deanbean Posted June 20, 2014 Posted June 20, 2014 Well done Clint and Fanie. It's gonna be cold again tonight. At least the wind has dropped. The temp's dropping fast with the clear skies.
deanbean Posted June 21, 2014 Posted June 21, 2014 Got this ms from a buddy about Marnitz, "He came through last night Dean , all beit with a very flimsy sleeping bag". After I said that he must keep an eye open for him. He farms near Molteno.
PhilipV Posted June 21, 2014 Posted June 21, 2014 I need a lekker goal to motivate me through rehab after I tore my knee ligaments, reading this thread is giving me a hectic R2R itch. Might not be ready next year, but I should be ready by 2016. Keep the updates coming please, I'm loving this thread.
Trackz Posted June 21, 2014 Posted June 21, 2014 Interesting. We did this section last Sunday with the hectic winds. Got the nav spot on but we had to walk, drag our bikes the last 30kms, impossible to mount and stay on in the strong wind! Last 3km took us an hour as the wind blew us all over the place. Over 9 hours for what should have been a 5-6 hour day at most. Wasn't much fun then but at least we get to keep a nice story :-) Percyzn and Andrew Steer 2
Trackz Posted June 21, 2014 Posted June 21, 2014 But that is Glenn !! SS would definitely be the preferred mode of transport but I will definitely put a suspension fork on . Any comments on using touring type bags ? That stuff you put on the back . Good luck with that SS! Don't bother with cycling in your prep, you're going to be pushing that SS 75% of the time. I think my granny chain ring needs replacement after the past week. dirtrider 1
Trackz Posted June 21, 2014 Posted June 21, 2014 (edited) Some sharing to help others understand a bit more about Freedom. I loved this race so please forgive my enthusiasm. - Also understand that I am no expert or experienced rider, I only have one whip to show and I hooked onto a strong group with 4 experienced Freedom navigators so I got a bit of a free ride. We rode 9-11 hours everyday which is above average,with no navigation mistakes, if you have to navigate or read maps, add 30% to this time. If you cannot ride a sub-3 94.7 or run a sub 4 minute mile, add another 20% to the time. You don't need to be fast but you need to be able to keep going the whole time, chipping away at the trial. - It is odd in a way that the Freedom Challenge is a topic on a cycling forum, I guess its cause one has to bring a bicycle along. It perhaps belongs more on an adventure racing forum, I have also heard it referred to as adventure mountain biking. - I estimate that I pushed or carried my bike around 40-50% of the time and I did not quite expect this even though I knew there would be some portaging. The hills get too steep to ride, the surface is loose and rocky or cattle tracks too narrow to ride or you are simply just too buggered to ride. If you ride a SS the 40-50% will be 60-70% pushing unless you can ride standing at 30 rpm cadence for extended periods of time. - If you want to know what a typical Freedom Trial day is like, go ride Klapperkop or Kingskloof loops for 10 hours non-stop, you will eventually start pushing your bike and when you get g@tvol of the front wheel jamming against rocks and graspolle you will want to start throwing your bike onto your back. Its then that you realise you should have spent more time on the stair climber in gym than on the stationary bike. Perhaps also go do some climbing at the Tuks climbing wall ... with your bike on your back and throw in some ballet classes as you will want to have your balance sorted when you scramble up and down cliff faces where one slip can have you rolling (happened this year, the rider stopped 20m down, the bike 30m further). - Doing a sub-3 Argus may not be very helpful. Climbing up Table Mountain with a 25kg backpack in a sub-3 will be very helpful. - Underestimate navigation at your own peril. I can read 1:50,000 maps no problem and it got very tricky, especially in dark with no landmarks or on top of a mountain with no visible contours or beacons. Now try reading maps and narratives at the same time while riding your bicycle. We all have scratched knees and elbows from doing just that. You will make mistakes, you will miss a turn-off. I was following riders who knew the route closely on my map and would have missed many turn-offs on my own, some sneaky single track turn-offs almost invisible to the eye. - As a novice, I spent 4 hours off the bike in preparation for every hour on the bike and I was still under-prepared for navigation. - I read people talk about the riding and the weather. These are non-issues, anyone on this forum can do the riding and weather challenges are addressed by correct clothing of which there is lots of info around. - On a more positive note. I am not an olympic athlete but I can hold my own on most weekend groups. If I can finish this race I reckon most can. I do however have a good mind and attitude, they can stay strong for many hours and you will need this aplenty. Race to Rhodes is a highlight for me and it will more than likely be for you too if you are interested in something different than the usual MTB ride with both challenges and rewards you will not find at any other MTB event. - From a training perspective, 50% cycling, 50% hiking. Equal amount of time to training .. studying the maps & narratives. - Lastly. There will be information sessions again this year so I strongly recommend those with an interest attend these or arrange other such informal sessions with the growing family of participants. There are also many Blanket Bearers or Whip Carriers in your social circles, speak to them, they have the scars and would love to share their stories. See you at R2R 2015! Over & Out! Edited June 21, 2014 by Trackz Stewratl, Thug, Warren911 and 3 others 6
tubed Posted June 22, 2014 Author Posted June 22, 2014 Great posts Trackz, well done on your ride - similar to the PMB boys - lots of prep a healthy dose of humility and humour and it all went according to plan. Hope to see you back.
tubed Posted June 22, 2014 Author Posted June 22, 2014 Update Sun 22: While the rest of us have been watching rugby or SWC2014, the race continues to take shape and evolve into what seems to be a two horse race between Graham Bird and his chaser Glenn Harrison. See here for a bit of a catch up: http://glennharrison...ible-john-loos/ All of the racers are now between Rhodes and the Baviaanskloof, these days are characterised by portages initially for the first few days out of Rhodes as one leaves the high mountains and then as one enters the Eastern Cape proper , the roads get better and the days riding are longer, but a bit 'easier'. There are still numerous portages and it is by no means flat at all, with grassland being replaced by Karoo thickets and acacia trees. The riders will also move from predominantly cattle farms to quite a few game farms and this presents the game fences which they have to scale, some of these up to three meters in height - a new skill quickly to be mastered. The only constant is the cold, in the mornings it is excruciating, see the pics of Marnitz, probably taken as he emerges from his outside bed somewhere. In terms of the weather it must be said that it is near as good as it gets, these guys have been very lucky because if the wind blows int his area or it gets muddy, then instead of doing a double day between 2 support stations, one then sees event he best riders struggling to make one support station and sometimes even 50-80km to an intermediate support station will take a whole day. Back to this years race: Graham is still out in front near Romansfontein, but Glenn is now hot on his heels and there are hours separating them. Consensus seems to be that Glenn is quicker on the bike, but Graham is a seasoned adventure racer..... similar to the last big battle between Alex the cyclist and Martin the adventure racer, Martin set the record that year..... There is still a lot to happen here with the weather, mechanicals, health and sleep all possibly to still play a part. Behind the two are; Hanno, who seems to have recovered and Tim, also back at it, dont count wither of them out yet, but it would take one of the front guys to falter, what we can be assured of is that neither seems to have any idea of giving up and we know Tim gets stronger as he nears Cape Town. Marnitz is also still in the race and following his own strategy - see the pic of the buffalo he came across, buffalos have poor eyesight and a keen sense of smell, it smelt something terrible and stayed clear of Marnitz Out in front Bugs and Allen should enter the Baviaans via the Osseberg today, this fabled old ox wagon route into the Baviaans will keep them busy for the day, hope they make Cambria tonight.......not quite the place where you want to sleep as things definitely go bump in the night there and they growl at you. Did I mention the Cape Leopard research center is at Cambria. Sadly it seems like Clint aka Trailwarrior has pulled out of the race at Chesneywold, its been a ding dong battle to get this far, no news on Fanie yet, hope you guys heal up soon and well done for soldiering on this far. They will be enjoying Minki's hospitality, sadly they wont get to meet the late Christo who passed away in the last year. RIP Christo. So today we will see the race continue to take shape, we are still a long long way from home and there is lots still to happen. Probably the best part of the Race to Rhodes is that now that the excitement of that is over - we are left with the main serving - the 2014 Race Across South Africa and its lining up to be a special edition - stay tuned. Andrew Steer, Warren911, jaxtun and 2 others 5
Stewratl Posted June 22, 2014 Posted June 22, 2014 Some sharing to help others understand a bit more about Freedom. I loved this race so please forgive my enthusiasm. - Also understand that I am no expert or experienced rider, I only have one whip to show and I hooked onto a strong group with 4 experienced Freedom navigators so I got a bit of a free ride. We rode 9-11 hours everyday which is above average,with no navigation mistakes, if you have to navigate or read maps, add 30% to this time. If you cannot ride a sub-3 94.7 or run a sub 4 minute mile, add another 20% to the time. You don't need to be fast but you need to be able to keep going the whole time, chipping away at the trial. - It is odd in a way that the Freedom Challenge is a topic on a cycling forum, I guess its cause one has to bring a bicycle along. It perhaps belongs more on an adventure racing forum, I have also heard it referred to as adventure mountain biking. - I estimate that I pushed or carried my bike around 40-50% of the time and I did not quite expect this even though I knew there would be some portaging. The hills get too steep to ride, the surface is loose and rocky or cattle tracks too narrow to ride or you are simply just too buggered to ride. If you ride a SS the 40-50% will be 60-70% pushing unless you can ride standing at 30 rpm cadence for extended periods of time. - If you want to know what a typical Freedom Trial day is like, go ride Klapperkop or Kingskloof loops for 10 hours non-stop, you will eventually start pushing your bike and when you get g@tvol of the front wheel jamming against rocks and graspolle you will want to start throwing your bike onto your back. Its then that you realise you should have spent more time on the stair climber in gym than on the stationary bike. Perhaps also go do some climbing at the Tuks climbing wall ... with your bike on your back and throw in some ballet classes as you will want to have your balance sorted when you scramble up and down cliff faces where one slip can have you rolling (happened this year, the rider stopped 20m down, the bike 30m further). - Doing a sub-3 Argus may not be very helpful. Climbing up Table Mountain with a 25kg backpack in a sub-3 will be very helpful. - Underestimate navigation at your own peril. I can read 1:50,000 maps no problem and it got very tricky, especially in dark with no landmarks or on top of a mountain with no visible contours or beacons. Now try reading maps and narratives at the same time while riding your bicycle. We all have scratched knees and elbows from doing just that. You will make mistakes, you will miss a turn-off. I was following riders who knew the route closely on my map and would have missed many turn-offs on my own, some sneaky single track turn-offs almost invisible to the eye. - As a novice, I spent 4 hours off the bike in preparation for every hour on the bike and I was still under-prepared for navigation. - I read people talk about the riding and the weather. These are non-issues, anyone on this forum can do the riding and weather challenges are addressed by correct clothing of which there is lots of info around. - On a more positive note. I am not an olympic athlete but I can hold my own on most weekend groups. If I can finish this race I reckon most can. I do however have a good mind and attitude, they can stay strong for many hours and you will need this aplenty. Race to Rhodes is a highlight for me and it will more than likely be for you too if you are interested in something different than the usual MTB ride with both challenges and rewards you will not find at any other MTB event. - From a training perspective, 50% cycling, 50% hiking. Equal amount of time to training .. studying the maps & narratives. - Lastly. There will be information sessions again this year so I strongly recommend those with an interest attend these or arrange other such informal sessions with the growing family of participants. There are also many Blanket Bearers or Whip Carriers in your social circles, speak to them, they have the scars and would love to share their stories. See you at R2R 2015! Over & Out! Having finished in Rhodes last Sunday 1 day longer than what we wanted (7 days), I concur completely with Trackz. Even with all the cold, high winds, early starts, getting lost and getting in well after dark (17 hours was our longest day), never once did I wish I was anywhere else or at any other race. I have always wanted to do this event and did it this year. Any kit, fitness and navigation challenges that faced us year will be addressed for next year but I will definitely be back. There is no big fanfare surrounding this event and just the knowledge that I have achieved something more than what other events offer me, will make me return. There again I tend more to bike packing anyway. Ryanpmb, tubed, deanbean and 1 other 4
tubed Posted June 22, 2014 Author Posted June 22, 2014 As the photo says Glenn Harrison heading for Elandsberg - the weapon of the hunter. Travelling light, clear skies and dry - making it count. Warren911 1
tubed Posted June 22, 2014 Author Posted June 22, 2014 Having finished in Rhodes last Sunday 1 day longer than what we wanted (7 days), I concur completely with Trackz. Even with all the cold, high winds, early starts, getting lost and getting in well after dark (17 hours was our longest day), never once did I wish I was anywhere else or at any other race. I have always wanted to do this event and did it this year. Any kit, fitness and navigation challenges that faced us year will be addressed for next year but I will definitely be back. There is no big fanfare surrounding this event and just the knowledge that I have achieved something more than what other events offer me, will make me return. There again I tend more to bike packing anyway. Nicely summed up - glad it lived up to your expectations, hope to see you back. Thanks too for passing on the gees.
Thug Posted June 22, 2014 Posted June 22, 2014 Getting cheesed off with the tracking system! johannrissik 1
tombeej Posted June 23, 2014 Posted June 23, 2014 I've been reading these threads from the sidelines for the past couple of years, quietly telling myself that this is one of those adventures that absolutely must be done. So enough talk. I'm going to commit to R2R next year, then go from there. I used to do a lot of orienteering as a lighty, grew up in the E.Cape and spent many nights out in the open in the Winterberg or on the banks of the Fish river next to my canoe. As school boys we used to get dropped off somewhere in the E.Cape mountains and get picked up 4 days and 100km later (hiking). Those were some of my best memories as a youngster. I have a lot of questions for the veterans, but will leave this thread for updates of this years race. Maybe we can start a separate thread for 'Prep for R2R / RASA 2015' and us noobs can post all our questions there for the next year... Dusty, Andrew Steer, M Hickley and 4 others 7
tubed Posted June 23, 2014 Author Posted June 23, 2014 I've been reading these threads from the sidelines for the past couple of years, quietly telling myself that this is one of those adventures that absolutely must be done. So enough talk. I'm going to commit to R2R next year, then go from there. I used to do a lot of orienteering as a lighty, grew up in the E.Cape and spent many nights out in the open in the Winterberg or on the banks of the Fish river next to my canoe. As school boys we used to get dropped off somewhere in the E.Cape mountains and get picked up 4 days and 100km later (hiking). Those were some of my best memories as a youngster. I have a lot of questions for the veterans, but will leave this thread for updates of this years race. Maybe we can start a separate thread for 'Prep for R2R / RASA 2015' and us noobs can post all our questions there for the next year... You have hit on a common reason why quite a few people end up doing the FC, it literally offers you the freedom you had while you were a kid. Think about it for a minute: you and your bike, nobody telling you when to start each day or when to be home, you primary concern is riding to your next food and shelter spot and along the way enjoying some time out in the sun. When it does get tough you hear the guys (and ladies) saying the last time I had to 'man up' like this was in the army, or on a scout hike, adventure race etc, so they 'man up' and get on with it. Similar to their army days - it may feel *** at the time, but the stories are so much better than, "oh we waited it out at the coffee spot", or "jeepers I am glad they shortened the route today". Please do ask questions on the kit etc, one of the reasons the thread was created was to answer the questions and for the guys who have just finished to share some of their experiences which they are doing, it will also be easy to link you to some of the rider blogs etc. (lastly this isn't a male chest beating/ bonding thing, that attitude pretty much assures you of a humbling experience) Pictures of what its about: group under tough conditions - ladies included! guys chatting at the top of a long portage sharing lunch on the side of the road in the Karoo Thug, nonky, Andrew Steer and 1 other 4
tubed Posted June 23, 2014 Author Posted June 23, 2014 Getting cheesed off with the tracking system!you are not the only one - service provider getting pasted on twitter - hope they sort it out
Eddie Stafford Posted June 23, 2014 Posted June 23, 2014 We managed to reach Rhodes in 90 hours starting on 13 June and reaching Rhodes at 12:00 am on 16th June. I took a few photos along the way posted at: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/8jqgmkowt0y7j14/AAAvsQeOuNpgUtJapjtS6AgZa Eddie deanbean 1
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