2016 Freedom Challenge RASA & RTR Prep

[johannrissik]

Back to the subject at hand....ARX25 from First Ascent. 

[Jewbacca]

Front packs are amazing. I am on mark 3 of my home made design. It was absolutely brilliant at EA this year. It has bottle holders which are surplus to requirement on the bike.

 

Freedom in 2013 was done with a camel back Mule and a front pouch for food and valuables.

 

One of the things people get very wrong is that it is better to have a slightly emptier big pack than a full small one. Re-packing and squeezing everything into bulging zips is a pain of the highest degree and can end in tears.

 

Also pack everything in oriented dry bags. New socks? Boom, green dry bag. New shirt or thermal, blue one. Raining... waterproofs are in the red one.

 

Saving time and also saving your tired brain from having to do too much is worth the prep

[Barklyboy]

Anyone have advice on gearing for RASA. 2x 10/11 or 1x 10/11. 11-42 cluster

Old bike still had 3x so plenty of "granny" options.

[TrailWarrior]

If I had to be going back to do it again, I would be changing from a 2x10  and go to a 1x11.....

My preference....

[TrailWarrior]

it's a nice to have, but not the end all.

 

lots of nice frame options for kos these days, and not just a triathlong bag on the stem anynmore either.

 

can recommend the Osprey range too, really committed local support adventureInc http://www.ospreypacks.com/za/en/category/hydration/?trip-length=20-39L%20(All%20Day)

 

 

I can vouch for Osprey! Other than using an Apidura saddle bag and top bar bag on the bike, I also used their Talon 22 back pack on this years RASA and can say for certain, a tough little pack.

 

My review on this was.....

 

...The Osprey Talon 22 backpack is one tough little pack! Hesitating at first to take it along for the adventure race that the Freedom Challenge was because of size, I am happy I did!

 

The light weight 22 litre capacity of the pack suited the aspect of the race well. With its all nine compartments there was going to be some pros and cons, however the pack was utilized to the fullest. With its striking white beading and stitching along with the brilliant blue colour of this pack, the back padding and straps, the pack was even complimented as attractive looking by other participants.

 

For the size pack, I was rather impressed with the holding capacity when choosing to pack the following in the main compartment:

1x Set of padded winter gloves

1x Set of normal long finger gloves

1x Set of glove liners

1x Skull cap

2x Buffs (1x winter 1x summer)

1x Cycle bib short

1x Cycle shirt

2x Set of mohair socks

1x Thermal top

1x Nylon short (to sleep in)

1x Fleece top Long-sleeve

1x Small pouch – traveler’s toothbrush and small tube toothpaste

1x Small medical pouch with supplies

1x Small tub of anti chafe cream

1x Packet – emergency meal

1x Battery pack

Other than the fleece long sleeve top inserted into a zip lock water tight bag, the rest of the items were inserted into a water tight 13L Sea to Summit bag.

(The rest of my spares and electronic appliances, chargers etc were inserted into a 4L Sea to Summit bag and carried on the bike in a bike saddle bag.)

 

The internal mini compartment also present in the main compartment, was used to pack 1x Pouch with cash, bank cards and permits for the race as well as the compulsory tracker unit used by each participants.

 

In the Secondary compartment I used to pack my nutrition which was namely energy bars, decanted energy supplement powder and other edibles as well as a small Leatherman tool . This compartment also ensured easy access when stationery.

 

The outer mesh stash compartment cover on the front of the bag was used to pack 1x (3 in 1) rain jacket and a pair of size 9 foam flip flop.

 

The side pockets were used to keep the Osprey Hi-Vis rain cover and 500ml water bottle in respectively.

 

The two side compartments on the waist belt were used to pack snack edibles as well as sunglasses and Ipod.

 

In the third compartment at the back which is also the compartment to install a hydration bladder, I inserted a 2 litre capacity bladder herein.

 

The total pack weight with 1.5L of water weighed in at around 7.5kg.

 

This pack I can say without hesitation and authority is one pretty tough piece of equipment. The 2300km terrain and conditions covered in the Freedom Challenge was surely one of the ultimate test for the Osprey Talon 22 backpack.  Other than the mesh cover over the front of the pack being torn slightly by dense thorny vegetation on the first day of the race, there were no signs of any weak stitching, structure faults or failure of any kind. This in itself speaks volumes as the Osprey Talon 22 backpack was carried, dragged and sometimes thrown or pulled over obstacles throughout.

 

The pack itself had a nice centre of gravity feel on the back whilst riding as well as the chest strap and waist strap adding to the stability. I did feel however that the shoulder straps could have done with a little more padding especially for this type of event. The pockets on the waist belt I also felt should have been a little bigger but was not a major.

The Osprey Talon 22 back padding was comfortable, however with an empty hydration bladder, one could feel the drain pipe connector pressing through the fully laden pack and into the lower back at times.

The Osprey rain cover served its purpose well and fitted snugly over the Osprey Talon 22 backpack even though only two days of rain was experienced. The other factor noted was that in extreme winds which were experienced ongoing, the Osprey rain cover remained snugly fitted and showed no signs of coming off....

[Marnitz Nienaber]

So I have entered again, now to find myself a bike.....

 

   

[dave303e]

Jewbacca, which team were you racing for at EA if you don't mind me asking?

 

as per new bikes for looooong distancing, I keep coming back to one of these...

http://www.bikes.com/en/bikes/sherpa/2016

[Shebeen]

So I have entered again, now to find myself a bike.....

 

   

i swap you for a hilux!

[Shebeen]

Jewbacca, which team were you racing for at EA if you don't mind me asking?

 

as per new bikes for looooong distancing, I keep coming back to one of these...

http://www.bikes.com/en/bikes/sherpa/2016

i'm not convinced on 27+ being the best compromise, but I'm a "this looks like a fad, I'll wait and see" type of guy (but then i went and got a carbon hardtail, so maybe ignore my views!).

 

I seem to think that the latest 'distance touring tech' hits the GDR first, and we need to look at the beefier options there (like the Sherpa).

[dave303e]

i'm not convinced on 27+ being the best compromise, but I'm a "this looks like a fad, I'll wait and see" type of guy (but then i went and got a carbon hardtail, so maybe ignore my views!).

 

I seem to think that the latest 'distance touring tech' hits the GDR first, and we need to look at the beefier options there (like the Sherpa).

have to agree with you on the 27+ wheels still not sold and I think the extra weight in the tyres is not ideal for long distances, but maybe a standard 29er wheel in the beefier more upright and comfy frame will be a win...

[johannrissik]

So I have entered again, now to find myself a bike.....

 

   

There is no longer one lying waiting in Stettyns. It was recovered and is back home. Nie dat jy 'n ou hensopper fiets sou wou gehad het nie

 

edit spelling

[The Crazy German]

i'm not convinced on 27+ being the best compromise, but I'm a "this looks like a fad, I'll wait and see" type of guy (but then i went and got a carbon hardtail, so maybe ignore my views!).

 

I seem to think that the latest 'distance touring tech' hits the GDR first, and we need to look at the beefier options there (like the Sherpa).

I believe I would upgrade to 27.5+ if i would want to set a fast time. Faster due to less strain on the body. Although maybe a bit draggy for after baviaans(tyre swap at the gates) especially as the one but last day seems to be sadly a gravel race route now. Definitely sold on these for the short haul to Rhodes.

[tubed]

http://veloclub.cyclingtips.com/blogs/entry/46-race-to-the-rock-post-race-introspection/

 

been following this fantastic race - anybody wanting to ride RASA should prepare for some type 3 fun - watch the video to find out how Gunther describes fun

[johannrissik]

I believe I would upgrade to 27.5+ if i would want to set a fast time. Faster due to less strain on the body. Although maybe a bit draggy for after baviaans(tyre swap at the gates) especially as the one but last day seems to be sadly a gravel race route now. Definitely sold on these for the short haul to Rhodes.

Tyre swap at the gates? Using the two tyres you carried with you or the two you had in your Cambria box ? ????

Will we see you in 2017?

[Eddie Stafford]

Marnitz, it is properly time to start a 2017 forum.

 

If anyone has a 2017 Race to Cradock entry that they can’t use anymore, please let me know.

 

Thanks.

[Marnitz Nienaber]

Marnitz, it is properly time to start a 2017 forum.

 

If anyone has a 2017 Race to Cradock entry that they can’t use anymore, please let me know.

 

Thanks.

 

Okay so here goes 2017 RASA & RTR

https://community.bikehub.co.za/topic/162884-2017-freedom-challenge-rasa-rtr/