by the breathtaking Zambezi River, and there will be refreshments, lunch, first aid, shower facilities and access to the swimming pool to help riders recover from the ride.

For all participants staying over, Kiambi Lodge will be operating river cruises, fishing and game drives throughout. There are many other nearby accommodation options in the Lower Zambezi, and we encourage those not staying at Kiambi to make the most of their time at the River by enjoying a weekend in the Lower Zambezi.

Teams

The Elephant Epic is a mountain bike race for everyone - whilst it covers a distance of 73.5km, which is no short cycle ride, it is an achievable ride for a range of abilities. In 2021 the completion times varied from 2hrs 30mins up to 7hrs. There is no time limit (provided you finish in the daylight) and this journey can be taken as fast and furious or as fun as you like. To this end, we hope to see some more "Team Entries" signing up for 2022. We want to encourage entrants to stay together during the race and give each other the morale boost that is needed to complete this mountain biking challenge. The Epic might be a touch ride, but it can also be a very fun and team-building experience when ridden in a group.

There is a limit of 8 participants per team, but for your team to qualify at the Finish, the following rules apply:

Four members of a team must cross the finish line within 1 minute of each other (to evidence they have ridden together)
The team finish time will be recorded when the 4th team member crosses the finish line

Sponsor a Personalised sign en-route

Is there someone you know who has trained incredibly hard for the Epic, or perhaps overcome a personal challenge to complete it? Maybe you want to make someone laugh or even propose! It’s your chance to have a personal message and/or photo along the course. Make it funny, encouraging or even a surprise. Whatever it might be, for only ZMW1,000 we can make it happen and that’s extra money going to wildlife conservation!

With thanks to our sponsors