Marnitz Nienaber

Spares I carry with me on the Freedom Challenge : Gear Cables Cable Ties Duck Tape Small Bottle of tyre sealant Patch kit Chain links Cleats + screws Pratley Steel Hanger Super Glue Tube 2 x Bomb's + Connector Shock Pump Multi Tool + small leatherman Lighter Brake Pads 1 set Then I must confess, last year I carried spokes while riding the tandem for obvious reasons..... Then also the first year my pack weighed in at 15 kg after 4 years I'm down to about 6-7 kg, wonder why ?

Let me rephrase, I have never broken a spoke, nipple, rim or tyre on the Freedom Challenge, but while training i try out various equipment and ended up with a bent ZTR and a broken spoke, the same happened with a Mavic SLR wheel. Mavic doesn't give a weight limit for their wheels, but if you read the reviews you will see that the weight limit is actually 70kg, I haven't read the ZTR reviews yet, I just had a bad experience with the ZTR's, got it on a bike that was sponsored. With the Freedom Challenge in mind, read as many reviews as possible, ask questions as you did and the buy the best equipment you can afford. If you are just doing the Freedom Challenge for fun, then carry the spares that you may think you might need. I have seen lots of spares been dumped and posted back. The only Post Offices that you will pass is at Rhodes, Willomore, Prince Albert and Montagu, you yourself have to post it, you're not allowed to ask the Support Stations to post it. Most of the spares get dumped and are available to purchase from SS if in need. If you're racing then it's another story, you will carry the bear minimum. Some of the racing snakes have borrowed toothpaste from me in the past. You may also decide to challenge like Glen, Single Speed, then you don't have to worry about spares...... :w00t:

"You have never lived until you have challenged life, and for those who have, life has a flavour the protected will never know " Marnitz Nienaber " Make your journey count, make a difference "

I have never broken a spoke, nipple, rim or tyre. I use DT swiss 240 hubs with a mavic ex823 rim and 2.35 Maxxis Ignator tyre, bit on the heavy side but bomb proof. ZTR rims don't last for me, but then I'm on the heavy side, build for downhills and I ride well into the night..........Hope hubs are also bombproof, all will depend on your riding skills and if you drown the bike in the rivers...... It doesn't make sense to carry spares for being a weight weany and ending up with more or less the same weigh, build it bombproof from the start then you don't have to carry the worry as well Enjoy the ride !!!

The new year has come and I am still in need of a sponsorship, please assist if possible. R 30 000 is needed to keep the wheels rolling...... Here's another side to the Freedom story https://community.bikehub.co.za/topic/126546-2013-freedom-challenge-updates/page__hl__freedom%20challenge

It doesn't matter what you buy, the CPA protects you. They are the informed experts on what they selling and should have advised you on the pro's and con's. If this goes to court they will loose !!!!

The trail takes participants up and over several of South Africa's most remote and beautiful mountain ranges, and across the endless semi-desert Karoo, into the winelands of the Cape. It is done in June, the middle of winter, which means that conditions include blizzards and snow, fierce wind, and below zero temperatures. Riders face an overall ascent of 37 000m over the 2 300km, and have 26 days in which to finish. Finishers don't get a medal or monetary prize, just a warm Basotho blanket. Support stations are positioned every 100km, where riders get meals, a bed and a chance to wash their gear. Ahead of the race they submit two-litre tubs containing anything extra they want for the event, which are sent to the support stations. Other than that, they carry everything they need on their backs. They are not permitted to carry a GPS, and must rely only on maps and written directions from the race organiser, David Waddilove http://www.freedomchallenge.org.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1082:painforgotten&catid=60:newsflash

Yeah getting older and wiser, finished 6th with 3 broken ribs & a day in sick bed (stomach bug) and 5th (6 hour daylight penalty split between 2 days at the same support station = 18 hours) So maybe I'm getting slowed........

I am in need of a sponsor for the 2014 Freedom Challenge. You know what I have conquered in the past and what I'm capable off, I will be a real asset and ambassador to the sponsor. Past achievements on the Freedom Challenge : 2009 2nd 2010 3rd 2011 6th 2013 5th More about the 2400km unsupported Race Across South Africa : http://www.freedomchallenge.org.za http://afreedomexperience.blogspot.com http://glennharrisonsa.blogspot.com Feel free to contact me