The LOOP Safari Gravel Series has planted 10,000 trees since its launch in 2024, strengthening its commitment to environmental conservation and sustainable tourism through cycling.
The milestone was announced on Thursday, October 22, 2026, following the planting of 4,000 trees during the series’ 2026 season, which concluded in Nanyuki on Saturday, October 17.
The season featured four stops in Limuru in March, Naivasha in June, Vipingo in August and Nanyuki in October, bringing together cyclists, spectators and local communities while promoting environmental responsibility.
At the final race, held at Mount Kenya Wildlife Conservancy, LOOP DFS planted 100 indigenous trees as part of efforts to preserve the natural environments of destinations hosting the sporting event.
Jordan Schleck and Mary Aleper emerged as winners of the final race, marking the conclusion of a season that combined competitive cycling with conservation activities.
NCBA Group Director of Marketing, Communication and Citizenship Nelly Wainaina said the initiative demonstrates how sporting events can contribute to environmental protection beyond the competition itself.
“Sport has the power to bring people together around a shared purpose and create a positive impact that extends beyond the finish line,” Wainaina said.
She added that reaching 10,000 trees since 2024 reflects the potential of combining cycling, adventure and sustainability to create lasting benefits for local communities and the natural environments they depend on.
Gravel cycling takes participants across off-road routes and natural landscapes, creating opportunities to promote conservation in areas that attract sporting and tourism activities.
Through the LOOP Safari Gravel Series, organisers encourage cyclists to support tree-growing initiatives and environmental protection in the destinations they visit.
The programme also supports NCBA Group’s broader sustainability agenda, which targets the growing of 10 million trees by 2030.
The bank’s initiative forms part of wider efforts to address environmental challenges through tree planting and community engagement.
By incorporating conservation into its sporting calendar, the LOOP Safari Gravel Series seeks to demonstrate how sports tourism can support environmental sustainability while connecting participants with nature.
The achievement adds to the series’ growing conservation legacy, with organisers maintaining a focus on ensuring that the benefits of the event extend beyond cycling to the communities and ecosystems surrounding its routes.