Prep for 2015 Freedom Challenge / Race to Rhodes

[Marnitz Nienaber]

 A friendly reminder to everyone about the upcoming info session due
to take place in Johannesburg on the 6th November.

Apart from a brief introduction to what the Freedom Challenge is all
about, the evening will also give you some insight into what it takes
to prepare for a successful ride, with previous finishers sharing
their valuable experience from their own adventures out on the trail.
 

Date: 6th November 2014
Venue: John Burnett Insurance Brokers
44 Restanwold Ave, Saxonwold, Johannesburg.
Time: 18h00 for 18h30.
All are welcome to attend, so please RSVP
 

meryl@freedomchallenge.org.za

 

 

[Marnitz Nienaber]

 A friendly reminder to everyone about the upcoming info session due

to take place in Johannesburg on the 6th November.

 

Apart from a brief introduction to what the Freedom Challenge is all

about, the evening will also give you some insight into what it takes

to prepare for a successful ride, with previous finishers sharing

their valuable experience from their own adventures out on the trail.

 

Date: 6th November 2014

Venue: John Burnett Insurance Brokers

44 Restanwold Ave, Saxonwold, Johannesburg.

Time: 18h00 for 18h30.

All are welcome to attend, so please RSVP

 

meryl@freedomchallenge.org.za

 

 

 

You may have heard of the Freedom Challenge – the Race Across South Africa or possibly the Race to Rhodes. You may have heard of some of the crazy adventures as riders follow the Freedom Trail for 2300km through some of the more remote parts of South Africa every winter… And you may have thought that this is something different but it’s definitely not for me – it just sounds nuts! Well despite what you may have heard and what you may think of it, the Freedom Challenge is a ride that anyone can sign up for and possibly more surprisingly, just about anyone can finish. It’s tough, make no mistake but with the right attitude and careful preparation, it’s achievable for most people who call themselves mountain bikers.

 

What you don’t need: You don’t need any superpowers like being able to see in the dark, you don’t need to have the latest and lightest carbon superbike; you don’t need to be an insomniac who can pedal for 20 hours between powernaps…

 

What you do need: you need to know what you’re signing up for, you need the right gear to handle the cold, need to know how to read a map and you also need to have done at least a bit of training, both on and off the bike, if you seriously want to attempt this thing – get those things right and you have every chance of getting to the end and collecting your coveted Finisher’s Blanket.

 

Where to from here? The best way is to learn from those who have gone before and you’ll be surprised to see how willing they are to share their hard earned wisdom with you. The way to do this is to attend one of the FC Info Sessions in a city near you – there you’ll meet riders who have ridden the Freedom Challenge and finished it, so when they speak, it will be from experience. (We’ll be sure to keep the racers, singlespeeders and other lunatics locked up for the night). They’ll tell you how they did it, what to do and what not to do and afterwards you’ll be able to pick their brains to satisfy your growing curiosity. This is an evening to help you decide if you’re even interested, so bring that curiosity and leave your preconceptions at the door – the Freedom Challenge will show you how to put the adventure back into your riding. Be warned though, when the bug bites, it does so hard, and you may want to keep your calendar open for next winter…

[Trackz]

To help fuel the debate of Flat vs Clipless pedals for FC. Interesting result & some food for thought.

http://www.globalcyclingnetwork.com/videos/sec-features/what-is-the-most-efficient-pedalling-style-we-test-flat-vs-clipless-pedals-gcn-does-science/

[tombeej]

Unfortunately I'll be away for this one....

 

Freedom Challenge Information Evening at Giba Gorge

 

On the 3rd of December, we will be having a Freedom Challenge Information evening where riders that have previously finished the race, will talk about their experience and you will be able to ask questions.

 

The talk will start at 18h00 in the conference room. For more information, click here or email meryl@freedomchallenge.org.za.

[johannrissik]

To help fuel the debate of Flat vs Clipless pedals for FC. Interesting result & some food for thought.

http://www.globalcyclingnetwork.com/videos/sec-features/what-is-the-most-efficient-pedalling-style-we-test-flat-vs-clipless-pedals-gcn-does-science/

Now we need is a study that compares walking/running in mtb shoes vs trail shoes...   

[Marnitz Nienaber]

Now we need is a study that compares walking/running in mtb shoes vs trail shoes...  

 

Sometimes crawling or slipping and sliding are much faster than walking or running....

[Shebeen]

To help fuel the debate of Flat vs Clipless pedals for FC. Interesting result & some food for thought.

http://www.globalcyclingnetwork.com/videos/sec-features/what-is-the-most-efficient-pedalling-style-we-test-flat-vs-clipless-pedals-gcn-does-science/

i'm not even going to bother watching. am guessing it's between 5 and 10% more efficient with clips, BUT the shoes you ride with on your flats is probably the biggest variable. Running shoes, designed to cushion the jarring of a running action pounding bodyweight on tarmac are the dumbest thing ever to ride with if you're looking to save energy. EVER

[deanbean]

i'm not even going to bother watching. am guessing it's between 5 and 10% more efficient with clips, BUT the shoes you ride with on your flats is probably the biggest variable. Running shoes, designed to cushion the jarring of a running action pounding bodyweight on tarmac are the dumbest thing ever to ride with if you're looking to save energy. EVER

The video actually shows the opposite, flats on a road bike, with disco slippers. Best is listening to the rationalising.

[Marnitz Nienaber]

Eventually my recovery time has run out and I need to start all over again, tried my luck at my second 6km run this week, nearly died, at some stage in the distant future it will get better........

 

It seems to be very important not to take 4 months recovery, maybe 3 months recovery will be better......

 

   

[Ryanpmb]

After much planning and consultation with the support stations, we are happy to announce a new Freedom Challenge event, the Race from Rhodes (fondly referred to in the race office as the ‘Stormberg  Sprint’) scheduled for 19-30 March 2015.

 

 

The event will start in Rhodes and pass through the Stormberg section of the Freedom Trail via Chesneywold, Slaapkranz, Moordenaarspoort, Kranskop, Brosterlea, Romansfontein, Hofmeyr, Elandsberg and Stuttgart before reaching the finish in Cradock.

 

It will follow the same non-stop race format as the Race to Rhodes and riders will be able to send 2l ice-cream containers ahead to each support station. Riders will be sent off in batches over consecutive start days. The cut-off for riders to reach Cradock will be 6 days and we anticipate the winners getting there in less than 3 days.

 

Dates: 1st batch 19 March / last batch 22 March 2015.

 

The exact route will be the same as for the Stormberg section of the Race across South Africa - from Rhodes to Stuttgart and up over the Schurfteberg, with a different ending to reach the finish in Cradock. This will be a navigation race where maps, a compass and narratives are to be used – no GPS navigation will be allowed.

 

Distances between support stations:

 

Rhodes to Slaapkranz (via Chesneywold) – 105km

 

Slaapkranz to Kranskop (via Moordenaarspoort) – 96km

 

Kranskop to Romansfontein (via Brosterlea) – 131km

 

Romansfontein to Elandsberg (via Hofmeyr) – 105km

 

Elandsberg to Stuttgart – 67km

 

Stuttgart to Cradock (via Schurfteburg) – 80km

 

Total = 584km

 

For the inaugural event, entries will be limited. We are inviting previous finishers of the Race across South Africa and the Race to Rhodes to enter - so if you own a finisher’s blanket or a whip, this event is for you.

 

As part of the entry, all entrants will receive the following – a branded race shirt, delivery of your race boxes to support stations (from the Cape Town race office), transport of one small bag from the start to finish and a mystery finisher’s item.

 

Your entry fee includes the pre-race dinner and accommodation in Rhodes before you start as well as the finisher’s dinner and accommodation in Cradock after you finish.

 

Entry Fee – R6500 per rider.

 

To enter, please send an email to meryl@freedomchallenge.org.za indicating your interest in taking part in this new event. We will send you an entry form with all the additional info required.

[Ryanpmb]

So...

 

Who are we seeing next Wednesday at Giba Gorge?

[Dusty]

 

After much planning and consultation with the support stations, we are happy to announce a new Freedom Challenge event, the Race from Rhodes (fondly referred to in the race office as the ‘Stormberg  Sprint’) scheduled for 19-30 March 2015.

 

 

The event will start in Rhodes and pass through the Stormberg section of the Freedom Trail via Chesneywold, Slaapkranz, Moordenaarspoort, Kranskop, Brosterlea, Romansfontein, Hofmeyr, Elandsberg and Stuttgart before reaching the finish in Cradock.

 

It will follow the same non-stop race format as the Race to Rhodes and riders will be able to send 2l ice-cream containers ahead to each support station. Riders will be sent off in batches over consecutive start days. The cut-off for riders to reach Cradock will be 6 days and we anticipate the winners getting there in less than 3 days.

 

Dates: 1st batch 19 March / last batch 22 March 2015.

 

The exact route will be the same as for the Stormberg section of the Race across South Africa - from Rhodes to Stuttgart and up over the Schurfteberg, with a different ending to reach the finish in Cradock. This will be a navigation race where maps, a compass and narratives are to be used – no GPS navigation will be allowed.

 

Distances between support stations:

 

Rhodes to Slaapkranz (via Chesneywold) – 105km

 

Slaapkranz to Kranskop (via Moordenaarspoort) – 96km

 

Kranskop to Romansfontein (via Brosterlea) – 131km

 

Romansfontein to Elandsberg (via Hofmeyr) – 105km

 

Elandsberg to Stuttgart – 67km

 

Stuttgart to Cradock (via Schurfteburg) – 80km

 

Total = 584km

 

For the inaugural event, entries will be limited. We are inviting previous finishers of the Race across South Africa and the Race to Rhodes to enter - so if you own a finisher’s blanket or a whip, this event is for you.

 

As part of the entry, all entrants will receive the following – a branded race shirt, delivery of your race boxes to support stations (from the Cape Town race office), transport of one small bag from the start to finish and a mystery finisher’s item.

 

Your entry fee includes the pre-race dinner and accommodation in Rhodes before you start as well as the finisher’s dinner and accommodation in Cradock after you finish.

 

Entry Fee – R6500 per rider.

 

To enter, please send an email to meryl@freedomchallenge.org.za indicating your interest in taking part in this new event. We will send you an entry form with all the additional info required.

 

Stunning section of the Frredom Trail and great bang for your buck. Awesome accomodation on this section. In my opinion this is worth touring even if you cant race it.

[Ryanpmb]

Reminder of the Durban Info Evening at Giba Gorge tonight. 6pm.

[Potgiem]

Hi all I will be in Plett over new year and am considering to try do a recce of the Bucklands Cambria section. Who can I contact to advise, plan or join me on the ride? Looking at the first week of Jan.

[Ryanpmb]

Hi all I will be in Plett over new year and am considering to try do a recce of the Bucklands Cambria section. Who can I contact to advise, plan or join me on the ride? Looking at the first week of Jan.

 

Start by contacting Meryl...

[Pax_]

Hi all I will be in Plett over new year and am considering to try do a recce of the Bucklands Cambria section. Who can I contact to advise, plan or join me on the ride? Looking at the first week of Jan.

Hi, 

 

First let me say that I have no FC experience, but I have travelled (4x4 and / or cycled) most of this section.  

My opinion, if this is a recce ride for you, don't bother too much with the Bucklands to top of Grootrivier poort section, from a navigation point of view.  Its a tough cycle but you cant really get lost.

I do believe your bigger challenge would be to navigate the Osseberg route down to Cambria.  I have only ever did this in a 4x4 and even then you sometimes lose the track, with some looong river crossings, exiting the river 70m + up / down stream from where you entered.  Also the route was very overgrown.  Not sure you should attempt this section alone.

If your time is limited, rather scout the road from Bucklands to top of Grootrivier poort by car and then cycle the 4x4 route to familiarise yourself with it.  

 

Good luck!