G.S.W Posted July 18, 2014 Posted July 18, 2014 This would depend on the shoes you're going to wear. Shimano Gore Tex work well and are waterproof, my feet were warm and dry even on mornings when my water bottles froze with-in 10 minutes of setting out. Remember these socks are water proof so dont wear them on days when you have a few rivers to cross! 1 medium ankle mid-weight1 Knee length mid-weightPack a cheap cotton socks in your box to wear inside the SS socks, dump then at support stations to keep feet fresh and save on washing. I had knee and ITB issues on my first RtR and found that by wearing my cycling (Shimano Mt71) shoes to work helped my feet get used to them and also helped break them in, RASA was a bit easier on the knees and feet the next time round.
dirtrider Posted July 18, 2014 Posted July 18, 2014 This would depend on the shoes you're going to wear. Shimano Gore Tex work well and are waterproof, my feet were warm and dry even on mornings when my water bottles froze with-in 10 minutes of setting out. Remember these socks are water proof so dont wear them on days when you have a few rivers to cross! 1 medium ankle mid-weight1 Knee length mid-weightPack a cheap cotton socks in your box to wear inside the SS socks, dump then at support stations to keep feet fresh and save on washing. I had knee and ITB issues on my first RtR and found that by wearing my cycling (Shimano Mt71) shoes to work helped my feet get used to them and also helped break them in, RASA was a bit easier on the knees and feet the next time round. Ok thanks I will also look at the Gore Tex option . Will be wearing my trusty Salomon shoes with flats .
Percyzn Posted July 18, 2014 Posted July 18, 2014 Still got the idea to do it on the SS in my head despite what everybody tells me . I see there are many diffirent SealSkinz socks on the market , normal Ankle height socks the right ones ? oooh and I see you get light weight and mid weight as well !! I have ridden some hectic stuff on SS, and when I sit at my desk and look at pictures of the route, I think phew, it would be awesome on SS, then when I am riding on the route, its 21h00, and we been going for 14 hours, no support station in sight, and we only just turning the cranks with a 24 on the front and 36 on the back, I know that leaving the SS tucked away safely at home, far from any freedom trails was a good call. Call me soft.... yes, there are many sealskins, try them and see what works for you, but seem the general consensus is knee length, mid weight. That was this year tho, weather conditions can change..
Ryanpmb Posted July 18, 2014 Posted July 18, 2014 Sleeping out is always a possibility!1 wrong turn and Robbie and I had to ride about 85 Km extra on one stage, fortunately we were re-routed on district roads so navigation was not a problem but it cost us big time.Yes - it is always a possibility. My reference to being prepared, though, refers to being able to make the decision to keep going because... you have lights, food, maps etc etc... I have been stuck out on the Trail at 1am after a looooong day in the saddle and the temptation was there to sleep out. Fortunately my riding partner had the sense not too and we had the means (lights, etc) to continue. I maintain, aside from a progress altering injury, you need not sleep out (unless that's your plan)...
dirtrider Posted July 19, 2014 Posted July 19, 2014 Tutorial on How to make a Map board to mount on your handlebars for Adventure Racing, MTBO or bicycle touring. Best map board ever! Thanks Chris Fisher Ok finished . Will post pics on monday to get some feedback on size and mount of thing .
dirtrider Posted July 21, 2014 Posted July 21, 2014 Ok Map holder almost finished . Think I will drop it a little bit and make it a bit smaller . Whats do the experts think about putting a bag as per attached pic ? I loaded my 2 man tent in just to give it some volume and get some idea about how the bike handles with the weight on there .
G.S.W Posted July 21, 2014 Posted July 21, 2014 Ok Map holder almost finished . Think I will drop it a little bit and make it a bit smaller . Whats do the experts think about putting a bag as per attached pic ? I loaded my 2 man tent in just to give it some volume and get some idea about how the bike handles with the weight on there . Looks good, the less weight you have on your back the better.Just make sure you can carry the bike, to balance properly may require a handlebar bag!
dirtrider Posted July 21, 2014 Posted July 21, 2014 Right my application to enter the race submitted .
Marnitz Nienaber Posted July 24, 2014 Posted July 24, 2014 I love the Freedom Challenge !!! My advice will be the following.The most important thing is to know how to read a map !!! You might have the very best kit, the best bike and the best engine, but if you don't know how to read a map it's all worthless...... When you are a accomplished map reader you may start with your training program.My training program work as follow, you start with little and work your way up to max. The Freedom Challenge is about endurance, you will never sprint anywhere believe me. While riding your bike you do it with full kit to get use to the weight and the handling of your loaded bike.Monday restThuesday 2 hours bike + 1.5 hours runWednesday 2 hours bikeThursday 2 hours bike + 1.5 hours runFriday 2 Hours bikeSaturday 5 - 7 hours bikeSunday 8 - 12 hours bikeIt's all about time, not distance and about endurance training, start with what you're capable and work you way to your maximum. I would also from time to time chop a pile of wood for upper body strength, which you will need when portaging and swinging your bike over endless gates and fencesGet the best light weight kit you can afford. Carry as much as possible on your bike and save your ass..... Buy the best light system available. Pack your humor you will definitely need it.......
dirtrider Posted July 25, 2014 Posted July 25, 2014 I love the Freedom Challenge !!! My advice will be the following.The most important thing is to know how to read a map !!! You might have the very best kit, the best bike and the best engine, but if you don't know how to read a map it's all worthless...... When you are a accomplished map reader you may start with your training program.My training program work as follow, you start with little and work your way up to max. The Freedom Challenge is about endurance, you will never sprint anywhere believe me. While riding your bike you do it with full kit to get use to the weight and the handling of your loaded bike.Monday restThuesday 2 hours bike + 1.5 hours runWednesday 2 hours bikeThursday 2 hours bike + 1.5 hours runFriday 2 Hours bikeSaturday 5 - 7 hours bikeSunday 8 - 12 hours bikeIt's all about time, not distance and about endurance training, start with what you're capable and work you way to your maximum. I would also from time to time chop a pile of wood for upper body strength, which you will need when portaging and swinging your bike over endless gates and fencesGet the best light weight kit you can afford. Carry as much as possible on your bike and save your ass..... Buy the best light system available. Pack your humor you will definitely need it....... Thanks . I will start with my map reading training this weekend . So if you see somebody walking around Groenkloof looking lost , that's me .
Shebeen Posted July 25, 2014 Posted July 25, 2014 Right my application to enter the race submitted .good man!
Shebeen Posted July 25, 2014 Posted July 25, 2014 some great momentum here on this thread...just to back up quite a bit of what has been said: training - get used to riding with full kit. infact it's not a bad idea to go everywhere with a loaded backpack on.lights - i don't think you need to go full monty befok on lighting. i'm actually totally against any rechargeable system for this race - a)you now need to carry a charger b)it's more light than needed. rather use something that takes single use batteries, I much prefer AA as they are more economical both in price and power/size. I would use my black diamond icon(think it's about 200lm max), but did the race with a myo xp, 85lumens max and didn't have issues. tweet won the race with a an even smaller light this year, and did loads of nightriding. DR, that rack is fine, just don't overload it or something will come a cropper. i would ride with a normal size pack, say 30l but keep it very empty. if you have issues you can always revert to that. also can put the stuff in your pack for the bike portages to unload the bike temporarily. but ja, try break it in testing, if it passes then go for it. DR. lots of mtb orienteering events in the big smoke, think there's even one this weekendalso Lisa de Speville does nav coaching. she's been round the block in AR circles and has been doing courses for just as long!. http://adventurelisa.blogspot.com/2014/07/night-navigation-coaching-session-tues.html
dirtrider Posted July 25, 2014 Posted July 25, 2014 Thanks Shebeen . I also had a rethink about the lights etc last week and am scaling down . Thug also recommended that lady for a nav course , but I will first try the teach yourself route and will make a call end of November if it does not work out . There's no turning back now , made payment and send all the info this morning to Meryl . Now I just need to figure out how this Blog stuff works . Apparently that's the in thing !!
Thug Posted July 25, 2014 Posted July 25, 2014 I made myself one of those map boards to use in the upcoming Full Moon AR in a couple of weeks.
Shebeen Posted July 25, 2014 Posted July 25, 2014 Suppose this light should be fine ?sort of. you need one on your head too a)to watch out for zombies on the side of the roadb)to read your map
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