2016 Freedom Challenge RASA & RTR Prep

[tubed]

You get normal crazy, then you get Freedom Challenge crazy, then you get bef*k (excuse my french). If Pierre hasn't been into the Kloof before, then he would be in the latter category if he goes in late.

 

With the trend to go up the flank and along the top to the track - I dont think that is advisable at night or without good visibility, unless you have a built in homing device which is locked on to the start of the jeep track.

Otherwise as long as you stay in the Kloof and follow the stream upwards you are not in too much danger at night, its not like Vuvu Valley where you could be going up the wrong stream.

 

As an interesting aside the people/ families who have the huts up in the Elandspad Valley, they were apparently afforded a right by the farm owner to build a hut each in gratitude for mountain rescue they performed to bring to safety one of the farmers family members who was missing in the mountains. Besides the Mountain Club Hut, one of the properties is owned by the late Mike Mamacos, a prominent figure in local mountaineering and who passed away a year or two ago on his property. So its not an area to flirt with unless you well prepared or actually do know what you are doing.   

 

 

[Slowbee]

Pierre is almost at Mcgregor - so I am sure he will stop at Trouthaven. So Thursday afternoon into the valley, by which time the wind starts and into the finish into Thursday night, hopefully before the rain starts.

 

Some of the others will be going into the kloof within the next 2 hrs or so.

 

The others are likely to finish late into tonight ?

[Nancy Drew]

Some very sobering posts here. Enough to scare off a wannabe participant.... or at least make them think twice 

 

Huge respect to all that have achieved Blanket wearer or Whip bearer status

[tubed]

Some very sobering posts here. Enough to scare off a wannabe participant.... or at least make them think twice 

 

Huge respect to all that have achieved Blanket wearer or Whip bearer status

Think twice is good - but def still go!

 

One doesn't have to look further than Ann Harrison and Caren Henschel (both strong riders) to see that this is quite possible if you are committed and sensible. Its definitely not case of brawn over brains - but rather making sure that you finish what you start.

 

If you are thinking about it and are a bit unsure the shorter options are a great way to see if it is your cup of tea before you take three weeks off work and come back after one.

 

But it is doable for most people who want a blanket or a whip.

[Marnitz Nienaber]

Think twice is good - but def still go!

 

If you are thinking about it and are a bit unsure the shorter options are a great way to see if it is your cup of tea before you take three weeks off work and come back after one.

 

But it is doable for most people who want a blanket or a whip.

 

The best option will be to do the shorter options first, I think the Race Office might make it compulsionary to do the shorter versions first before a rider will be allowed to do the complete RASA.

 

Your main objective must be to be able to read a map and how to operate a compass, and remember it's a solo event although it happens that riders group together, you the rider remain responsible for yourself and your well being.  

 

You the rider is responsible to navigate without assistance from other riders, you must carry the minimum required equipment with you, to be able to take care of yourself in an emergency situation, while awaiting assistance from the Race Office.

 

Once you press the SOS button, your race is basically over, and to avoid that from happening you need to equip yourself with the necessary knowledge, experience and training before you enter the race.

 

I have slept out many nights on the Freedom and I can honestly say that it's safe to do, but only if you are well prepared and equipped.

 

You don't have to be scared by the Freedom Challenge, you just need to be equipped and well prepared.

 

      

[johannrissik]

Some very sobering posts here. Enough to scare off a wannabe participant.... or at least make them think twice 

 

Huge respect to all that have achieved Blanket wearer or Whip bearer status

Sobering need not be scary. A lot of it is about respect, in this case respect for the elements. Stettyns is the most beautiful place, but on Friday that beauty will also be very wet and very wild.  Maybe this will help advise Pierre's strategy?

 

http://www.yr.no/place/South_Africa/Western_Cape/Stettynskloof/long.html

 

Thursday or Saturday, but probably best NOT attempted on Friday.  Easy to say if you have allowed for the "possibility" of a serious cold front in winter in the Western Cape and have a day or two in hand.....

 

edit: "NOT"  

[johannrissik]

Some very sobering posts here. Enough to scare off a wannabe participant.... or at least make them think twice 

 

Huge respect to all that have achieved Blanket wearer or Whip bearer status

@Nancy  Should we put your name on the list ?  

[dirtypot]

I want to be on the list.  I want a blanket next year.

Need to find myself a sponsor(s)!

It must happen.

[Slowbee]

woohoo, they all in the valley together. Alot of little arrows bunched together!

[Shebeen]

this race is so tough it EATS bikes. literally!

 

this is one helluva story, but unfortunately no blanket. Hopefully he will be back.

 

 

What happened to Gerrit?

After sleeping out in Stettynskloof on Saturday night, Gerrit continued on Sunday morning but again ran into difficulty with the thick bush and steep terrain in the kloof - he then pressed the SOS button on his tracking device, in the hopes that someone would come to his assistance (the riders were briefed about the use of the tracker SOS function and when to use it). He continued to move though, choosing a really steep route up the south western side in an attempt to get out of the kloof before dark. He ran into trouble when he could no longer carry his bike and hold onto the steep terrain at the same time, so he decided to leave his bike and get himself out instead. Managing to find a way out eventually, he walked to the Fisantekraal farm buildings where he arranged with the farm workers for a lift to Wellington. In the meantime, a search party had been dispatched to Stettynskloof to look for him at his last recorded position. Not finding anything, they returned after dark, to the news that Gerrit was already back at Diemersfontein. 

Ordinarily, his race would have been over as soon as he pushed the SOS button but his bike was still in Stettynskloof and he was still in a capable physical condition, so he was given the option of going back to fetch it and a chance at completing the race. After being dropped off near the top of the kloof, he attempted to retrace his steps and find his bike. Heavy overnight rains had swollen the rivers and made the terrain harder to negotiate, low cloud and mist meant visibility was also limited. After a few more hours of searching, he was unable to locate the bike and was now frozen and tired, so abandoned the attempt, again pushing his SOS button but continuing to move, making his way back to the shelter of the mountain hut (where he had been dropped off earlier that morning). He was collected from the trail and has abandoned the race. His bike will be collected when the weather clears and returned to him. Hopefully he will return at some point in future and try again.

We wish him well and hope to see him back on the trail at some point in the future.

 

 

 

 

[Slowbee]

I hope these guys get out the valley this evening.

 

With snow predicted they want to get home as quick as they can.

[Shebeen]

woohoo, they all in the valley together. Alot of little arrows bunched together!

sort of!

 

the front 5(or6) appear to be together. it can help to be in a group here, as only one person needs to bash through a path at a time! They're going the low route, which is along the northeast bank. it can be hellishly overgrown there.

 

which is why caren and tony seem to have gone higher up. it's steep sided mountain, and still bundu bashing but it's through pynbos and not trees.

 

brad could be between the groups

 

there will be dribbles arriving today at diemers, doubt they will get there together.

[Slowbee]

holy cow, there are two riders coming through anysberg - are they going to make it to the finish ?

[suzieQ]

holy cow, there are two riders coming through anysberg - are they going to make it to the finish ?

There are 3 riders making their way to Anysberg - Clint, Gerald and Neville.  If I am not mistaken, based on their start dates, Gerald has until Monday to get to Driemersfontein and Clint and Neville have until Tuesday, although Im sure they would love to be there by Saturday to make the finishers dinner.

[Slowbee]

thanks suzieQ, thought everyone had till saturday to finish.

 

it will be hard on them to know that others are having dinner! AND the prospect of snow must not be a nice one.

[dirtypot]

There are 3 riders making their way to Anysberg - Clint, Gerald and Neville.  If I am not mistaken, based on their start dates, Gerald has until Monday to get to Driemersfontein and Clint and Neville have until Tuesday, although Im sure they would love to be there by Saturday to make the finishers dinner.

 

They're really getting their moneys worth!!

If Gerald pushes from Montagu to Trouthaven on Saturday then he should make it.  

As long as none of them run into any trouble...