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AXEL THEISSEN
Cycling means meeting like-minded people who combine a healthy lifestyle with an enjoyment of the outdoors. As the son of Namibia’s cycling pioneer Claus Theissen, it is no surprise that Axel was involved in cycling from a very young age. Claus started the first road-cycling club in Namibia called Windhoek Pedal Power, which still exists today. Sunday mornings were reserved for fun rides. According to an ancient law, bicycle owners were obliged to emboss a number on their bicycle frames that served the same purpose as a number plate on motorcars. When bicycles stopped having such numbers due to the impossibility of punching them into modern chromolite or carbon frames, they were fined by the police during one of their excursions. For approximately five years Axel served on the Rock & Rut committee, the oldest mountain-biking club in Windhoek that was started in the early 90s. This club still organises races and continues to be popular especially because it caters for the entire family. Namibia is unique in the sense that you can effortlessly get out into nature and onto single tracks for proper mountain-biking. Another great plus is our weather that permits almost 365 days of cycling per year. Axel participated in the solo Dash in 2016, which he describes as a hectic ride due to the elements, but he nonetheless completed the race in 19 hours. Proper nutrition is key, as well as physical and mental preparation.
Previously he exchanged sand for snow by participating in the first-ever Snow Epic held in Engelberg, Switzerland, in 2015. Kitted out in multiple layers of clothing and braving sub-zero conditions, he had to learn about temperature control and cycling on snow. For him the six-day Namib Quest is the most extraordinary race. During such a race, he and his partner encountered a herd of wildebeest when coming around a bend. He still remembers the flash of uncertainty in his partner’s eyes, wondering whether they should accelerate so they wouldn’t fall behind in the race or hit the brakes full-on and wait for the herd to cross the road.
TOP 10 RACES AND EVENTS IN NAMIBIA: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.
Nedbank Cycle Challenge in February Klein-Aus Vista MTB Challenge in May Windhoek Light Namib Quest in May Kuiseb Classic MTB in May RMB Namibia Ride for Rhinos in June Otjihavera Xperience in August Desert Knights Cycle Challenge in September 8. Namibian Pick & Pay Cycle Classic in October 9. Cycletec Spring Festival in November 10. Nedbank Desert Dash in December GET 'KITTED OUT' FOR YOUR NEXT MTB ADVENTURE AT CYMOT: www.cymot.com
TRAVEL NEWS NAMIBIA WINTER 2017
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