Dogs

There is lekker boerewors at the 154 WP and it looks like you missed out on the braaibroodjie at bottom of Rooiberg😁 This years weather was real rubbish, I normally wait till last week before to decide what goes where. CP 2 box is the difficult one for me as you get there in middle of night, so that one just gets an extra layer, weather dependent. Now I just have to loose those kilo's picked up since May.

Depending on the weather at the start, you can always "dress / layer up" at CP 1 for the night riding. Maybe one additional layer on the bike for the last part before CP 1. You will need to start with a light. It will also depend on your anticipated riding time and when you reach each CP. Little treats in boxes work wonders. Enjoy.

Subject to confirmation, but from next year they (Vitality) will acknowledge / give points for the longer, slower rides that don't have the high heart rate. With the latest changes, Vitality Status no longer plays such a big role in benefits, it is now more linked to the card / banking.

This is probably the best place to look / get information: (From the FC website) Touring the Trail The Freedom Trail is open all year round for touring groups of cyclists wishing to ride a portion of the trail outside of events and without strict event rules. Support vehicles are permitted (and encouraged) GPS navigation permitted E-bikes permitted Booking process: Plan your potential tour with friends and nominate a "Tour Leader" within your group to complete booking process Feel free to give us a call if you have any queries whilst planning (078 702 9178) Confirm tour request via email (info@freedomchallenge.org.za) We will make booking inquiries and prepare a proposed itinerary and associated quote for your tour Confirm your booking with 20% deposit payment Balance due 21 days prior to departure Basic info: We request that all people who wish to ride any portion of the trail do so through us as there are specific land traversing permissions and rules that must be adhered to for us to maintain our relations with all land owners and stake holders Traversing permissions and tours along the Freedom Trail are all negotiated on the basis of riders using the "Support Station" accommodation Touring on the trail costs approximately R850pppd including accommodation, meals and traversing permissions (ex VAT). Pre-arranged lunch stops are additional. We highly recommend touring with at least one person who has been on the trail before so that they can help you adequately prepare yourself and your expectations Tours can be arranged along any part of the trail outside of event times as long as there is availability There are certain portions where the touring route differs slightly to racing routes but we will advise you on these if need be We can customise the tour to suit your group's pace and accommodation requirements We do not currently have guaranteed provision of guides of support drivers but we can assist your group with suggestions for logistics GPS devices and support vehicles are permitted We can prepare a customised GPS file for your tour using Ride With GPS. Please note that tour groups must please sign NDA to obtain GPS files.

This may help with those long slow rides..."It will also introduce new points allocations for ‘exercise snacking’, which is 15 minutes of moderate or high intensity workouts that earn 100 Vitality points, “as well as longer duration low intensity workouts that earn 200 and 300 Vitality points to encourage and recognise endurance training”. Just check that reduction in premiums...it goes with a reduction in MSA contributions, so actual increase is closer to 10% + - bunch of scheisters!

In my opinion these were the best road conditions in years (apart from being wet). Even the Rooiberg descent was recently graded. Solo Winner was 2 hours 20 minutes slower than last year, so don't feel too bad about my slow tour.

That pub is in Mabalingwe - the R&R's are highly recommended😁

Orange and Blue routes are mixture of roads, jeep track and single track. They were well marked and and you shouldn't get lost. Orange is the longer one (just over 40 km), while Blue and and White are about half of that. Not much elevation, but loose sand may catch you out. I had no issues with thorns.

My limited input would be is to get a massage package - so much nicer to start the next morning with reasonably fresh legs.

Do a reasonability test on KOM's...some are just so way out of line with next rider, and there are a lot of people out there that just do not care that they forgot to turn of Garmin, etc. when driving home...

Clockwise this year, so at least going down WTF at the start...apart from minor changes, almost a reversal from last years route. Given that it is a training ride, there are a number of spots where a short cut can be taken. Even with only the 3 water points, you pass Rosemary at 29 km and the garage at Bronkies at 73 km where refill for water, etc. should be possible.

Audax? Have a look on the audaxsa,co,za website. There are a couple of 300 rides in Western Cape this year.

R340 past Wittedrif towards Angie's G-Spot for beer...there is coffee shop close by as well. Mostly gravel, but some tar at the start. There will be climbing though.

It was a lekker day out and I had a fairly relaxed ride...well done to all involved. Some minor stuff can be smoothed out, but what I do not understand is, with me being slower and sticking to the left, some cyclists still felt the need to pass on my left, even with 3 1/2 lanes of unused road to the right? (On M1 a guy on e-MTB even went through gutter to pass me on left #..616 = idiot). And then that "racing group" shouting at everyone to keep left...eisch, I did not miss you guys at all...get yourself a proper seeding. Last one was roadies sucking the wheels of e-bikes 👎 Till next year.

Found my name, but purely by accident...novel idea, badly executed.

+3 from our side.

Dot watching is addictive....

Great! Now for the next 5😁

Shout Out to everyone, it was a proper test! Well Done. Waterpoints were awesome, but the kids at last one were great. Felt guilty for just rushing through. It seemed to be a very harsh (sterile) environment that we cycled through. Heard some sheep bleating and dogs barking, but no other real sounds of the night. No baboons or jackal, but with it being sheep country they probably have been exterminated. Saw 1 hare, couple of "miskruiers" and a scorpion. No real birdlife. Nice to see water in Nel's dam just after Calitzdorp. Cheers🍻

Your 5th?- thinks I saw your bike at 1/2 way (#20 )? If so, well done!

Lovely but chilly day in Oudshoorn. Put an extra buff in for box 2😁...was somewhat cold last night. Enjoy

Couple of years ago you were able to do a quick shower in the rugby changeroom at the pavilion in Calitzdorp - clean rider, clean kit.

My rewards (treats) are a piece of chocolate brownie and fudge, jelly babies and wine gums😁 The food at the tables are fine. Toothbrush at CP 3. Bumcream in small pill bottles in all boxes.. White gold is in Camelback. Remember to keep sense of humor.

What my Garmin had: (High, Low, Avg) May 2021 - 33; 8; 19 May 2019 - 36; 5; 15 April 2018 - 31; 3; 18 The average is pulled down by longer, colder nights. November 2020 doesn't count, that was just silly. For upper body I think 3 layers should be enough for the night and 1 or 2 for daytime. I don't have long pants. 6 Weeks to go

Don't get carried away at the start, some guys fly out of the blocks. Ride within yourself at a pace that you are comfortable with and can maintain. There are cut-offs, but they are generous. After CP 1 the waterpoints are about 30k's apart, just make sure that you eat and drink enough - the waterpoints are well stocked. Efficient stops are good, don't get too comfortable. Don't worry too much about Rooiberg, the first priority is to at least get there, and then you can engage "granny". The big unknown is the weather, but that you can plan around in the week before once it is more accurate and pack your boxes accordingly. With the 3pm start time, boxes for CP 1 and 2 need some planning due to the time that you go through them. 2 Years ago I did not use boxes at all. Box at CP3 you can use to empty the load a bit. Once you descended Rooiberg, it is a drag to get to Calitzdorp...my least favourite part of the route. What was said above, the last 60 k's definitely have a bite and keep something in the legs for that stretch. Try and change hand positions regularly, and if possible, even your feet. Move fingers, etc. By the time you realise something is wrong it is normally too late and those fingers have no feeling. I struggle with Carpal, and this is the worst for me. Take some pictures and enjoy the scenery, it is beautiful part of the country. Not sure what your target time is, but for the Saturday suntan lotion and lip-ice is good. Enjoy the ride and wave as you come past. I may finish in daylight😁 (Obviously we do train a bit and have a proper bike set-up done).