One of the worlds most iconic events, Lesotho’s The Roof of Africa kicks off in just a few short months in Maseru. Since 1967, the worlds oldest hard enduro has opened its arms to competitors from all around the world…
Last month, we caught up with Route director Graham MacLlachlan for a good chinwag about this years event.
Plans for The Roof Of Africa 2026 are already afoot, routes are already being scouted, the guys look as though they are on point…
Last year, the team did a great job, it was all pretty much butter smooth and certainly a great event to spectate with very positive feedback from the competitors both in terms of the execution of the event and the routes that were laid out.
From the start at Avani Maseru to the end at Music Box, The Roof Of Africa was a fun time for all.
Check in and scrutineering all happens at Avani Maseru, Lesotho’s Roof Of Africa home on the 23rd of September.
It’s always festive with vendors, bikes, bikes, smiles, the smell of two-stroke, bikes, old friends hooking up again and bikes.
Lots of bikes.
In Macs words:
“You must get training – it’s going to be hard! I think this year we are going to up the bar. This needs to be value for money. Learn how to use your GPS, it’s critical. We will mark certain spots, but GPS is your friend.”
On the 24th, The Roof Of Africa heads out into the mountains for the time trial.
Sadly, the Round the Houses tradition has come to a close as Maseru has expanded. The logistics involved in closing the streets of a city down for a dirtbike motorcycle race are just too great now. Maseru is not the sleepy town that it once was when we used to race from Lancers gap…
Time trial is a short, sharp loop, a timed wake up shake up to determine the starting orders for the racing.
As things stand, time trial is from Thaba Bosio to Music Box for Iron, Bronze and Silver.
The Gold loop is at Music Box.
Racing starts on the 25th…
The route markers already have their KTM’s on the ground. Some Roof Of Africa routes are already sorted.
On Friday, riders will be dicing from Music Box to Bushmans. Chaps and chops, the views and spectator points at these two venues are spectacular… We are looking very forward to it all!
Saturday: Music Box to Music Box with lots in between. We see that the Trading post in Ramabanta has been included for 2026 – motorbike peeps and a really cool spot.
Weather on the 25th of September might be a factor.
We’ve had snow in November but the possibility of snow in September is higher, so that always adds a new twist for competitors and spectators alike. The up side is that chances of the rivers being flooded are minimal and the weather is cool…
At The Roof Of Africa, you never know, the weather is always in charge.
For many years, The Roof was known as The Rainmaker. With the date change, will that be so for 2026?
Watch this space.
Watch the conversation that we had about this years Roof Of Africa Right here.
We’ll see you in Lesotho!
Come and see some of the worlds best riders in action.
Lesotho is a magic place. It’s a great weekend.
More soon!
