The Grumeti Fund K2N stage race presented by Specialized Bicycles sees riders cycle from the slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro to the shores of Lake Natron, through the rugged backcountry of northern Tanzania.
The course boasts a diversity of landscapes, wildlife viewing, and a chance for cyclists to encounter the culture and hospitality of the Maasai and Chagga people.
The mountain bike race also contributes to the lives of local farmers. What began as a fundraising campaign by event organiser Red Knot to boost conservation agriculture education for local tribes, now supports food security.
“As mountain bikers we’ve got an opportunity to play a very important role in using our passion for a greater good,” explained Fanie Kok of Specialized Bicycles. The company’s Soil Searching initiative has partnered with Red Knot and the Grumeti Fund K2N stage race to elevate the efforts in Tanzania.
Investing in soil is something cyclists have in common with farmers. Soil Searching is a Specialized Bicycles program to recognize, celebrate, and support the trail builders who help shape off-road sport.
“It’s a powerful and unique occasion when our passions intersect with a greater purpose,” said Brett Harrison, Red Knot owner and K2N founder.
“K2N is more than a world-class mountain bike race; it’s an opportunity for us as cyclists to shoulder the responsibility of caring for both our neighbours and the planet we share.”
The 2022 event will take place on May 31st to June 3rd. 50% of K2N race profits go directly to community development.
As part of the initiative Red Knot is raffling a Specialized Turbo Levo SL Comp Carbon. 100% of donations go directly to community development work in Tanzania.
Half of each raffle ticket will provide agriculture and health training to rural farmers along the K2N race course, and the other half will be used to build MTB trails on the western side of Kilimanjaro in order to fund mountain, forest, and wildlife conservation efforts.
The event organiser notes that a single US$10 raffle ticket provides a half-day of community training to one Tanzanian farmer and builds 5m of MTB trail.
Tickets can be purchased from anywhere in the world. The drawing will be on June 8th – with the winner announced that day. Shipping costs are covered.
www.redknotracing.com/turbo-levo-raffle
