Bikers converge in Victoria Falls

THE Zimfreeriders Motor Cycle Club is set to hold its Victoria Falls Motor Bike Rally starting today and finishing on Sunday.

Dubbed The Brave Hearts, this ride will be the longest inland ride to be undertaken by any biking club and the bikers are setting off at Longcheng Plaza in Harare this morning.

Club secretary-general Mudiwa Musemhu (pictured) said this rally aimed to open up biking to the general public.

"Biking has been regarded as the sport of the elite. It was not open to the public and this has become part of the fundamental goals of Zimfreeriders to bring biking to the communities and we have achieved this," he said.

"We are having bikers riding from Harare to Victoria Falls, which is about 800km to 1 000km. We have also got some bikers riding from Mutare, which is over 1 000km. Basically, that's why we are saying this is a run for those brave at heart.

"The idea of having Victoria Falls as our destination is to encourage domestic tourism as the biking sport attracts a lot of attention. So we want to use that goodwill to market our own domestic tourism."

He added: "Also, such runs are associated with charity and everytime we go there we always donate. So this is also a charity run. Thirty-five bikers from Harare, three from Mutare and 10 from Bulawayo have so far confirmed their availability for this ride."

The bikers will have their first stop in Kadoma, before progressing to Gweru, where they will have lunch.

The third stop will be Bulawayo, where they will sleep over before they proceed to Lupane, where they will make another stop.

Hwange will be the fifth stop before making their final destination in Victoria Falls.

The club usually hosts two flagship events every year, the Victoria Falls and Kariba runs, where motorcyclists ride showcasing their special skills with funds raised channelled towards charity.