WILD
Spectacular riding without the Hardcore!
Wild, noun, a remote area; adj., natural and unrestrained in a surprising or exciting way
Day 1 - The Wild Ride: A challenging but enjoyable trek across the beautiful Borana Conservancy, with a high chance of encounters with wildlife.
Day 2 - The Classic: Wild competitors follow the Classic route from high in the mountain at Kisima, down through forest and across plains, and back to the finish line at Borana Race Village.
The Wild is for those riders who want a two-day challenge but aren't fit enough (or crazy enough?!) to go for the Extreme.
Don't just take our word for it ...
The Wild is best described by myself as “Mountain Goat Day.” (not as brutal at the Extreme!). Starting from Borana Village, it begins with an immediate gradual ascent up the Borana Hills. The sunrise views of Mount Kenya from the hilltops are staggering and provide a welcome distraction from the early leg burn.
After a moderate descent, riders tackle a series of rolling climbs across Borana Conservancy. Wildlife encounters add to the uniqueness of this stage—in my first Wild, I spotted a rhino approximately 300 metres from the course, closely monitored by rangers ensuring rider safety.
Around kilometre 35, the defining challenge of the Wild begins: a gruelling 10+ kilometre ascent where “the goat truly meets the mountain.” Sections become technical with loose rock requiring careful line choice. By this point, the midday heat can be intense, and with fewer water points than Day 2, hydration planning becomes critical. Lets hope for a water point at the top of this climb in 2026.
Energy conservation is essential because the Classic follows the next morning. Riders should ensure adequate hydration, nutrition, and basic mechanical preparedness—especially carrying puncture repair kits if riding without tubeless protection and chain links for snapped chains (I see this often).
Overall, the 10to4 offers one of the most unique and varied mountain bike race experiences in the region—challenging terrain, spectacular scenery, wildlife encounters, and a strong sense of adventure across both the Wild and the Classic stages.
Wild competitor