[Event] Freedom Challenge 2014

[Ryanpmb]

Last few posts on makingtrackz.wordpress.com. Guess that's about it from me for Race to Rhodes 2014.

 

PS: In the moments after the race this year I was asked if I will return. My answer was no, unlikely, as I'm not one to do events multiple times. As my sore Achilles starts healing and the scratch marks on my legs start fading, my mind remains resolute in its persistence to keep wandering off to sections of the route, replaying both good and hard times, trying to remember route sections and key navigation lines. Despite my indulgence in work, it's not letting go and if it persists along this line ...

 

How about all them scratches - Mine also only just healing up.

[Ryanpmb]

I second that motion.

 

His input convinced me to buy my beloved mary bars.

 

I will aim for 2016. You can do 2015.

 

I'll do R2R again next year then we can wonder down to the Cape in 2016... On the 616's ...

[Chro Mo]

You got it mate!

 

I'll start training now.

[johannrissik]

I second that motion.

 

His input convinced me to buy my beloved mary bars.

 

I will aim for 2016. You can do 2015.

2015

[Shebeen]

ok. race update...where we left off yesterday afternoon, glenn and tweet were neck and neck.

 

glenn stopped off at an intermediate support station at 2pm...and then only left at midnight, interesting move.

tweet continued through to the osseberg descent and grootrivier river crossings at night...AKA mordor. he got to kudukaya at midnight, but then took a long sleep and left at 8am.

 

This move has probably got him about a 4/5 hour lead. It's also the second time Glenn has taken an extended stop during daylight hours, not normal race snake technique but it is what it is and it's working for him!

 

it's odd that both leaders took such a 'long' break, and in different places. Could be many different reasons behind that dynamic, but they'd probably been pushing pretty hard to try and make it to osseberg in the day, so needed a big snooze before going hammer and tongs for the final 700km.

 

I'm guessing a finish sometime late saturday is still possible, which would be a 11.5 day result., Which is still bloody manic going. Insane I tell you, insane!

[cat-i]

Thx for the update, Shebeen - especially since the twitter-updates were scarce last night, and the live tracking wasn't working. Do you know if Glenn was sick, or just needed the rest?

[Shebeen]

Thx for the update, Shebeen - especially since the twitter-updates were scarce last night, and the live tracking wasn't working. Do you know if Glenn was sick, or just needed the rest?

not sure. twitter been my main source too this year.

 

BUT I do think that the fact that the third placed rider is probably 40+ hours behind meant that they didn't have an external factor pushing them. The record is also cheers for real now(had been highly unlikely for a while in my opinion) so no chasing martin's ghost either.

[tubed]

FC Update:

 

Technology challenges and amazements right now:

·         My attempted updates being done from Blackberry (people still use those?) in a demilitarized zone of my corporate client.

·         Half the race office being run from an emergency ward in Cape Town.

·         Other half of the race office not heard of, where is David? Probably popping up on the trail, or else the other big signing ceremony in the land - a peace accord at the Leer.

·         Jumpertrax – they are trying – think they bit off a bit more than they can chew.

·         Riders battling the Osseberg – there is no tech there – nothing, nada – hope there never ever is.

·         Support station hosts – trying to keep up via land lines and riders arriving and leaving at all hours.

 

I have tried to do a brief update below on the race via the graphic below, but its changing all the time, hope I haven’t left anyone out? (Tracey?)

 

On the race the two leaders split again last night, with Graham tackling the Osseberg in the night and after a quick sleep going through Cambria and onwards to Willowmore.

Glen opted for some sleep at Hadley and left a note at 00:30 that he was off to Cambria – interesting morning in the Kloof.

 

Many thanks to Shebeen and others for contributing while I am in a dead zone.

 

[tubed]

Graphic

[cat-i]

BUT I do think that the fact that the third placed rider is probably 40+ hours behind meant that they didn't have an external factor pushing them.

 

... and them teaming up instead of chasing each other also didn't help any record attempts either !

[Ryanpmb]

... and them teaming up instead of chasing each other also didn't help any record attempts either !

Record attempt long gone.

[johannrissik]

Thanks to Gerrit for playing a key role in resolving the Leer access issue. I've always felt that there is a better way than fighting.

 

Watch the press for the Dikwielkommando Medal Parade where Comrade Pretorius will be suitably rewarded.

[deanbean]

Thanks to Gerrit for playing a key role in resolving the Leer access issue. I've always felt that there is a better way than fighting.

 

Watch the press for the Dikwielkommando Medal Parade where Comrade Pretorius will be suitably rewarded.

Has the issue been permanantly resolved, or will the same issues keep popping up Johan.

[Peter Stephens]

Has the issue been permanantly resolved, or will the same issues keep popping up Johan.

Attitudes, opinions and activity at Die Leer concerning contested right of passage, conditional servitude etc. adds to the drama and excitement of the race. Last year was a cracker.

[johannrissik]

Has the issue been permanantly resolved, or will the same issues keep popping up Johan.

Not sure Dean, I'll find out from David in due course. Just glad there's a way forward without fighting.

[johannrissik]

Attitudes, opinions and activity at Die Leer concerning contested right of passage, conditional servitude etc. adds to the drama and excitement of the race. Last year was a cracker.

Yes, at the time it seemed wild and crazy, but not actually in anybody's long-term interests. If anything, it's shown that responsible cyclists and landowners are on the same side. I really hope that a sustainable long-term solution is worked out.