[Event] Freedom Challenge 2014

[Eddie Stafford]

Three of us from Mauritius also starting R2R on 13 June. Looks like we won't need to bring our board shorts and flip flops!

[Trackz]

good stuff I have some reading to do.. my 2008 account starts here if you need anymore reading on what goes wright and rong.

http://theblanketsag...8/07/day-1.html

 

Have read all your accounts multiple times over the years I have been following FC. Its the writing up of the stories of the trial that get people fired up and inspired to go see for themselves. Well done!

[Marnitz Nienaber]

I might have gone completely mad, but here is my plan.

 

First of all this plan is not about me, it is about what you can do for charity. This plan will only depend on your involvement and how much you want to make a difference in someone's life and how big a smile you want to put on their face.

 

The plan is for you to make a pledge from R 1 to whatever per night that I sleep rough on the Freedom Challenge. Sleeping rough will mean that I don't sleep in a support station, intermediate support station or any other accommodation where we normally have to pay a fee including farmers letting me stay for free. Sleeping rough will thus mean, sleeping under the stars, or sleeping in an open abandoned house / hut or kraal where no fee is charged.

 

You the life changer may make a pledge per night, that will be collected afterwards and I will donate all the pledges to charity.

 

Now is this a mad plan and are you willing to make a change in a life.

Edited September 4, 2014 by Marnitz Nienaber

[deanbean]

Shot Tubed, will be following this thread keenly. Good luck to all riding, and to you MadMarnitz. Will be following your sleeping? exploits.

[Marnitz Nienaber]

More about the rough sleep madness on www.afreedomexperience.blogspot.com

 

 

 

I will try to update every night, depending on battery life & coverage and if I'm sleeping or racing during the night.......

 

 

[Ryanpmb]

Percyzn and I ready to roll...

 

 

[rouxtjie]

Percyzn and I ready to roll...

when you guys off dude?

[Shebeen]

Have read all your accounts multiple times over the years I have been following FC. Its the writing up of the stories of the trial that get people fired up and inspired to go see for themselves. Well done!

rad...i think it's time i went and collated all those reports again

 

enjoy. and remember, i'm watching you!

[Ryanpmb]

when you guys off dude?

Wed 11/6 boet.

[Shebeen]

all entry/startlist here

 

RTR means Ride To Rhodes, ie. as it says you ride to rhodes.

RASA means Race Across South Africa. for some the R could mean ride/relax etc etc etc

 

http://www.freedomchallenge.org.za/index.php?option=com_comprofiler&task=userslist&listid=50&Itemid=100215

[Ryanpmb]

all entry/startlist here

 

RTR means Ride To Rhodes, ie. as it says you ride to rhodes.

RASA means Race Across South Africa. for some the R could mean ride/relax etc etc etc

 

http://www.freedomch...0&Itemid=100215

There are two R2R's

The June one that sets off with RASA is the Race To Rhodes, also non stop, unsupported, race.

The Ride to Rhodes takes place in September as a partially supported ride.

 

Another point to note - the batch times for RASA seem incorrect on the website. RASA batches start Mon 9/6 (not 7/6) and R2R 11/6 (as stated). Batching on the entry/ start list is correct.

Edited June 7, 2014 by Ryanpmb

[tubed]

Tomorrow 6am in front of the town hall in Pietermaritzburg the first riders are off, by now they should be fast asleep or trying as best they can with the nerves going crazy.

 

 

 

Their bags and bikes will be next to them in their room and this will become their ritual for the next 2/3 weeks. At this stage there is surprising little left to do, for most the preparation has finally come to an end and its time to get the show on the road.

 

 

 

Earlier in the day they would have assembled their bikes, got to meet one or two of the other riders in their group and generally tried to pass the time. The race office would have given them their tracker and race number board with a number that either belongs to them as a previous finisher, or as a first timer their name is written in black ink, (the ox red colour rider name denotes a previous finisher).

 

 

 

After a simple and sufficient dinner there is a race briefing by the race director, again a simple affair, with some helpful advice, but by now most of the riders have everything figured out with a clear strategy of how they will ride.

 

Its a jovial affair with an emphasis on encouragement for every rider to finish, for some it has been months of selfish and sacrificial preparation - the very last thing anyone wants is a DNF, so the role of the race office becomes one of support to get the riders to Paarl, it will be hard enough with what the elements and the trail throw at them.

 

 

 

The one thing which hasn't been discussed as much so far is the weather, last year saw ideal conditions and some riders hardly used their rain gear, indications this year are that it could be very different. More about that in the days to come.

 

 

 

Wishing the riders all the best, let the games begin....

Edited June 8, 2014 by tubed

[Chro Mo]

Best of l;ick to all riders. Kudos to all of you.

 

[GrantRH]

Strong legs all

[Shebeen]

and they're off..grabouw apple farmer mike du toit is a fit bugger, you can see he has been consulting ugene nel by his choice of pedals for the race! (i think it's a *** idea)

[Shebeen]

tracking is up and running

 

http://freedomchallenge.jumpertrax.com/