Eastleigh motorcyclist takes on Lesotho for Roof of Africa race
“I had a great ride. The weather was good and the people I rode with were good company.”
Eastleigh resident and motorcyclist Tom Classen recently went to Lesotho to compete in the Roof of Africa enduro race.
Hosted from November 28 to 30, Classen competed in the bronze class against 400 other motorcyclists, finishing 24th.
Established in 1967, the Roof of Africa takes riders through the Maluti Mountains.
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“I had a great ride, and the weather was good. The people I rode with were good company,” said Classen.
He last competed in the event two years ago in the iron class, which he won.
This year, Classen rode in the UP4 construction and Classen Plumbing team.
Its members included Classen, Uli Pop, Tony Silva and Lesotho riders Katleho Tlhaole and Hlaoli Lesekele.
“This year, I decided to up the pace and do the bronze class, the most popular class by far.”
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Classen said the route for the bronze course is meant to be reminiscent of the original Roof of Africa. He said the silver and gold classes are better suited for riders who enjoy extremely hard enduro and technical rides.
“On the bronze route, we did some sections of the silver route, which were quite technical,” said Classen.
“For the average weekend rider, which makes up the bulk of the sport, routes need to be ridable and allow competitors to take in the Lesotho scenery and what the country has to offer. The country has so many riding opportunities on the cattle trails and the footpaths.”
Speaking about some of his highlights, Classen said the area he rode in was beautiful, and the weather was perfect.
“The Lesotho people call us the ‘bringers of rain’ because often when the Roof of Africa is held, it rains.
Fortunately, we didn’t bring too much rain for ourselves because the technical sections become much harder when wet.
Speaking about his preparation for this year’s race, Classen said training started early in the year.
“I’ve been to Lesotho every month to train. Besides that, I gym three times a week, ride every weekend and do technical courses to prepare myself.”
Besides completing 12 Roofs, Classen has completed two Dakar Rallys through the Sahara and received his national colours for off-road in 2004 after he won his class at the Kenyan Enduro and two individual championships before that.
He previously told the News that his interest in the sport ignited when he picked up an edition of Simon Fourie’s Bike SA and read an article about the race.
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After this, Classen bought his first motorcycle in 1990 and competed in the Kwa-Zulu Natal championships.
He entered his first Roof in 1992.
“Back then, quadbikes and cars raced alongside motorcycles, so the race was a lot longer, almost 500km per day, in addition to the time trial. Many of the sections we did were on dirt roads and the same ones the cars could do.
“What would happen is there would be detours for the motorcyclists taking them through passes, such as Baboon and Blackneck pass, which the cars couldn’t do, and once completed, we would meet up with our four-wheel competitors.
Classen said with the Roof now only accommodating motorcycles, the routes are much shorter, and the race transitioned from off-road to hard enduro.
Looking to the year ahead, Classen is considering the 2025 Roof of Africa and the Sea to Sky in Turkey.
