My Freedom Challenge. A story about a blanket, life lessons and a bike race. (I)
The Race Across South Africa takes place in June/July each year. It is a 2300 km ( with a total cumulative ascent is over 37000 metres), non-stop, self-navigated mountain bike race starting in...
View ArticleFreedom Challenge-pt II
Day 2+3: Allendale-Ntsikeni-Masakala —————————————————————– At 4am we were gently woken by Xavier Rudd singing from my phone: This song would wake me daily and remind me that my mission was to chase...
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Day 4 : Masaka – Malegolonyane ————————————————- “Whilst you are on the spur look westwards towards the mountains. Below you you will see a floodplain. In the distance, on the far side of the flood...
View ArticleFreedom Challenge- pt IV
Day 5 : Malegonlonyane – Vuvu On the road again at 5am, the 8 hours of sleep had done wonders. Zooming down the concrete road was an absolute pleasure. Well, until I almost crashed avoiding some cows....
View ArticleFreedom Challenge – Pt V
Day 7: Rhodes to Slaapkranz “Seems that Shane is not sure there is enough beer at the stations. Being the first one is a good strategy.” ~Sjirk Another day another pre dawn exit, another day chasing...
View ArticleFreedom Challenge pt-VI
Day 10: Romansfontein to Hofmeyr I woke with a throbbing headache and feeling like crap despite a good night of sleep. The food the evening before had been too nice and I’d over indulged on the carbs,...
View ArticleFreedom Challenge – pt VII The alien and the Gwaas
Day 13: Gegun – Kleinpoort Around 1130pm I was startled awake by noises in the house, then I heard the tick, tick, tick of a bike freewheel and the rustle of a waterproof jacket. “I should really go...
View ArticleFreedom Challenge – pt VIII
Day 14: Kleinpoort – Hadley I woke with sore legs, no surprise there then after the previous couple of days. I took my latest start of the trip, waiting until 7am for the road side cafe to open for...
View ArticleFreedom Challenge – pt IX: To Hell and beyond
Day 19: PA – Gamkaskloof Another pre-dawn exit into the cold and dark. I managed to get away a little before the other riders that had stayed the night in Prince Albert. We’d all had a great night...
View ArticleFreedom Challenge-pt X
Day 21: Anysberg – Montagu Johnny, Estelle and I had breakfast together, Estelle seemed a lot more chirpy after a good night of sleep. Just for a change we set off in the dark and it was chilly. The...
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