2018 Freedom Challenge

[Slowbee]

above average rainfall, translating to more wet, cold and possibly snow with generally ugly weather.

 

but then again the drought may persist and it could be dry balmy and pleasant.

 

prepare for the worst, hope for the best.

[Percyzn]

 

Vacillate between - 'why the hell am I doing this?' and how privileged am I to get two weeks plus off to do something so self-centered.

 

same here, some moments are "man I am looking forward to this" and others are waking up in a cold sweat thinking "o my, this is going to be impossible"  4 weeks to go. Got to stop adding things to the list of what to pack... 

[Percyzn]

A month to go - who else is in besides Bruce?

 

 

 

i am sure we will see the batches on the website anyday now. :-)

[Percyzn]

i am sure we will see the batches on the website anyday now. :-)

batches are up.

[tubed]

My take on the weather is that its hard to even reliably predict 48hrs out, so all this guru stuff of wetter etc is pure speculation. 

Cold fronts also tend to move very quickly - so the rain is over quickly, with lingering showers being not too bad to ride in. My bigger concern is the wind that can blow for a day or two before the cold front - that tends to wear riders down far more than wet.

 

Its interesting that the event has reverted to mixing the RTR and RASA riders again and it appears that the field is smaller this year with everyone starting within about a week of each other - but that will all be revealed as soon as the 2018 participants are listed.

 

To put it out there right now - I am in the last batch on the 18th of June - I am NOT racing, but I don't have leave - so I need to ride about 17 days, which puts me there apparently.

[TrailWarrior]

same here, some moments are "man I am looking forward to this" and others are waking up in a cold sweat thinking "o my, this is going to be impossible"  4 weeks to go. Got to stop adding things to the list of what to pack... 

 

Don't overthink it! Don't over-pack it. Bare minimal is best and being winter, survival clothes to stay warm will take care of the rest. Then you just have to wing it! that's all you have to do...   

You've got this! 

[dirtypot]

To put it out there right now - I am in the last batch on the 18th of June - I am NOT racing, but I don't have leave - so I need to ride about 17 days, which puts me there apparently.

 

17 days and you're in the last batch?    

Are there only racing snakes going this year?

[tubed]

17 days and you're in the last batch?    

Are there only racing snakes going this year?

that's exactly what I said - hence my disclaimer - NOT racing

 

I see all has been revealed now on the website.

 

I guess the race is then between Jacques and Tim......(sad not to see Leon Erasmus there with Jacques - have no idea how he will handle the fomo - it will be erg when your buddy is racing)

[tubed]

 

 

I guess the race is then between Jacques and Tim.....

 

.....or perhaps Ingrid

[Eddie Stafford]

Small field this year, only 27 in R2R and 35 in RASA. I wonder if the increase in entry fees played a role.

[TrailWarrior]

Small field this year, only 27 in R2R and 35 in RASA. I wonder if the increase in entry fees played a role.

 

I would like to believe that that is partly some of it..... 

But also to take into account the amount of big mtb events and others taking place throughout the year, namely ultra distances and along with their costs involved and your personal costs just to get to the start line (which isn't cheap) along with the state of economy, it is not always going to be possible to take part in everything we hope for, that is for the most of us, I would like to believe.

 

Would still love to do another RASA if it was possible, but I'm sure like many we have to define what is possible, what is affordable and to choose wisely.....

 

Lets see what next year's figures are when they out.....

[The Crazy German]

 

 

I guess the race is then between Jacques and Tim.....

 

.....or perhaps Ingrid

 

Indeed very little depth in the racing field. 

Same for R2R Eddie and Arno clear favorites not gonna see a repeat of where the slowest rider of the racing batch(that be me please) gets to Ntsikeni by 2 am on day one.

[tubed]

Batches tend to change from first publication. Already have.

 

Fomo will be biting very very hard for some right now - for the racers I suspect the cutoff will be boxes due at the end of the month - dont see someone in that league riding without boxes (unless your name is Marnitz).

 

For some others, not having your own boxes can be overcome, there's more than enough food and maps floating around - the challenge is convincing home that "this is the last time, so I think I should go for it" or speaking nicely to Meryl and Glenn.....

 

This thread is very quiet with Shebeen running about the Hantam this week, I sure he will have some analysis when he gets back.

 

In my view an eventual two horse race between Andrew Barnes/ Tim or Theo/ Bruce was no less exciting. Sure we would love to see Martin vs Bruce for sub 10 days, but last year we all thought it would be Martin vs Alex and that fizzled too quickly. Point being there is always intrigue with this race. 

[Barklyboy]

Possible Contenders this year ??

I see Graham Bird is in batch 1. Does that mean he is not racing? Otherwise could up there.

Nigel Payne looked lean and mean at Joberg2C having already done Epic. If he decides to race (indicated to me he won't) he could klap it.

Also Andrew Blackurn as a outside bet if in the mood ??

[tubed]

Re other contenders.

 

the race office has been quite firm on this because of the logistics of the Baviaans 'gate' and the need for an escort, so they have insisted that all riders make them aware of their planned ride days/ finish time - this means then that you can probably 'just' have someone in the Baviaans area for a week and not 3 weeks waiting around for riders.

 

Given this, Graham, although a previous winner and a capable winner this year would have indicated that he plans to take it easy. So too Nigel who seems to have two new corporate bigwigs in tow this year - from the comments I read last year its all about the experience and not so much about the race - which makes a whole lot of sense - nobody telling you where you must be and when.

 

I heard Andrew was on a single speed (why oh why!...only those guys will know).

 

I see Scott has popped into the last group - cant comment too much on his plans, although he is capable.

 

I my humble opinion its all eyes on Jacques and perhaps Tim. I say Jacques because his preparation has been very deliberate and he has shown he can ride fast and he now knows the route as well as anyone. 

 

(PS: Ray please change your profile pic, that snow is worrying me)

[Marnitz Nienaber]

 

 

Vacillate between - 'why the hell am I doing this?' and how privileged am I to get two weeks plus off to do something so self-centered.

 

Searching for some fitness and conditioning in a month 

 

What the hell you're doing the Freedom Challenge, what a privilege !!!

 

Don't worry about fitness and conditioning, last year I got conditioned and fit in the stretch to Rhodes...

 

Enjoy !!!!