Team Indongo Toyota kitted to conquer
Efforts are redoubled as the Desert Dash looms.
The Nedbank Desert Dash has the reputation for being one of the world's most awe-inspiring rides. While that may be true, it's also infamous for being one of the world's longest and most challenging 24-hour endurance cycling races known to man. In fact, at 369 km, it's the longest single-stage solo 24-hour endurance race mountain-biking event in the world.
It all started out as a fun trip, when founder Aidan Delange and some friends decided to have a social cycle from Windhoek to Swakopmund. Now, they took it easy and camped along the way, but on their way back the idea of a gnarly 24-hour endurance race was born.
After gaining a cult-following and solidifying its name as yet another hallmark in Namibia's hard-as-nails national indentity, the Nedbank Desert Dash went on to become an coveted notch on the handlebars of mountain-biking enthusiasts, the world over.
In recent years, the number of applications from solo cyclists increased so dramatically, that they had to be capped to 100, and even this year, the online booking war was so intense, that it sold out in just 38 seconds!
Republikein recently caught up with the teams from Indongo Toyota, when they officially received their sponsorship for this year's event.
Key Sponsor
“Indongo Toyota is once again a key sponsor for the Nedbank Desert Dash 2017,” said Derick Bester, group business vevelopment manager.
“There are 2 Indongo Toyota Teams that entered this year and Indongo Toyota is sponsoring various vehicles and financial back up for riders and organizers for the Nedbank Desert Dash to ensure that we do our part to make this extra-special yearly sporting event, a success,” he added.
In addition to the material and logistical support Indongo Toyota will be assisting them with, they have also sweetend the deal by pledging to sponsor a brand new Toyota Aygo to one of the competitors from their team as a reward.
“Indongo Toyota will also sponsor a new Toyota vehicle to one rider as a grand prize through a lucky draw. This is show them show how proud we are to be associated with our team of incredible athletes who take part in this prestigous,” he added.
The teams are made up of Michelle Döhman, Frans-Antonie Gerber, Andre de Klerk, Eddie Viljoen, Ettienne Döhman and Janine de Klerk, who are all returning riders, bar de Klerk.
“It's really a privilege to have the backing of such a prestigious organisation. The Indongo Group and Indongo Toyota in particular are hugely respected companies and to have the opportunity to represent them at an event of the scale, is an honour and helps to keep us motivated when the riding gets rough and lonely out there,” said Andre de Klerk, whose taking on the Dash solo again this year, adding that thanks to consistent training throughout the year and a few other long-course events, the team feels confident that they are adequately prepared, both mentally and physically.
Two wheels and one light in the twilight
When asked what the most memorable thing of the Dash was, they all agreed that while the camaraderie throughout the event is amazing and that your first Windhoek Draught when you finally reach the finish is the sweetest one you'll ever taste in your life, it's the ride through the night is really stays with you.
“It's the most incredible experience riding at night. The sky is huge and spectacularly bright with stars,” Michelle Döhman, a returning member of Team Indongo Toyota.
“And except for the sound of your wheels on the ground, there's an absolute silence and riding through the pitch dark, it really is something that's too special to describe,” she added.
“Special” is one way to describe this epic exhibition of human spirit, mental toughness and physical performance that the Nedbank Desert Dash has become known for, but one thing is for sure, in 35 days, teams will have to back up their words on their bikes. Thankfully Indongo Toyota vehicles will be right there to support the participants on this epic edition of the one of the most gruelling 24-hours races in existence when it kicks off on 8 December 2017.
It all started out as a fun trip, when founder Aidan Delange and some friends decided to have a social cycle from Windhoek to Swakopmund. Now, they took it easy and camped along the way, but on their way back the idea of a gnarly 24-hour endurance race was born.
After gaining a cult-following and solidifying its name as yet another hallmark in Namibia's hard-as-nails national indentity, the Nedbank Desert Dash went on to become an coveted notch on the handlebars of mountain-biking enthusiasts, the world over.
In recent years, the number of applications from solo cyclists increased so dramatically, that they had to be capped to 100, and even this year, the online booking war was so intense, that it sold out in just 38 seconds!
Republikein recently caught up with the teams from Indongo Toyota, when they officially received their sponsorship for this year's event.
Key Sponsor
“Indongo Toyota is once again a key sponsor for the Nedbank Desert Dash 2017,” said Derick Bester, group business vevelopment manager.
“There are 2 Indongo Toyota Teams that entered this year and Indongo Toyota is sponsoring various vehicles and financial back up for riders and organizers for the Nedbank Desert Dash to ensure that we do our part to make this extra-special yearly sporting event, a success,” he added.
In addition to the material and logistical support Indongo Toyota will be assisting them with, they have also sweetend the deal by pledging to sponsor a brand new Toyota Aygo to one of the competitors from their team as a reward.
“Indongo Toyota will also sponsor a new Toyota vehicle to one rider as a grand prize through a lucky draw. This is show them show how proud we are to be associated with our team of incredible athletes who take part in this prestigous,” he added.
The teams are made up of Michelle Döhman, Frans-Antonie Gerber, Andre de Klerk, Eddie Viljoen, Ettienne Döhman and Janine de Klerk, who are all returning riders, bar de Klerk.
“It's really a privilege to have the backing of such a prestigious organisation. The Indongo Group and Indongo Toyota in particular are hugely respected companies and to have the opportunity to represent them at an event of the scale, is an honour and helps to keep us motivated when the riding gets rough and lonely out there,” said Andre de Klerk, whose taking on the Dash solo again this year, adding that thanks to consistent training throughout the year and a few other long-course events, the team feels confident that they are adequately prepared, both mentally and physically.
Two wheels and one light in the twilight
When asked what the most memorable thing of the Dash was, they all agreed that while the camaraderie throughout the event is amazing and that your first Windhoek Draught when you finally reach the finish is the sweetest one you'll ever taste in your life, it's the ride through the night is really stays with you.
“It's the most incredible experience riding at night. The sky is huge and spectacularly bright with stars,” Michelle Döhman, a returning member of Team Indongo Toyota.
“And except for the sound of your wheels on the ground, there's an absolute silence and riding through the pitch dark, it really is something that's too special to describe,” she added.
“Special” is one way to describe this epic exhibition of human spirit, mental toughness and physical performance that the Nedbank Desert Dash has become known for, but one thing is for sure, in 35 days, teams will have to back up their words on their bikes. Thankfully Indongo Toyota vehicles will be right there to support the participants on this epic edition of the one of the most gruelling 24-hours races in existence when it kicks off on 8 December 2017.
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