Kilimanjaro 2 Natron is a 5-day mountain bike race held in the scenic and seldom travelled backcountry of northern Tanzania. Cyclists race 4 stages through stunning landscapes and extraordinary wildlife areas, from the slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro to the shores of Lake Natron. The course will be approximately 265 kilometers (160 mi) long and feature over 4100 meters (13500 ft) of vertical ascent. We are extremely proud of the K2N race course, which offers varied terrain, spectacular scenery and wildlife viewing, and the opportunity for racers to experience an incredible new culture.
An important note: K2N is Tanzania in its purest form; undiluted; unaltered; fully and resolutely in your face. Our trails are not groomed, but natural. We have thorns in sizes small, medium, and large. There will be hike-a-bike sections, probably more than you are accustomed to (bring LAST year’s trail shoes, and not in carbon, bro). To ride K2N is to experience northern Tanzania as it is, not as some cyclists wish it were.
The Grumeti Fund K2N offers four stages of varied terrain, amazing scenery, and wildlife viewing. The course is raceable by the experienced, challenging to the adventurer, and rewarding for all.
But would-be racers should know K2N is a true backcountry race adventure. The race takes place on double-track safari roads, fast single track, and technical single track. Racers encounter stones, rocks, sand, thorns, wildlife and more thorns. Our single track is not designed for bicycles; rather, it was constructed by wild animals and pack donkeys, for wild animals and pack donkeys. The northern Tanzania geography, flora and fauna — while spectacular to witness — are also obstacles with which to contend, especially on stage one at 3800 meters (12500 ft). You might fall, you likely will bleed, and you absolutely are going to carry your bike.
We don’t say all of this to scare potential riders away (er, well, perhaps we do). But we also ask that you consider this more than a sorting. We at K2N are issuing a call to challenge and true adventure. And we can’t wait for you to experience it with us.
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