Prep for 2015 Freedom Challenge / Race to Rhodes

[Chro Mo]

Ja, no-one mention Johann.....it's all Pierre...Pierre ....Pierre

 

Kidding! Go Pierre! (and Johann)  

[Grebel]

And Pierre is back on the tracker!!!

 

Go Boy!!!

[cat-i]

And Pierre is back on the tracker!!!

 

Go Boy!!!

 

Cycling with Andrew Barnes. Quite a bit to go still till his lunch spot.

 

Johann nailing the descent into the Baviaanskloof - no nav issues there. Cycling with a huge group of people, including Gary Green of Berg&Bush.

[Shebeen]

While all this speculation about hours rested vs hours ridden, mind games, strategy, in/ out of sight is all fine, surely we are missing the big question here.

Or are we not supposed to talk/ speculate about it?

 

 

I mean surely the question is 'what happens when Johann enters the district or when he gets Prince Albert?'

 

I have heard that there is intense speculation in the dorp about the following:

 

·         Dennehof/ Home/ Motorhome – apparently the UCI is watching the last option with a hawkeye

 

·         What sort of barriers to erect along the main street to keep the crowds back – protruding footings or not in the event of a sprint

 

·         Who gets to service his bike? – rumours are that Claas with the bobbejaan spanner is designated, but Linsay is waiting with the powerhose ready

 

·         Will he enjoy an escort up the Swartberg and is there really a truce with Ketoors, or does he harbour a year long resentment despite his bosses command?

 

Surely these are the key questions?

there will be a queue of wally's wanting to check out his workshop. he's been talking about it for four days/500km now and it has to be seen!

[Shebeen]

here is the vibe around cut-offs. FROM the big (quiet) guy himself!

 

RTR | RASA 2015 NEWSFEED

Deconstructing the RASA cut offs

With a 26 day overall cut off time, RASA is a long event. While that may be stating the obvious, it also implies is that there is a lot of time available for riders to complete the challenge and that’s the catch, in order to be at the finish line in under 26 days, a rider needs to make steady progress along the trail every day.

To encourage riders to keep moving forward, there are interim cut offs that apply along the route. They are worked out according to the level of difficulty of the various sections of the trail and how factors like the weather may affect a rider’s progress along the trail. They are not intended to penalise riders, just to ensure that they do not fall too far behind and in so doing lose any chance of finishing.

The cut offs also ensure that support stations don’t have to stay open longer than necessary to accommodate a lone rider who has fallen off the back. Having riders arriving at all times of the day or night can be quite disruptive but less so if it all happens within a reasonable time period.

What happens when a rider misses the cut off?

The only absolute cut off is the 26 day finish at Diemersfontein – a rider has to get to Diemersfontein in 26 days or less to get the finisher’s blanket (no discretions and no exceptions)

If a rider misses an interim cut off, they would normally be expected to leave the trail but under certain circumstances they may still be allowed to continue:

- If they are the last rider on course and then miss a cut off, they are expected to leave the trail, since the support stations will not stay open for a rider after they miss a cut off.

- If a rider misses a cut off but there are still other riders behind them, then the support stations will still be open for the other rider’s sake, so they may continue. If they are overtaken and end up at the back, then they must leave the trail.

 

For RASA the following cut offs apply:

Rhodes - 8 days

Hofmeyr – 12/13days*

Willowmore – 19 days

Diemersfontein finish – 26 days

 

* the Hofmeyr cut off  is flexible and at the discretion of the race office – normally 12 days would be allowed. In the event of severe weather or a rider struggling but still making an effort, then 13 days may be allowed.

The clock starts in Pietermaritzburg at 6am on any particular RASA start day. So a day (24h) only ends at 6am on the next morning, not at midnight as most would assume. This gives riders a further chance of pushing through the night to make a cut off the next morning if necessary. To arrive in time or ‘beat’ a cut off, the rider needs to arrive before the end of the 8th/13th/19th/26th day at the designated support station – so by 6am on that day. If they manage to get there and still push on, then they are effectively ahead of that cut off.

2015 RASA riders currently flirting with cut offs are:

1. Pierre Oosthuizen: started in Batch B on Monday 8 June

-       got to Rhodes in 7h 12h 5min

-       got to Hofmeyr in 12d 14h 11min (discretionary 13 day)

-       needs to get to Willowmore by 6am on Saturday 27 June

-       needs to get to Diemersfontein by 6am on Saturday 4 July

 

2. Mike Roy and John Bowen: started in Batch A on Sunday 7 June

-       got to Rhodes in 7h 15h 0min

-       got to Hofmeyr in 12d 11h 15min (discretionary 13 day)

-       need to get to Willowmore by 6am on Friday 26 June

-       need to get to Diemersfontein by 6am on Friday 3 July

The cut offs are there to keep riders moving forward and to give every rider a chance to get a finisher’s blanket – riders who fall behind schedule for whatever reason, are expected to try and make up the lost time and get to the finish in 26 days or less. 

[cat-i]

Did P just stop at Gegun?  

 

Or is he going to continue to Toekomst later tonight?

[Trackz]

Did P just stop at Gegun?  

 

Or is he going to continue to Toekomst later tonight?

 

The fact that we are on this discussion topic means we are all a little nuts and eternal optimists. So there's the elephant in the room that suggests its looking bleak for Pierre to make the 19 days cutoff to Willowmore, but none of us really want to hear that elephant, so someone please shoot it!

 

Someone asked about the Support Stations. You are so alone and with your own thoughts for so long that they are like safe havens and once you settle its very difficult to leave again. You will notice those on a mission are in/out in 20/30min flat. You say hallo, eat/drink, top up from ice cream box, lube the chain and leave asap. Word has it that Martin Dreyer during his record ride against Alex Harris didn't even enter, he stood outside asking them to bring him food outside as the already tired mind does not need to be tempted by the creature comforts inside.

 

With that in mind, if Pierre's mind has capitulated to the Gegun comforts (Race Office just posted he's staying), which no-one will blame him for, he's likely to stay. Which leaves him where, assuming the cutoff is enforced?

 

He needs to get to Willowmore by Sat, 27th, 6h00. (My previous ride plan was correct but with wrong dates). If he stays Gegun tonight, it leaves him +- 420km to cover Wed/Thu/Fri, ie 140km/day. He also has a timing challenge with Osseberg.

If he was going for it a schedule may be:

24/6 Gegun-Bucklands 159km

25/6 Bucklands-Cambria 96km

27/6 Cambria-Willowmore 162km

 

It is not impossible but he's going to have to sacrifice some sleep and do some night riding. Still holding thumbs.

 

C'mon Pierre. Half of South Africa is rooting for you!

[Moriarty]

Perhaps a different viewpoint:

 

Lay off on pressuring the poor guy for heavens sake, does anyone really believe that he's going to stop riding even if he doesn't make the cut, and I think it's HIGHLY unlikely that the race office is going to cut someone who is clearly in seventh heaven on the trail, irrespective of his "progress".

[Trackz]

Two further points.

 

Mike Roy/John Bowen are facing a similar cutoff threat to Dirtrider. They started a day before him & need to reach Willowmore by Friday, 26th 6h00. They are en route to Kleinpoort which may be too far out to hit Osseberg in the day light unless they basically go non-stop from here. So very similar situation to Pierre. Rooting for them too!

 

Racing snakes. Tim James has caught a break which could decide the race IMHO, he caught up with Fjord/Theo today who have ridden very strong and they are joining him this evening riding through the Gwaas Valley to Kleinpoort. Having company and help to get over/through the many gates is a massive boost. If they stick together, they are likely to reach Kleinpoort around midnight/1am. It could just set Tim up to get to Osseberg last light. Big day tomorrow for the race lead!

[Trackz]

Perhaps a different viewpoint:

 

Lay off on pressuring the poor guy for heavens sake, does anyone really believe that he's going to stop riding even if he doesn't make the cut, and I think it's HIGHLY unlikely that the race office is going to cut someone who is clearly in seventh heaven on the trail, irrespective of his "progress".

 

Who is pressuring him? We are discussing the dynamics of the race as they develop and in context of the rules of the race. It helps everyone to understand how the race works and the challenges/pressures the riders experience.

 

Fully agree with you re cutoff, you can read into the post on the FC website that Glenn has started laying the groundwork to justify why he is likely to allow Pierre/Mike/John to continue even if they miss the cutoffs. Pierre's FC journey has been an inspiration to many, all of us want him to continue and reach Diemersfontein.

 

Maybe my passion & enthusiasm for this race has me oversharing. Apology.

[cat-i]

Perhaps a different viewpoint:

 

Lay off on pressuring the poor guy for heavens sake, does anyone really believe that he's going to stop riding even if he doesn't make the cut, and I think it's HIGHLY unlikely that the race office is going to cut someone who is clearly in seventh heaven on the trail, irrespective of his "progress".

 

Sorry boet. I promise I won't pressure you if you do this ride next year

[Ryanpmb]

Perhaps a different viewpoint:

 

Lay off on pressuring the poor guy for heavens sake, does anyone really believe that he's going to stop riding even if he doesn't make the cut, and I think it's HIGHLY unlikely that the race office is going to cut someone who is clearly in seventh heaven on the trail, irrespective of his "progress".

 

Where's the pressure? Have you met him? Read his tweets? He's a helleva character and this probably plays right into his hands.

 

He's probably loving all this support. I met him at his race dinner and saw him on day 1 again. Top chap and must be a laugh if you're fortunate enough to trip some of the trail with him.

 

That said, as stated in Glenn's statement - if he's last on course after a cutoff, he will get taken off.

 

PS: during my RTR there were a few posts in a similar thread by hubbers regarding my (and my partners) progress which got us up and back on the bike the next morning... can only imagine how it must help in the full RASA.

[Slowbee]

i really hope this weather moving through CT tonight does not hit him during the day. 

 

60km/hr winds predicted northwest as well.

 

Common Pierre! Get a solid nights rest and then hit this head on for the next few days.

 

Oh for those who think he might not make the cut off. He still holds the record for the longest ride on the desert dash 24hr ride. He did it in 23H50 something. According to him, plenty of time to spare.

[Grebel]

I was lucky enough to meet Pierre while up visiting family a few years ago. Got a set of wheels from him for a build I was busy with. From what I saw I doubt very much that he's the type of guy that lets anybody pressure him in to doing anything that he doesn't want to do.

[tubed]

I was lucky enough to meet Pierre while up visiting family a few years ago. Got a set of wheels from him for a build I was busy with. From what I saw I doubt very much that he's the type of guy that lets anybody pressure him in to doing anything that he doesn't want to do.

Agree with that.

 

Pierre made it clear from the start he was going to do it his way.

 

The personal process of riding across the country cannot be measured in days, hours or minutes. I suspect there is a whole lot more going on there than any thought about cut-off.

 

I suspect Marnitz is doing something similar right now. Its great to watch people not get caught up in the 'race', but rather to ride the Freedom Trail.

[Shebeen]

And there was me thinking the explanation from glenn would clear it up. No one is getting pulled off at Willowmore, they do need to do some double ups to make it under the 26 day cut-off however.

 

Not easy, but no one said it would be. Race speeds up from here, can comfortably do 4/5 stages in the last 2 days