Prep for 2015 Freedom Challenge / Race to Rhodes

[Shebeen]

Slow going for theo fjord and Tim through the Gwaas valley, looks like they did some exploring already. Good to see theo and fjord getting some airtime, they riding exceptionally well. I think they are resigned to sleep at Hadley or night moves on osseberg. Appears that people have moved through it well so far so maybe mordor has been tamed!

[Ryanpmb]

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.

Marnitz is riding with Ivor Jones (and Stuart Roos until he pulled out due to injury). I don't think they (Ivor and Stuart) had any aspirations to win or ride as we've become accustomed to Marnitz riding. He's getting them to the finish.

[Dusty]

Tim and co arrived at Bucklands (5ish according to twitter), therefore he is still well placed to do most of  the river crossings in the light, late this afternoon. I wonder if that will be the physical barrier that will decide the race? If Andrew goes big today, he will be doing the Baviaans entry in the dark. Maybe Andrew is biding his time and has another plan up his sleeve.

 

Couple of cold fronts arriving which could leave plans of all the riders in tatters. 

[Trackz]

Tim and co arrived at Bucklands (5ish according to twitter), therefore he is still well placed to do most of  the river crossings in the light, late this afternoon. I wonder if that will be the physical barrier that will decide the race? If Andrew goes big today, he will be doing the Baviaans entry in the dark. Maybe Andrew is biding his time and has another plan up his sleeve.

 

Couple of cold fronts arriving which could leave plans of all the riders in tatters. 

 

Interesting development overnight hey Dusty. Not trying to exert pressure as to Moriarty's very valid point :-), but just working on Tim & Andrew's daily habits the past week we could see the following dynamics today. Tim seems to push into the night on scraps of sleep while Andrew stops at the first support station after dark and restarts in the early hours. Based on this one may dare to deduct as follows:

- Tim's big ride last night set him up very well to cross Osseberg late afternoon/early evening and based on his riding pattern he may well push on into the night to Dam Se Drift.

- Andrew started riding I est +-3am ADD 150km/14/15hrs (Toekomst-Hadley) will have him arrive Hadley +-17h00 tonight. Big decisions tonight for both. Fascinating contest, is there any more exciting MTB race in SA?

[Shebeen]

Interesting development overnight hey Dusty. Not trying to exert pressure as to Moriarty's very valid point :-), but just working on Tim & Andrew's daily habits the past week we could see the following dynamics today. Tim seems to push into the night on scraps of sleep while Andrew stops at the first support station after dark and restarts in the early hours. Based on this one may dare to deduct as follows:

- Tim's big ride last night set him up very well to cross Osseberg late afternoon/early evening and based on his riding pattern he may well push on into the night to Dam Se Drift.

- Andrew started riding I est +-3am ADD 150km/14/15hrs (Toekomst-Hadley) will have him arrive Hadley +-17h00 tonight. Big decisions tonight for both. Fascinating contest, is there any more exciting MTB race in SA?

Tim will go for osseberg today/tonight, maybe with theo and fjord still with him. Having a peleton on the willowmore prince Albert road is probably worth planning around.

 

Andrew will most likely ride to Hadley, and tackle osseberg tomorrow first light.

 

This will probably set up about a 12 hour lead on the road. Tim will keep riding deep into the night and will battle to keep the pace up. If Andrew pushes into the evenings from willowmore then we're in for a good finish.

 

Big storms coming through, Andrew might regret not riding in the clear nights when he had the chance!

[Moriarty]

Ok, sorry, point taken on the "pressure" issue, don't know Pierre at all but just meant that it would bug me a bit if everyone was constantly speculating over whether I would make a cut off or not, especially on this kind of event. I for one, am convinced that he will finish with no problem, regardless of the time.................

[Shebeen]

i think we're in for some fun once this hits!

 

http://www.ssec.wisc.edu/data/paw/clouds/eueu_soaf_clds_anim_strm.gif

[TrailWarrior]

i think we're in for some fun once this hits!

 

http://www.ssec.wisc.edu/data/paw/clouds/eueu_soaf_clds_anim_strm.gif

 

Weather like this is always going to be a player in a race like this. Going to make for interesting moves or no moves with the riders....

[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?

back to this. is Johann the first rider ever to go past his own house? I know a few PMB guys have done it before, but I think it's the case (macleods from mata did RTR, but that's a bit off the path from masakala)

[TrailWarrior]

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.

 

I fully agree...for the race snakes, let it be.

 

For others: Treating this as a personal journey of adventurous discovery, of one's self and your ability to transverse a beautiful country on a mountain bike and the changes of mother nature along with the people and characters that cross your paths, finding it in yourself to push your boundaries when you feel all sold out, finding those moments where time can stand still and you get to take it all in and realize the person you are and the journey you have undertaken is truly special indeed. Few will get to experience this in their life-time....It what makes Freedom so special....and the reason why I need to get back in 2016....to unfinished business.

 

I say, the only way to enjoy this race amongst the hardships you may encounter is to truly treat it as your own inspiring journey to yourself for yourself as you aim for your destination.

 

As said about Pierre....its the same saying; you've got one chance, one life...live it!

 

Go Pierre!!

[deanbean]

Why does it seem that the Groot River crossings are being done quicker this year. Maybe the fire last year did improve things.

[tubed]

back to this. is Johann the first rider ever to go past his own house? I know a few PMB guys have done it before, but I think it's the case (macleods from mata did RTR, but that's a bit off the path from masakala)

 

Exactly - the treachery of the RULES and how keenly he will have to observe them so not to be seen in having an advantage. I suspect the commissaires are keen to hand out some fines and he will have to eschew the mobbing crowds waiting to support him.

 

Heady times in Prince Albert tomorrow.

 

To your point - maybe rider No1 at Allendale, if he grew up there?

[tubed]

Why does it seem that the Groot River crossings are being done quicker this year. Maybe the fire last year did improve things.

 

Was wondering too if this had an effect, looking at some of the pics it still seems very thick in the river, maybe the approach is easier if the fire was there

[Dusty]

 

Weather status

[cat-i]

two cold fronts ... gale force winds ... 70 km/h ... rain ... snow ... wednesday morning ... 

[Shebeen]

Exactly - the treachery of the RULES and how keenly he will have to observe them so not to be seen in having an advantage. I suspect the commissaires are keen to hand out some fines and he will have to eschew the mobbing crowds waiting to support him.

 

Heady times in Prince Albert tomorrow.

 

To your point - maybe rider No1 at Allendale, if he grew up there?

yes and no. silly me. Rider #40 is Rider #1 and #3 older brother, and currently farms at Allendale. Time is fading my memory, but I think he didn't get to sleep in the master bedroom in 2008 when he and the 'Fat Farmers' did it(he might have been in the overflow chicken coop).

 

interestingly rider #1 in 2004 didn't get to Allendale on their first night - comrades legs meant hella hella was slow going (think they might have got a lift).