Nestled in the majestic Maloti Mountains in the middle of South Africa, lies the high altitude, breathtaking and landlocked Kingdom of Lesotho.
Velosolutions built Pump for Peace first pump track in the country at the Roma Trading Post. Although still mostly rural, Roma is Lesotho’s university town and home to over 15 primary and high schools while being just 40km from the capital city, Maseru.
Now almost two years since its completion, the pump track has become the base for successful self-sustaining community development, boasting, a locally run bike shop, events, the training of athletes and bike rentals to kids in the area.
Velosolutions & Lesotho Sky
Velosolutions partnered with Lesotho Sky in this exciting venture, who in turn partnered with the Mikes Bikes Africa Foundation to deliver affordable bikes to the new track in Lesotho. There is a “free-to-use” fleet of mountain bikes and BMX bikes for anyone who cannot afford to own a bike, signalling the start of a true community development project for the area. Always all inclusive, everybody in the community is able to trade skills or labour such as bicycle repairs or track cleaning – for the use of a bike, gaining valuable work experience and knowledge in the process.
Lesotho Sky trained and educated the bike shop employees on bike repairs. Thanks to that, they can maintain the rental bikes and also help the locals. “It is important that an initiative like this is self-sustaining,” says Darol Howes & Christian Schmidt from Lesotho Sky. “Having the support from foreign countries to build infrastructure and to educate and train people is much needed and appreciated. Afterwards, the local economy has to support itself and should not rely on charity. Only this way will it be a sustainable project.”
Tobias Steinigeweg’s mere dream of shooting the now award-winning documentary “Following the Horsemen” with Claudio Caluori and Kevin Landry has led to the construction of the first ever Pump for Peace track. In true African spirit, the opening was celebrated with a show of music in Pump for Peace style. If there are music and wheels, there is definitely, heart.
