2016 Freedom Challenge RASA & RTR Prep

[Dusty]

Looks like batch A could be the first to see snow this year, with this cold front coming in .. Reckon the barkley boys will know what to do

Yes, there is a fair amount of experience in that batch. They haven't put a foot wrong so far. Getting up early and getting in early.

[garethochse]

Thanks to all who helped with advice, tips, etc. Loved the RTR. 

[Shebeen]

Thanks to all who helped with advice, tips, etc. Loved the RTR. 

awesome....now let's get those trail tales out now pleeez before we get inundated with the race snakes on monday!

[Rob Mortimer]

Not sure if anyone is following this on the tracker, but some awesome performances of endurance on the go at the moment

 

Anton finished at Rhodes with a mind numbing and completely unbelievable 60 hours.  Now it is looking like Martin Dreyer is going to smash that brand new record attempt by as much as another 12 hours and come in around 48 hours!!!!

 

From someone who has just done this ...... I just cannot fathom it, it is a truly remarkable feat of mental and physical fortitude.

[Slowbee]

I hope these guys packed warm gear. CT is freezing at the moment. And there is cold weather with plenty rain on the way during the week.

 

I wonder if some guys might change the strategy and push as far as possible before the dodgy weather hits

[Shebeen]

Not sure if anyone is following this on the tracker, but some awesome performances of endurance on the go at the moment

 

Anton finished at Rhodes with a mind numbing and completely unbelievable 60 hours.  Now it is looking like Martin Dreyer is going to smash that brand new record attempt by as much as another 12 hours and come in around 48 hours!!!!

 

From someone who has just done this ...... I just cannot fathom it, it is a truly remarkable feat of mental and physical fortitude.

madness really. the race snakes must be happy that martin is stopping there!

 

looks like ou ballies mike and TimJ did the ntsikeni double from batch G - who can emulate that from today's final batch H?

[Shebeen]

https://twitter.com/RidingFor5/status/742285714335932416

[Shebeen]

https://twitter.com/freedom_trail/status/742232465817907201

 

That's martin dreyer at the finish of the Ride to rhodes this morning.

 

the record for this stand alone category of people stopping at Rhodes before this year was mike woolnough, in 80 hours.

 

anton mayberry smashed this the other day - taking 20 hours off to peg it down to 60.

then martin pulled in this morning to take it to 49 hours.

 

seems easy, neh?!

Well in 2012, when Martin and Alex Harris did their game of chasing each other across the country and took the overall record down to 10days 16 hours, they got to Rhodes in 55 and 58 hours respectively.

 

edit:( the suggested touring time is 130 hours and even that is tough going!)

[tubed]

Some very random thoughts* from my side:

 

* these are purely opinions and not facts

 

I was very grateful for a last minute entry - but lacked the fitness which I would have preferred.

I set out with the goal of navigating and taking in as much of the route as possible - after 4 years the memories fade - glad to say we mostly nailed the navigation. Correcting pretty much soon after we erred.

I rode with Rob Mortimer and we had a really lekker time - he's a beast on a rigid single speed and his knowledge of plants and birds was a special bonus.

We rode pretty comfortably - in each day before dark.

If you want to ride at night, then you need to be very certain of the route - otherwise you're just kidding yourself and are better off sleeping/ recovering.

Navigation remains the biggest differentiator in this part of the route - I am sure we will see that in the next few days.

 

Other factors are:

fitness - there are now some very good roadies pitching up and they have all the speed - often just being hamstrung by speeding off in the wrong direction !

language - I have no doubt that Martin D hardly needs to ask for directions, but if he does he wont resort to a long-winded series of flailing arms to hopefully figure out the route - it will be 'asked and answered'

equipment - despite the best prep equipment is wrongly chosen or it fails - be it lights, frames, shoes, lack of maps/ narratives, bike computers

 

The race remains a humbling experience - less talk and more action - if you are thinking of doing it, by all means get into the vibe pre the start, but better to ride a big game than talk a big one - it will bite you in the arse - so rather don't tempt the beast.

 

First rule is to finish - never get ahead of yourself, by all means push the boundaries, but it seems like day1 is the area of tummy troubles and cramps and day 3/4 for chest infections, hopefully a sensible ride on both of these days will see you making Rhodes or Wellington.

Otherwise the side of the road - it will be your parking spot for a few stops.

 

The race is evolving - in a good way - familiar faces is charge and trying to tweak every bit of the experience - their main goal is to get you to finish - within the integrity/ rules of the race.

 

I rode with Frank for a bit - an honest mistake by a stand up guy - he would not have needed a gps. Hope he comes back - there is unfinished business there - difference is he will welcomed back with open arms. Your whip is waiting Frank.

 

I see the corporate bigwigs have just finished - the nice thing is that their smiles seem to indicate they loved it as much as anyone, sure there is no VIP chill area - but the sense of achievement is worth so much more. Looks like they had a blast.

 

There have been many organisational improvements, but the soul if the race remains untouched - in my opinion it faces challenges for sure - mostly positive ones. The people and the trail remain the biggest asset and are as enthusiastic as ever.

 

Rhodes is really nowhere - be prepared for that, I could not get a cup of coffee, a bar one or a coke in the town in the afternoon, thankfully the Rubicon guest house is well stocked, but you really do need an exit plan out of Rhodes (thanks Rob!), otherwise its probably quicker to keep riding.

 

One of the things which strikes me about the race is the layers of experience it offers, your first time is about finishing, but after that there is the social ride option, there is the navigation alone option, there is ride with your dad or mom option, there is the guide some mates option, there is the fauna and flora option, there is the wyntrein/ Zamalek option, there is the race yourself dood option, there is the go all the way option - so really within the "adventure guaranteed" framework there are so many options. I reckon book early from this year on.

 

Lastly a couple of special mentions:

 

Well done to Rob Mortimer, a whip, a single speed finish and a promise never to say you have crap navigation skills. See you in Wellington. go here http://www.sportsmanswarehouse.co.za/product/first-ascent-mens-free-rider-mountain-bike-shoes/4174

 

To Gareth Ochse - my sources tell me you were bloody strong, well done.

 

To Bruce - I saw you were bloody strong and knew your way around your back yard - kudos, a real asset to the trail in the PMB area.

 

To Ray - those feelings must be raw today - I feel for you - dammit that's a tough call, but at least the doc made it for you. Your blanket awaits next year... 

 

To Pierre - I know you will read this later, glad the first day's drama is aside, you have a job to do and a long way to go, the bunch looks good, cmon now, keep focus and finish this!!

 

Ok that's me for now......thanks to all involved

 

edit:spelling

[Shebeen]

Some very random thoughts* from my side:

 

* these are purely opinions and not facts

 

I was very grateful for a last minute entry - but lacked the fitness which I would have preferred.

I set out with the goal of navigating and taking in as much of the route as possible - after 4 years the memories fade - glad to say we mostly nailed the navigation. Correcting pretty much soon after we erred.

I rode with Rob Mortimer and we had a really lekker time - he's a beast on a rigid single speed and his knowledge of plants and birds was a special bonus.

We rode pretty comfortably - in each day before dark.

If you want to ride at night, then you need to be very certain of the route - otherwise you're just kidding yourself and are better off sleeping/ recovering.

Navigation remains the biggest differentiator in this part of the route - I am sure we will see that in the next few days.

 

Other factors are:

fitness - there are now some very good roadies pitching up and they have all the speed - often just being hamstrung by speeding off in the wrong direction !

language - I have no doubt that Martin D hardly needs to ask for directions, but if he does he wont resort to a long-winded series of flailing arms to hopefully figure out the route - it will be 'asked and answered'

equipment - despite the best prep equipment is wrongly chosen or it fails - be it lights, frames, shoes, lack of maps/ narratives, bike computers

 

The race remains a humbling experience - less talk and more action - if you are thinking of doing it, by all means get into the vibe pre the start, but better to ride a big game than talk a big one - it will bite you in the arse - so rather don't tempt the beast.

 

First rule is to finish - never get ahead of yourself, by all means push the boundaries, but it seems like day1 is the area of tummy troubles and cramps and day 3/4 for chest infections, hopefully a sensible ride on both of these days will see you making Rhodes or Wellington.

Otherwise the side of the road - it will be your parking spot for a few stops.

 

The race is evolving - in a good way - familiar faces is charge and trying to tweak every bit of the experience - their main goal is to get you to finish - within the integrity/ rules of the race.

 

I rode with Frank for a bit - an honest mistake by a stand up guy - he would not have needed a gps. Hope he comes back - there is unfinished business there - difference is he will welcomed back with open arms. Your whip is waiting Frank.

 

I see the corporate bigwigs have just finished - the nice thing is that their smiles seem to indicate they loved it as much as anyone, sure there is no VIP chill area - but the sense of achievement is worth so much more. Looks like they had a blast.

 

There have been many organisational improvements, but the soul if the race remains untouched - in my opinion it faces challenges for sure - mostly positive ones. The people and the trail remain the biggest asset and are as enthusiastic as ever.

 

Rhodes is really nowhere - be prepared for that, I could not get a cup of coffee, a bar one or a coke in the town in the afternoon, thankfully the Rubicon guest house is well stocked, but you really do need an exit plan out of Rhodes (thanks Rob!), otherwise its probably quicker to keep riding.

 

One of the things which strikes me about the race is the layers of experience it offers, your first time is about finishing, but after that there is the social ride option, there is the navigation alone option, there is ride with your dad or mom option, there is the guide some mates option, there is the fauna and flora option, there is the wyntrein/ Zamalek option, there is the race yourself dood option, there is the go all the way option - so really within the "adventure guaranteed" framework there are so many options. I reckon book early from this year on.

 

Lastly a couple of special mentions:

 

Well done to Rob Mortimer, a whip, a single speed finish and a promise never to say you have crap navigation skills. See you in Wellington. go here http://www.sportsmanswarehouse.co.za/product/first-ascent-mens-free-rider-mountain-bike-shoes/4174

 

To Gareth Ochse - my sources tell me you were bloody strong, well done.

 

To Bruce - I saw you were bloody strong and knew your way around your back yard - kudos, a real asset to the trail in the PMB area.

 

To Ray - those feelings must be raw today - I feel for you - dammit that's a tough call, but at least the doc made it for you. Your blanket awaits next year... 

 

To Pierre - I know you will read this later, glad the first day's drama is aside, you have a job to do and a long way to go, the bunch looks good, cmon now, keep focus and finish this!!

 

Ok that's me for now......thanks to all involved

 

edit:spelling

lekker Charl, now you can get back to helping us figure out the racing! looks like we won't even know which group the winner will come from for a while still!

 

Would like to hear the details of the GPS incident in due course (ie. what exactly the device and mapping was).

 

I rode with Ray way back in 2008, comes from a long line of farming stock from the area. Total enthusiast like you could not believe - has to drive 70km yo find a tar road to ride his road bike!

[Marnitz Nienaber]

The snakes :

 

Tim James

Mike Woolnough

Theo van Dyk

Bruce Hughes

Tim Deane

Gawie du Plesssis

 

and the winner will be determined by night navigation :

 

Tim James

Mike Woolnough

Gawie du Plessis

and Theo van Dyk if he wasn't staring at Tim's wheel last year

 

Tim & Mike = relentless- never stop

Theo = Super strong- little night riding

Gawie = Super strong- the comfort of a SS might derail him, but he is on gears this year

 

the elastic band between Tim & Mike will determine the winner in their competition

 

The winner will be the first rider turning into the Baviaans.

[tubed]

Steve,

 

on the racing side, as you say its early days still with most of the guys probably still trying to find their rythm ito maximum push and need to sleep, a couple of comments which may have some relevance:

 

Tim James and Mike W are clearly the most experienced and will have a number of strategies - they will be probably be the most adaptable in my view. (Tim seems to have some sort of bivvy rolled on the front of the bike), Mike seems to need a place with tea for a stop.

 

Bruce H has shown real strength, he has a blanket and is well prepared - lets hope he has the ability to adapt too.

 

Gawie and Jacques - I am a bit surprised not to see Gawie at the front, but much as he likes to and can ride alone he likes the sociable aspect of the race too, if he and Jacques loosely team up they could be a very formidable unit, both very strong riders and keen knowledge of the course, day or night it makes no difference.

 

Theo and Tim - unlikely to put a foot wrong and strong combination of nav and adventure racing - steady at the moment.

 

Liehann - strikes me as very calculating and quite happy to fly under the radar for now - as they say he didn't fly half the way across the globe for a haircut.....watch this space.

 

Leon and Vaughn - doing remarkably well for first time - I think the expectation was they would follow wheels until the Cape, but that seems to have been scuppered, whatever the case they are navigating well day or night.

 

# interesting to note that Martin had a WhatsApp group going, wonder what level of outside assistance they gave, which is totally within the rules, but it didn't seem to help with his one nav error on Lehana's where there is good Vodacom reception, it does sound like he wasn't thinking straight at that stage anyway!

The point is that, I wouldn't put it past some of the newer guys to have a backup team at home tracking and feeding info to their riders, which is great if you have the presence of mind to listen to it and secondly if its available via reception.

 

Of course all of the above is from behind a keyboard, many many miles from the action - so it could just as much be speculation.

 

[Shebeen]

Steve,

 

on the racing side, as you say its early days still with most of the guys probably still trying to find their rythm ito maximum push and need to sleep, a couple of comments which may have some relevance:

 

Tim James and Mike W are clearly the most experienced and will have a number of strategies - they will be probably be the most adaptable in my view. (Tim seems to have some sort of bivvy rolled on the front of the bike), Mike seems to need a place with tea for a stop.

 

Bruce H has shown real strength, he has a blanket and is well prepared - lets hope he has the ability to adapt too.

 

Gawie and Jacques - I am a bit surprised not to see Gawie at the front, but much as he likes to and can ride alone he likes the sociable aspect of the race too, if he and Jacques loosely team up they could be a very formidable unit, both very strong riders and keen knowledge of the course, day or night it makes no difference.

 

Theo and Tim - unlikely to put a foot wrong and strong combination of nav and adventure racing - steady at the moment.

 

Liehann - strikes me as very calculating and quite happy to fly under the radar for now - as they say he didn't fly half the way across the globe for a haircut.....watch this space.

 

Leon and Vaughn - doing remarkably well for first time - I think the expectation was they would follow wheels until the Cape, but that seems to have been scuppered, whatever the case they are navigating well day or night.

 

# interesting to note that Martin had a WhatsApp group going, wonder what level of outside assistance they gave, which is totally within the rules, but it didn't seem to help with his one nav error on Lehana's where there is good Vodacom reception, it does sound like he wasn't thinking straight at that stage anyway!

The point is that, I wouldn't put it past some of the newer guys to have a backup team at home tracking and feeding info to their riders, which is great if you have the presence of mind to listen to it and secondly if its available via reception.

 

Of course all of the above is from behind a keyboard, many many miles from the action - so it could just as much be speculation.

It is? grey area surely.

 

but if you're getting whatsapp, you've got a data connection and could be on the website anyway!

[Marnitz Nienaber]

Steve,

 

 

 

# interesting to note that Martin had a WhatsApp group going, wonder what level of outside assistance they gave, which is totally within the rules, but it didn't seem to help with his one nav error on Lehana's where there is good Vodacom reception, it does sound like he wasn't thinking straight at that stage anyway!

Of course all of the above is from behind a keyboard, many many miles from the action - so it could just as much be speculation.

Mike Woolnough has got the same WhatsApp group, the best thing about it is that Tim and some of the other racers is part of that group, the point is that the group is just an informative chat group on mute.

 

Racing the trail I can confess that I switch my phone off, because of the fact that many an armchair racer believe they have got the ultimate race line and plan for you, which they need to inform you every now and then. The main reason why I switch my phone off or on silent is to avoid these informative calls, the other reason is to conserve battery life, because the phone normally goes off hunting for signal and the other reason is that as much as I want to talk I don't have the time.

 

thus your very smart phone becomes null and void on the race, it can predict weather also, but you as racer can do absolutely nothing about it....

[tubed]

Mike Woolnough has got the same WhatsApp group, the best thing about it is that Tim and some of the other racers is part of that group, the point is that the group is just an informative chat group on mute.

 

Racing the trail I can confess that I switch my phone off, because of the fact that many an armchair racer believe they have got the ultimate race line and plan for you, which they need to inform you every now and then. The main reason why I switch my phone off or on silent is to avoid these informative calls, the other reason is to conserve battery life, because the phone normally goes off hunting for signal and the other reason is that as much as I want to talk I don't have the time.

 

thus your very smart phone becomes null and void on the race, it can predict weather also, but you as racer can do absolutely nothing about it....

hmmm collusion in competition in the cycling industry strikes again!

 

just kidding - thanks for the insight Marnitz, as I suspected, at your level it is more of an irritant/ distraction than an aid

 

but it does go to show that in Martin's hour of need he could probably have called the control room, Tim on the other hand in Vuvu Valley last year demonstrated to all of us just how useless relying on that would have been

 

imo, the smartphone issue is not an issue at this stage - otherwise Gary and Fanus, or Philip and Chiara would have not provided us with such marvel

 

I hope Gary hitches on somewhere soon

[Percyzn]

back at work, after an awesome week on the trail. Not getting much done, other than stare at the tracker all day and trying to plan strategy for 2017...

We had a superb ride, myself and the "rookies" from PMB. We rode hard, but rode 98% in the light. We made great time, hardly stopping in the day and had 2 nice sunny afternoons at GE and Malek. Our total riding time was around 44 hours, much quicker than I planned, but we stuck to the game plan and enjoyed a few beers and 4 good nights sleep to get into Rhodes as planned in 4 1/2 days.

 

My personal goal was to not touch a map, narrative or odometer the whole route, which I am pleased to say I pulled off 100%. Racing 2014 and doing some good reccie in 2014 and 2016 made this possible, as well as hours on Google Earth. It was awesome, just cruising the whole route, with no nav at all. We missed a turn or 2 here and there, but for the most waxed the nav on each day.

 

Without getting into too much detail, as its behind him now, I know Frank very well and rode 2 days with him, he was using a polar hear rate monitor, for HR only. At no time were any routes loaded, or any advantage gained for him. He had reccied the route and relied on that knowledge and that of mine and Al. In fact he was the only one who brought maps with (that we never used!) We did not even know it was GPS enabled, as he only uses it for HR, for very personal reasons. He is one of the most upstanding guys I know and a true sportsman. In saying, that, by having it with him, he unknowingly broke a golden rule and paid the ultimate price. 

I can assure you he will be back to take part in this wonderful race again, this time with a cheap non gps HR monitor..

 

So now we being planning for 2017 and topics like sub 90, sub 80, sub 70 start being talked about..... Exciting, especially after watching martins tracker for 49 hours...

 

couple pics attached, hopefully one or two of them convince some other nutters on the hub to come and join us on this wonderful, challenging, indescribable event.

 

Bruce