Jewbacca Posted February 8, 2017 Posted February 8, 2017 With regards the backpack... Start training in it now. Start with 5kg and build up to it fully loaded by the end of March. That way you can test your gear, test how everything fits and most importantly do some climbing under full packmule load. I am already running with a fully loaded backpack for EA which is in May. There is nothing more devastating than trying to climb up to Ntsikeni and it feels like you can't stay upright at slow speeds!
Marnitz Nienaber Posted February 8, 2017 Author Posted February 8, 2017 I think Marnitz has ridden a few times before with a backpack.... I might try it without a backpack this year.......Complete different strategy this year, only time will reveal.....
The Crazy German Posted February 8, 2017 Posted February 8, 2017 So who has officially entered? RTR for me need too start preparing and not fall off my bike again.
PieterW Posted February 8, 2017 Posted February 8, 2017 So who has officially entered? RTR for me need too start preparing and not fall off my bike again. RTR - my first time on the trail
Dusty Posted February 9, 2017 Posted February 9, 2017 RTR - my first time on the trailBe verrrry careful. The trail is addictive.
The Crazy German Posted February 9, 2017 Posted February 9, 2017 Be verrrry careful. The trail is addictive.True cos with the right mindset its a wonderful place. For me I have done the Spring ride, trotted slowly to Wellington th year after. And now after back to try my hand at some night riding and get to Rhodes a bit faster.
smara Posted February 9, 2017 Posted February 9, 2017 Be verrrry careful. The trail is addictive.Thats for sure, after 1st failed attempt in 2014 for RTR, have since done RTR and RTC; this year all the way... RASA
Marnitz Nienaber Posted February 9, 2017 Author Posted February 9, 2017 Thats for sure, after 1st failed attempt in 2014 for RTR, have since done RTR and RTC; this year all the way... RASA It is quiet addictive, once part of the family you always long to come back to meet some never before seen family....... Looking forward to meet some new family !!!
TrailWarrior Posted February 9, 2017 Posted February 9, 2017 Thats for sure, after 1st failed attempt in 2014 for RTR, have since done RTR and RTC; this year all the way... RASA Sergio! You doing RASA 2017?
Marnitz Nienaber Posted February 15, 2017 Author Posted February 15, 2017 Got myself a new old 2015 Cannondale Rush 1, can't wait for this years Freedom Challenge !!!! Whoopee
Marnitz Nienaber Posted February 15, 2017 Author Posted February 15, 2017 The Freedom Challenge GOLDEN RULES : The Golden Rules are a distillation of the General Race Rules which are set out in more detail below. Disregard of the rules, whether deliberate or unintentional, will result in time penalties, censure and/or disqualification. Golden Rule 1No motorized transport After the commencement of the race, challengers may not be transported at any time by motorized means. Any rider taking a lift forward, backward or off the trail with a vehicle will be automatically disqualified. Any Challenger automatically disqualified for taking a lift with a vehicle during the race may launch an appeal. Appeals relating to automatic disqualification as a result of taking a lift must be made to the Race Director at the next support station and will be dealt with within twenty-four hours of filing the appeal. Golden Rule 2Carry your own kitAfter the commencement of the race, personal gear, equipment and supplies of a Challenger may not be transported along the trail by mechanized means without the consent of the Race Organizer. All equipment left behind at support stations will be forfeited by Challengers. If a Challenger does not want to forfeit the equipment or personal gear, they must carry it with them to the finish. Golden Rule 3 No outside supportNo vehicles seconding individual Challengers will be permitted during the race. Vehicles meeting up with a Challenger or delivering gear or equipment during the race will result in disqualification. Challengers may not receive personal support or outside assistance at any stage during the race. This includes visits by family, friends or supporters anywhere along the route. If any emergency assistance is required by a Challenger, it must be arranged with the Race Director or sought from fellow Challengers. Golden Rule 4 Accommodation / Communication A Challenger may not make demands for food and shelter along the route. Part of the goal of the Freedom Challenge is that Challengers should be unsupported and should not receive outside assistance other than that provided for by the Race Organizer. This assistance will be provided at the various official support stations along the route, as well as at certain designated emergency stops. A Challenger will need to notify the race office at least 6 hours in advance if they intend to make use of an emergency stop. In the event of a Challenger encountering difficulties or an emergency situation out on the trail, a challenger will be permitted to use other un-official accommodation on ONLY one occasion during the race. A challenger using such unauthorised accommodation MUST pay the accommodation provider before leaving the minimum amount set by the Race Organizer prior to the commencement of the event. If a Challenger chooses to camp out or sleep rough, they are free to do so, as long as no requests for food/water/shelter are made of anyone in the immediate vicinity. The making of open fires is prohibited – any rider camping out is expected to seek adequate shelter and not to rely on making a fire to survive the night. Any rider who makes an open fire along the trail is automatically disqualified. Furthermore, the rider will be held liable for any damages resulting from the spread of a fire that they have started. Golden Rule 5No GPSDuring the race, challengers are restricted to the use of traditional forms of navigation. This includes the use of the official race narratives and race maps, a magnetic compass and any device which measures time, distance and speed without the use of GPS technology (i.e. a simple bike computer). Any device onto which a GPS track or route can be loaded and followed is prohibited. The use of smartphones for navigation is prohibited. All apps or other programmes, which record tracks or provide navigation assistance must be deleted from smartphones before starting the race.Use of any GPS devices for navigation or for tracking of routes will result in immediate disqualification. This excludes the GPS tracking device supplied by the Race OrganizerGolden Rule 6Impeccable behaviourAll Challengers are expected to act in a sportsmanlike manner and conduct themselves in a civil manner throughout the race. Abusive behaviour toward fellow riders, support station hosts or any other people encountered along the route will not be tolerated and will result in time penalties. Any complaints received from support station hosts will be investigated and could result in disqualification. Golden Rule 7No dopingUse of illegal drugs as defined by law, excessive use of alcohol and the use of any banned performance enhancing substances (WADA Prohibited List 2017) during the race is prohibited. The Race Organizer has the right to conduct random drug testing. A Challenger is subject to collection of urine samples at any point from the start until one (1) hour after the finish. No hypodermic needles are permitted on the Freedom Trail. Golden Rule 8No Fires Challengers accept that during any Freedom Challenge event, the making of open fires is prohibited anywhere along the route – doing so will result in immediate disqualification and Challengers will be held liable for any damages that may occur from the spread of such a fire. Make sure you adhere to the Golden Rules and the rest of the rules, Last year the rules where applied stringent, we even saw disqualifications, don't go and mess up a wonderful race because you didn't know the rules. Best thing to do is to save a copy on your phone and when in doubt phone the Race Director to make absolutely sure you are acting within the Freedom Challenge rules. I attended a few pre race briefings last year, you will sign a copy of the rules, your kit will be checked and they will make sure you don't have any GPS apps or devices on you phone or with you. Let's make it enjoyable and adhere !!!!
The Crazy German Posted February 15, 2017 Posted February 15, 2017 Some rules got added pity that this was neede because off the idiot behaviour of some/
Dusty Posted February 16, 2017 Posted February 16, 2017 which are new?No fires is new I think, but it does make sense.
Shebeen Posted February 16, 2017 Posted February 16, 2017 The only river we crossed was on Day 1, and we took our shoes off for that anyway. Bearing in mind this was R2R and we were not 'racing' per say. what?! plenty more rivers than that on the way to rhodes**!umkomaas/hella hella (day 1)the big one after the long downhill from centacow=>ntsikenione more on top of ntsikeni plateauthe knira floodplain can be, well what it says on the boxthat one on the way to black fountain after malekholonyanethe tinana river at the mission(thing there's a suspension bridge somewhere)the tina river, at the portage **my blanket is getting old and so is my memory, so don't take this as gospel
Shebeen Posted February 16, 2017 Posted February 16, 2017 Which shoes do the experienced riders recommend?If you've got any illusions of racing this, then I'm not of the opinion that walking/trekking shoes are the best idea. It is a cycling race, you will be riding 2000km, you will be doing roughly 500 000 pedal strokes.Do you really want to compress the rubber sole on your walking/running shoes a million times? Your feet can get sore, flippen sore, but the bike will still move forward.I would go for the shoes that have the best tradeoff between riding efficiency and still being able to walk in. Your feet will hurt after lehanas, stettyns and other portages. but your legs will make you go faster. currently got these shimano mt44. they are not as comfy/hikeabike as they look. but pretty solid.http://www.thebikebarn.com.au/456-thickbox_default/shimano-mt44-spd-casuals.jpg
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