2013 Freedom Challenge Updates

[tubed]

How do one know the exact route that the riders will ride? Can I look at the pink route marked on this 1:5000 maps?: http://www.freedomch...2&Itemid=100016

 

(It seems the pink route don't go over the Swartberg pass?)

Hi there

 

the route goes up from PAlbert to the top of the pass and turns into the Hel and all the way down the kloof to the end and exits on the other end via die Leer, it does not go over the pass in the direction of Oudshoorn

[tubed]

Oh yes, nearly forgot, don't miss reading this: http://glennharrisonsa.blogspot.com/

[tubed]

Quick leader board update:

 

Dreyers are probably already out of the Hel and are within a sniff of one big push for home - lets not rule that out.

 

Scott is on a charge - ably assisted by Charles and Christo

 

Marnitz the dark horse for a podium is lurking somewhere - for him km to go is his advantage he can sleep less and ride more.

[Shebeen]

This is from the narratives used when I did it in 2008, and is where I think the electric fence now is. Johan, what sort of magic was used last night?

 

I quote from the narrative here:

“When you get to the stream look on the opposite side. There is a small group of poplar trees. You must cross the stream and climb up BEHIND the trees. As you go behind the trees you will experience a moment of magic. There will be a foot path. You are now on The Ladder. Pick up your bike and carry it upwards until you emerge at the top where there is the ruin of an old garage.”

[Stretch]

this is an absolutely incredible photograph - beautiful does not really describe it - it is almost angelic wow!

 

 

 

Edited June 27, 2013 by Stretch

[Warren911]

What a pic!! Prize winning landscape!

(If Johann does not have his tongue firmly in his cheek, the story here is as follows:)

 

This has been brewing for some time - and could go the route of an urgent interdict in court - the FC does have considerable legal opinion on this the public right of way of the access route - but it should be sorted out for once and for all

 

As I understand it, the properties were bought and owned some years ago by a small group of professionals from the city, they have attempted to establish a small restricted access private nature reserve at the end of the kloof, historically this was the only entrance to the kloof and it involved a precipitous climb in or out via an established pathway - hence it became legally regarded as a public right of access via use even though it traversed private land.

 

Apparently upon purchasing the properties the current owners, referred to above, were made aware of this legal fact and they proceeded to purchase the properties, the argument then is they purchased the properties subject to the public's reasonable right to traverse the properties.

 

The current owners have however tried as best as possible to threateningly discourage people using the route and have at times threatened to arrest "trespassers", which seems to have happened last night.

 

Before anyone jumps on the bandwagon of mtbs trespassing and messing it up for other users - this is different. There is currently a trend in the Karoo and the Little Karoo by certain landowners to fence off and lock gates on public publicly proclaimed roads, some are trying legitimately to have these roads deproclaimed, but that is subject to a public participation process, not just a chain and a lock approach. The landowners cite legitimate security concerns in the main for this approach, however it is often the case that they wish to establish a private nature reserve and charge for access - knowing full well that the public has an established right of access to traverse through that area.

 

Lets hope the issue in the Hel/ Gamkaskloof is sorted out today or soon as ordinary people have been legitimately been using that route for decades.

 

Pic is looking back into the kloof from the top entrance to the leer and the public right of access pathway.

[tubed]

thanks for the compliments - this was the view from entering this very special place - it was a goosebump moment

[Shebeen]

damn, i'm really sad that there's no video crew on the race this year. just looking at the pics taken by andrew king last year as well is enough to want to get you on your bike.

 

 

more here:

http://www.facebook....52784736&type=3

 

 

just had to go and reread my blog account from riding this section...apologies for the *** pics, my camera did not enjoy the previous days corrugated roads..somehow fixed itself

 

http://theblanketsaga.blogspot.com/2008/08/day-16.html

Edited June 27, 2013 by Shebeen

[Slowbee]

Dear Everyone

 

Please stop posting pics. It makes me want to ride and be done with the consequences of loosing my job.

 

Thank you

 

Regards

Mr Jealousy Envious

[Warren911]

+1000

Well said!!!

It does look like the ride of a lifetime!!

:thumbup: :thumbup:

Dear Everyone

 

Please stop posting pics. It makes me want to ride and be done with the consequences of loosing my job.

 

Thank you

 

Regards

Mr Jealousy Envious

[Shebeen]

Dear Everyone

 

Please stop posting pics. It makes me want to ride and be done with the consequences of loosing my job.

 

Thank you

 

Regards

Mr Jealousy Envious

if your job is tight, try this

 

[TrailWarrior]

This time of year this Freedom Challenge really engrosses me....as it has the past 3 years when I 1st started following it.......got to remind myself I also have work to do..mmmm? I would so like to do this challenge one day soon but wonder if I've got the b*lls to do it! LOL! There again, sometimes they say,

"If it scares you, it might be a good thing to try" .

 

Tubes! great feedback updates on this forum and awesome pics....!!

[MTBeer]

There were no threats of personal harm and the fence/gate is not only there to keep people out, but for other reasons too. Also, informing politely of intent to tresspass is not the same as asking for permission.

so, ketoors, in principle do you have no objection to these cyclists crossing you land as long as permission is requested? did the race organisers not speak to you before the time?

[Slowbee]

This will not be derailed into a land access debate. This thread is about updates. Carry on the discussion here ..

 

https://community.bikehub.co.za/topic/127765-freedom-challenge-2013-route-access-issues/

 

I will move all relevant posts across....

[MTBeer]

This will not be derailed into a land access debate. This thread is about updates. Carry on the discussion here ..

 

http://www.thehubsa....-access-issues/

 

I will move all relevant posts across....

sorry uncle

[tubed]

I agree not the right forum - deleted

Edited June 27, 2013 by tubed