Monika Grossmann’s Epic 20-Year Desert Dash Journey

When 33-year-old Monika Grossmann first received an email from Aiden de Lange, one of the originators of the Desert Dash in 2005, inviting her to participate in a 24-hour mountain bike race from Windhoek to Swakopmund, she simply thought it sounded like a cool idea. Now, on Friday, 6 December 2024, Grossmann is set to become the only person to have successfully participated in all 20 editions of the Nedbank Desert Dash.

Raised in Windhoek, Grossmann grew up cycling on her family’s farm but drifted away from the sport as she got older. However, after her husband, Kai, gifted her a bicycle one Christmas, her passion for cycling reignited. The couple began participating in local races, building up from short distances to longer and more challenging routes with the help of cycling friends.

Grossmann’s first Desert Dash was in a four-person team with her husband and friends, Hans Kolberg and Org van Rensburg. Cycling the third leg, she covered a stretch of 340 km in 19 hours and 4 minutes. The challenge, especially cycling at night with only a dim light and the full moon to guide her, left her feeling lonely in the desert. "What am I doing here? Why am I doing this to myself?" she remembers thinking. Yet, as soon as they crossed the finish line, they were already planning to enter the next edition.

Initially, her training involved a couple of short rides during the week and longer weekend rides of 70-80 km on a 26-inch bike. Over the years, she graduated from riding in a four-person team to racing as part of a two-person team with her husband, finishing in second place in a time of 16 hours and 1 minute. With each edition, as the route evolved, so did her training and her bike, eventually upgrading to her current bright red Scott Spark RC Team.

Reflecting on her journey through 19 races, Grossmann recalls facing various trials, from harsh desert winds to nights spent cycling in thick fog with little visibility. “The Nedbank Namibia Desert Dash is a mind game,” she says. “If you allow yourself to be pulled down by the elements, you may quit—even if your body still has strength left.”

So what drives her to keep coming back? For Grossmann, the Desert Dash has become an annual highlight, a sort of “addiction” to the challenge. “Standing at the start line and feeling the vibe is amazing,” she says. “Crossing the finish line, though—that’s indescribable. It’s worth every drop of sweat, every tear, and all the hours of preparation.”

She encourages others to give it a try, thanking the sponsors, organisers, and supporters for making the event possible. “Don’t try to do it solo at first unless you’re a pro,” she advises newcomers. “It took me 14 years to do my first solo.”

Nedbank Namibia Executive for Retail and Business Banking, JG van Graan, praises Grossmann’s achievement, saying, “The camaraderie, sportsmanship, and overall excitement make the Nedbank Desert Dash one of the most sought-after, bucket-list events on the continent. Monika’s dedication highlights the race’s significance and success.”

The Nedbank Desert Dash, co-sponsored by Hollard, Spar (Maerua and Grove), Paratus, and Indongo Toyota, has grown over the years to become an essential event in Namibia’s sporting calendar. As Grossmann prepares for her 20th race, she stands as a testament to the endurance, resilience, and unyielding spirit that the Desert Dash embodies.