tubed

Hope Alex's tracker got in the car and not him. Would be nice to see if the three of them could create something of a chase of Martin. Certainly seems like a better day to be crossing to Prince Albert today. Ok: withdrawal confirmed by race office, sad to see him go.

Seems about now that he'd be taking care of things. Gone, definitely not forgotten.

think I need to re-assess my previous comments about admiration for his ride...brave, but now not winning at nav no compass? going upstream? very easy to comment from the comfort of my computer painful to watch

Last night it looked like he had a plan to get down to the old camp site an sleep there......this morning it doesn't look too much like there is a plan, more like now trying to establish where he is. Ouch.

For me (besides Martin;s race), the ride of RASA2019 is proving to be RG du Toit, he's off alone very late into the Osseberg, he's done it a few months ago in RTW2019, but he's going in there tonight with no moon to speak of and no tracks at all. This could get interesting or be a very masterful ride - either way its worth keeping an eye on tonight.

Johan Radcliffe arrived at Elandsberg at 16:10 “Hello the Karoo” #RASA2019 #adventureguaranteed Don't need to add more words to that.

Seriously, this is a major reason I prefer to be flexible, last year I got to Elandsberg after everybody was well set for the night, there was some heavy breathing to put it mildly, a few hours later I was happy to find Newlands almost empty and a room to myself. Its the one thing I really struggle with, weird I know.

wondering the same, quite few trackers seem to be sketchy today (otherwise Gawie convinced Scott to open a few Zamaleks last night - Aussies no longer used to strong beers)

Thanks for sharing about your ride on FB etc, besides the inspiration, there's always lots to learn from the guys that push the boundaries. Chuffed to see that the wry smile is back after late last year's experience.

If there is an opportunity, what would be really cool is we could get some pics of the overall contenders bikes as they have been prepped. Besides the spectacular vista's, the inner bike geek in many of us would love to get an idea of what detail the guys are doing to their bikes to be in that batch. Gawie's bike pics were super - he has a very unique approach - which even the manne took time to debate.

Thanks for the comments. Here's my take on it, purely speculative, highly tongue in cheek and to be taken very lightly: Anthony is being guided from home by Ingrid, she saw this as an early chance to get back at him for some of his route suggestions last year, she sent him up there to give him a taste of what she has in store for him over the next 2 weeks. Ergee the Dr from Hermanus has been seen having coffee with the adventurer from Hermanus Richmond McIntyre, Richmond has plenty of trail experience and was often seen taking a skrik for niks approach (which I guess if you google makes sense, sort of 'the older, the braver approach'). As you point out, Minkie's Aga stove and breakfast has captured him this morning, he's better get out that door soon into the ice box if he wants to get over all the portages today. The group dynamics are a bit like a game of Survivor, either you love the okes you are riding with and form lifetime bonds on the way to Wellington, or you keep wondering if you can catch the people in front or if there are others coming from behind who you are more suited to riding with. Or you enjoy just riding alone.

Interesting move this afternoon from RG du Toit, left the group he has been riding with and pushed on past Rhodes to what looks like a stop at Chesneywold. Riding alone and at night, thankfully its all on roads, so no portages....yet. Its bitterly cold there at the moment and there is no moonlight. So far his night navigation looks spot on. From a strategy perspective I can't figure it, because he is unlikely to catch the group ahead tonight/ tomorrow and he appeared comfortable to Rhodes with the group who stopped there. Freedom_Challenge any insight?

He really does have an eye for composition - some stunning images. On these forums we have tried with words to describe some of the experiences, but as they say 'a picture says a thousand words' and really the FC has lifted its game considerably this year as regards graphic content.

Not for everybody...….most (even the very best) find ways to complicate it each year. For that, those of us forced to follow behind computers are most grateful and well entertained.

2019 dot watchers getting their first taste of wandering souls trying to get down to Masakala. Nigel and Adi set off with intent from Allendale - tricky bit now in the dark - wandered around a bit there with Ingrid last year, every damn pine tree looks the same in the dark, every fire road "must be the one".....

makes sense, thanks Grant, looking forward to watching your dot from tomorrow - all the very best and enjoy it

Quick question for those more up to date with the route this year. Has the 'stations of the cross' pre-ride option been removed from the route this year, the compulsory route being that you have to ride from Malek to Ongeluksnek on the route, ie you cannot pre-ride it in the afternoon and then ride out on the road the next morning? It seems that way as nobody is doing what amounted to a silly sneak in previous years. Far better to get into Malek, drink tea and eat vetkoek and then take your chances across the wet grasslands in the cold early morning.

This was prophetic, Carlo, Henry and Pieter did the full moon tour of Lehana's, arriving at Tena Head for breakfast after making the very most of the time on the trail all night, they now seem to be smashing their credit cards at Tena Head as the sun comes up. What a perfect way to experience the trail, memories they will never forget.

Any update on Mike? All the communication seems to be quiet and his tracker too.... Would have been a tough task to get from Tinana to Rhodes in about 6 hrs if I calculate it correctly. What a ride!

These current riders all stop at Rhodes. RTR - Race to Rhodes RASA - Race Across South Africa - these bunches only start on the 17th, they follow the same route as RTR to Rhodes, but just keeping going down the rest of the trail after that

Doesn't seem like the slower riders have been off route, so they are probably just slower. Those are tough days they have just done, besides the route being tough with both days having massive climbs at the end and then still some longish rolling bits to support stations - the day just seems to go on forever. The rhythm of the trail generally gets better for riders who just stick to it, nice to see them sticking together as the sun goes down. Mike is going to be interesting to watch, he'd love to go under 48hrs. Dont count out Janine - she's incredible if she's racing - hope Mark keeps up. Axel and Daniel will also be right up there having previously finished well under 3 days. We are in for a feast of refreshing pages over the next 48 hours.

I think I already agreed with you here: "I guess you are right and I should move with the times and show more respect. Point taken." Just to be 100% clear - apologies to Phillipa York, I have the greatest respect for her as a top climber in a generation of outstanding climbers, her ride over the Col de Bonette was a seminal moment in my armchair enthusiast days. Nowadays I am an admirer of her insight as a cycling pundit. Back to the cycling.

always had that Fignon style ponytail, now its a full shoulder length with a fringe, but I hear you on some amazing feats over his career the persons identity really doesnt make an iota's difference to me, but I love her insights and opinions which are devoid of the machismo so often associated with cycling, its nice to hear someone with a substantiated opinion

I guess you are right and I should move with the times and show more respect. Point taken. Robert Millar was one of the people I followed closely over the years, few people can claim his palmares and this was in an era of true climbers, today I am not even sure who is considered a climber https://www.cycling-challenge.com/2008-tour-de-france-preview-stage-16-the-highest-road-in-europe/

that to me would be the aforementioned "silly selection", he doesn't need those 2 to win the type of sprint he is now capable of in my view - Reini is there for that