The arrival of riders for the 2021 RMB Ride for Rhinos coincided with World Rhino Day on Wednesday 22 September. While the theme for this year’s World Rhino Day is Five Rhino Species Forever, the yearly RMB Ride for Rhinos is an event that is intended to create awareness for the plight of one rhino species in particular – the black rhino.

The last free-roaming population of black rhino is found in Namibia. To achieve this feat, tremendous efforts went into saving and protecting what was left of a decimated population in Namibia’s northwest during the late 1980s. Thanks to the tireless work of the Save the Rhino Trust, and later through the conservation efforts of conservancies and other organisations, the black rhino population in this area could grow to what it is today. In recent years, however, illegal trade in rhino horn has once again called for extraordinary endeavours to protect this valuable species for future generations.

This year marked the 7th RMB Ride for Rhinos. It took place in the Palmwag Concession with Wilderness Safaris Desert Rhino Camp as the base camp treating riders to its luxurious lodging facilities. As always, this exclusive event is limited to a small group made up of cycling enthusiasts who are up for the challenge of riding in the extremely tough and rocky terrain of Damaraland. The three routes of the three-day event consisted of everything from bumpy jeep and game tracks to some riverbeds and even a King of the Hill section to test the already tired legs of the participants.

The first day was undoubtedly the most challenging due to a combination of the September Damaraland heat and a tough rocky route of over 35 km that traverses several hills and valleys. With energy restored after a delicious lunch and ice- cold drinks under shady trees, riders were revived enough to go on a game drive. Thanks to Save the Rhino Trust trackers the group were fortunate enough to spot three black rhinos. A fantastic reward after the morning’s strenuous cycling.

Over the next two days, temperatures were more forgiving and guide extraordinaire, Johan Fourie, went easier on the riders with slightly less technical and tough routes.

Taking place in a protected area, wildlife sightings of springbok, ostrich, gemsbok and giraffe are part and parcel of the ride. Over the last seven years some riders have been lucky enough to see elephants and lions and, of course most importantly, black rhinos.

On the last evening, riders were treated to an informative presentation on brown hyenas by Emsie Verwey of the Skeleton Coast Brown Hyaena Project. As is tradition, the tour was wrapped up with a lamb spit made by braai master Gerhard Thirion and sharing stories next to the campfire among friends new and old until late into the night.

This year’s event was made special by having Maruen Kleopas and Tuhafeni Hamundjebo along, thanks to CYMOT generously sponsoring their participation fees. The two youngsters are part of the Development Riders Programme jointly sponsored by CYMOT and RMB, and they are seen as exciting prospects for Namibian cycling in years to come.

The 2021 RMB Ride for Rhinos took place from 22 to 26 September. Ride for Rhinos is an initiative by Venture Media in partnership with RMB, Wilderness Safaris and CYMOT. Funds raised through the ride are invested into various black rhino conservation projects in north-western Namibia. TNN