tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10405166954444514982024-03-05T19:23:59.772+02:00Rhino ChallengeThe Rhino Challenge is a project by cyclist Charles Mansfield. He will be riding the freedom Challenge race across South Africa in 2013 to benefit Project Rhino KZN. Read about his project, training and preparation for this daunting race.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13037803699134778481noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1040516695444451498.post-5650606773827697402013-06-16T22:50:00.001+02:002013-06-16T22:50:20.346+02:00Navigation nightmare in the stormberg<p dir=ltr>Hi all, apologies for not posting until now...reception issues... What can be said about today!!?? First 50km were the most difficult if ever ridden...less than10km/h average!! with over 4000m vertical ascent of which much of this saw the bike catching a lift on my shoulders! Then from the ntsikeni support station, my plan was to cover the next 100km in the afternoon and evening...NOT!!! About 10km out I took a turn too soon and ended up in completely the wrong valley. This 28km section of the route was supposed to take me about 3 hours, instead I wondered around in the pitch black wilderness for more than 6 hours. This has forced me to spend the night at an emergency stop, totally exhausted but glad to be back on the route. My intended 150km for the day only saw 80km completed. Time to stay calm, I'm sure things will improve. As for the Freedom trail, incredible scenery so far and a real privilege to be riding it. The body is screaming for me to stop with many aches developing all over...hopefully the mind can keep those voices out! Off to bed now, another early start tomorrow. Cheers, Charles</p>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11323543169598891641noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1040516695444451498.post-35716155506966495052013-06-15T13:54:00.001+02:002013-06-15T13:54:48.533+02:00Freedom challenge .... Eventually!And so it started.... eventually... After all the months of training, setting up bikes and bags, shopping for the right gear, and lately serious carbo loading! When the Pietermaritzburg town hall bell chimed at 6 this morning, the 5 riders of today's batch took off... No starting gun, no banners, no coffee cart, no ra ra girls.... Just the riders, a handful of supporters and dave... Oh and the clock... Charles started in a batch with robbie and christo who are both first time FC riders. The nienaber brothers also started with them on a tandem - that should be fun to watch... Especially when they have to carry the bike in some areas... The 2 other riders with them is stopping in Rhodes. <div>The general consensus is that the winner of this year might come out of this batch of riders, but it's still very early days ... And there is a cold front coming.... :) </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd5uunqZF4BDOG5wR30x7qSKSiTbDY9AF3AWN0cLKMsGWPmJ5UgTPpjPQdHFMvUfYTszNapZcnICLmuKqpvsMTW5M1DdXOQnookNBbG0eRys_uwqs59re9crpTZD-UEi-tNW1JFbWT4jE/s640/blogger-image--751022124.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd5uunqZF4BDOG5wR30x7qSKSiTbDY9AF3AWN0cLKMsGWPmJ5UgTPpjPQdHFMvUfYTszNapZcnICLmuKqpvsMTW5M1DdXOQnookNBbG0eRys_uwqs59re9crpTZD-UEi-tNW1JFbWT4jE/s640/blogger-image--751022124.jpg"></a></div>Charles getting ready to start....</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1aC385zyxWa-xBaGPP_ygw6jnsJ2OjDx6-P3j5NQWq59TwQk16DXbo7BnhTE0ULGy4IeC8Tc6WIok0v03dSP0rhw-OWkpeu2lNEfKr27iFnxhiTYRaQB76jVPy_jAqHtYFyYe6Wraxxo/s640/blogger-image--2101328001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1aC385zyxWa-xBaGPP_ygw6jnsJ2OjDx6-P3j5NQWq59TwQk16DXbo7BnhTE0ULGy4IeC8Tc6WIok0v03dSP0rhw-OWkpeu2lNEfKr27iFnxhiTYRaQB76jVPy_jAqHtYFyYe6Wraxxo/s640/blogger-image--2101328001.jpg"></a></div>Today's batch of riders outside town hall this morning, waiting for the bell.</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11323543169598891641noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1040516695444451498.post-9023857746109516582013-06-14T21:08:00.001+02:002013-06-14T21:08:29.426+02:00The night before<p dir=ltr>I can't believe we are here! Tomorrow these wheels start turning...</p>
<div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW14xwHy2mPIRLUTsPd6McnJ6DxI9cetPsEX7yD0RIDoQCGWlRfvyvXbOvRmgx-5DrQAjCxgCE7A1t0KqDBUJDLhTXJWu9fgkNveb_6dL8u85-KigV7uu1g2JIBAY4ywUdn84ssvIP0So/s1600/1371236620750.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW14xwHy2mPIRLUTsPd6McnJ6DxI9cetPsEX7yD0RIDoQCGWlRfvyvXbOvRmgx-5DrQAjCxgCE7A1t0KqDBUJDLhTXJWu9fgkNveb_6dL8u85-KigV7uu1g2JIBAY4ywUdn84ssvIP0So/s640/1371236620750.jpg' /> </a> </div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11323543169598891641noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1040516695444451498.post-8713197756951086712013-05-31T18:18:00.001+02:002013-05-31T18:18:50.545+02:00Freedom Challenge 2013 rig<p dir=ltr>Finally completed my Freedom Challenge rig. This is the machine and back pack that will hopefully be carrying me over 2350km from Pietermaritzburg to Paarl. Total bike weight including full water bottles, fully packed saddle bad and top tube pouch is 15 kilos. Complete back pack and map pouch including 2,5 litres of water inside comes to 9 kilos. Two weeks to launch date, the butterfly's inside have grown into the size of rock pigeons and have totally lost formation, charging around inside me like a bunch of deranged bats. I need this thing to come now.....</p>
<div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAHKCEtsBp3aWi3tQDSE0dBs5uSDRcy-11CItlzXHXUPR4wPQvZ4CvwH8-UhtktkFBdGEttRSYx2BTYc4NZzwC-dTP_E4UC2tPfyVyEORQT7vtIXxZ-detSbDvn60XLY1xHUqLvvHKKYo/s1600/20130531_175945.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAHKCEtsBp3aWi3tQDSE0dBs5uSDRcy-11CItlzXHXUPR4wPQvZ4CvwH8-UhtktkFBdGEttRSYx2BTYc4NZzwC-dTP_E4UC2tPfyVyEORQT7vtIXxZ-detSbDvn60XLY1xHUqLvvHKKYo/s640/20130531_175945.jpg' /> </a> </div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11323543169598891641noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1040516695444451498.post-56600843046724708722013-05-17T12:19:00.001+02:002013-05-17T12:19:23.108+02:00Freedom Challenge food preparations...So the days are getting less and the support boxes needs to be packed. Fruit cake baked and ready for cutting and wrapping.... The big question is... To brandy or not to brandy??<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-xCQWYVkqk37urnzGJyiWjBeRETuCaPWs8ZTMSJKLT6_vXK_on0b3z6GFb1KLjT5pKFYwBLd2tnfB41dKkX-FP2exInsFODhVsTyMUVzJnCokVfH9YXVETlXwI8DNisIGQaSFxXIXaB8/s640/blogger-image-903312014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-xCQWYVkqk37urnzGJyiWjBeRETuCaPWs8ZTMSJKLT6_vXK_on0b3z6GFb1KLjT5pKFYwBLd2tnfB41dKkX-FP2exInsFODhVsTyMUVzJnCokVfH9YXVETlXwI8DNisIGQaSFxXIXaB8/s640/blogger-image-903312014.jpg"></a></div><br></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11323543169598891641noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1040516695444451498.post-38613551890117974982013-04-19T14:24:00.001+02:002013-04-19T14:24:01.625+02:00testing testing 123...<p dir=ltr>Today the eastern freestate has thrown its best at me with pouring rain, deep slimy slippery mud, howling wind and icy single digit temperature....perfect chance to put some of my Freedom Challenge gear to the test....outcome...great success! Even although I only spent 3 hours out there, I got back home nice'n dry & cozy. Yes the Freedom trail will definitely throw much more at me, but with just the few items I was wearing, nice to know that I'm on the right track. Roll on June 15!!</p>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11323543169598891641noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1040516695444451498.post-73559395072325474992013-03-08T17:26:00.001+02:002013-03-08T17:26:03.037+02:00Freedom Challenge taster<p dir=ltr>Found this on Glenn Harrison's blogspot. Some interesting facts comparing Freedom Challenge to other well known biking events. Read these and shed a little tear for me....</p>
<p dir=ltr>Riding 2300k’s in 26 days sounds quite achievable to your average road cyclist but to ride / hike-a-bike, this distance on footpaths, tracks and trails in the middle of winter whilst climbing a cumulative altitude of 47000 metres is a remarkable accomplishment and one realized by the 28 riders who competed in the 2010 Freedom Challenge Race across South Africa. Only 16 finished!</p>
<p dir=ltr> Freedom Challenge Tour de France Cape Epic</p>
<p dir=ltr>Distance 2300km 3600km 650-1000km</p>
<p dir=ltr>Vertical Ascent 47km 25km* 14-18km</p>
<p dir=ltr>Tar <100km 3600km ?</p>
<p dir=ltr>Gates >100 0 0</p>
<p dir=ltr>*Only includes all the category climbs</p>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11323543169598891641noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1040516695444451498.post-84012094040837274222013-03-06T21:22:00.001+02:002013-03-06T21:22:16.175+02:00Navigation giggles<p dir=ltr>Hi Everyone!</p>
<p dir=ltr>As I've mentioned in my description of the freedom challenge, one of the biggest issues, especially for first time riders (rookies) like myself, is navigating the route correctly and dealing with many unforeseen 'surprise' obstacles along the way. Well tonight we received an email from race office regarding numerous issues in our preparation for the event. Just had to share one of the sections that was included in the mail...might just give you a small insight into what we may have to deal with on route. Have a read:</p>
<p dir=ltr>"13. Access</p>
<p dir=ltr>There are a few places on the route where access remains an issue. We remain satisfied that these are public routes and there is no legal basis for preventing riders utilising these routes. But just so that you are aware of the locations they are:</p>
<p dir=ltr>i. After van de Venterskraal over Koedoeskop (you might need to contend with an electric fence – but the guy living at the main gate has the key);</p>
<p dir=ltr>ii. Out of Gamkaskloof via the Ladder (you might need to climb over a new game gate);</p>
<p dir=ltr>iii. After Rouxpos through the northern section of Anysberg (you might need to content with a disgruntled Mr Meiring who is trying to get the road deproclaimed);</p>
<p dir=ltr>iv. Coeniesrivier on the way to Kasra (you may need to contend with getting lost if its dark)."</p>
<p dir=ltr>Apologies for the long post but just had to share this...</p>
<p dir=ltr>So far training going great, body just a tad drained after extended high intensities. So just taking some time out to prevent over extending. Thanks again to all supporters, funds are mounting slowly but surely. <br>
Let's do it for our rhinos people. <br>
Cheers<br>
Charles</p>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11323543169598891641noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1040516695444451498.post-82413854220226952042013-02-14T18:38:00.001+02:002013-02-14T18:38:06.718+02:00Bumping up the training intensity<p dir=ltr>So base training is nearing the end at last...yeeeehaaa!!! Now at least I get to start doing some of the fun stuff again, some lung bursting and technical climbs along with all sorts of hair raising descents. Getting a good feel for the back pack that I'll be using on Freedom Challenge...sits really well and doesn't bother me too much. <br>
One of the big positives getting out to these remote places in training are the stunning views you get treated to. These photos are taken from one of the amazing view points, and the road back down...not called the 'mineshaft' for nothing...<br>
Thanks again to all those that have donated so far. The numbers are starting to roll!! </p>
<div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWdIaaXGymn0iAD8XatCbjkoUhkL1TYhMz99UPzuhXwC-H1HeVQDK_iI0jk-D5OD9YPQiFK4kIFGWMEuMUhDzWvDeBu3mkvljyjnubvbXyI0WsJwyXSz3pBJbXfb6CGwzenofJ6g0_M7g/s1600/20130214_161906.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWdIaaXGymn0iAD8XatCbjkoUhkL1TYhMz99UPzuhXwC-H1HeVQDK_iI0jk-D5OD9YPQiFK4kIFGWMEuMUhDzWvDeBu3mkvljyjnubvbXyI0WsJwyXSz3pBJbXfb6CGwzenofJ6g0_M7g/s640/20130214_161906.jpg' /> </a> </div><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyyGq3nZVSY6JmqVqFy9wH4ouzhj7NEJAet_QfaRDRPAeBoIB1I9-7OqGku8f6JvnXk98IV0J8aIU52RtLjAqNpgJqoNry7UH4rIeSCw43vspao_ZfN90WfkIZcszTQ28IHxMEz2dp0dU/s1600/20130214_162757.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyyGq3nZVSY6JmqVqFy9wH4ouzhj7NEJAet_QfaRDRPAeBoIB1I9-7OqGku8f6JvnXk98IV0J8aIU52RtLjAqNpgJqoNry7UH4rIeSCw43vspao_ZfN90WfkIZcszTQ28IHxMEz2dp0dU/s640/20130214_162757.jpg' /> </a> </div><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLWuL2xs5k_0NjV2QVll-69JxPQlrouv-O_q7JusAbkasMe7qhNTZ5UBoZvTOxW0XAZSzANsAGXtyY8DbkIIWXoaUHrSaX9aPetwaQH9sRieP5euTtH6vhKAqac9RusykhSwadUAdYdCY/s1600/20130214_162810.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLWuL2xs5k_0NjV2QVll-69JxPQlrouv-O_q7JusAbkasMe7qhNTZ5UBoZvTOxW0XAZSzANsAGXtyY8DbkIIWXoaUHrSaX9aPetwaQH9sRieP5euTtH6vhKAqac9RusykhSwadUAdYdCY/s640/20130214_162810.jpg' /> </a> </div><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDQcHX7NPSnJEI-y0PeFpYKelNHqSaSZvZtqqit7ump67_j7Nro533L5Oh4GbPSgqdTECJwIMgyB9-nCSIqW9xagZB9GO_nNFs46K5oyVFRC8b-9tsMs97fXY2QeXsTuuhGyc08fwCYsg/s1600/20130214_162713.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDQcHX7NPSnJEI-y0PeFpYKelNHqSaSZvZtqqit7ump67_j7Nro533L5Oh4GbPSgqdTECJwIMgyB9-nCSIqW9xagZB9GO_nNFs46K5oyVFRC8b-9tsMs97fXY2QeXsTuuhGyc08fwCYsg/s640/20130214_162713.jpg' /> </a> </div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11323543169598891641noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1040516695444451498.post-55051702600983632422013-02-03T22:03:00.001+02:002013-02-03T22:03:29.735+02:00Wind & Wine!<p dir=ltr>Well folks, afraid there aren't any great fotos to share this week, had a couple of encounters with the standard "puffadder on the trail" stuff but unfortunately nothing worth capturing on camera. Slightly better than average week managing to top 18 hours on the bike. Today's ride was however the best sesion, spending about 5h30 on the bike with at least 60km of brutal head wind, combined with getting lost in the flatlands of the eastern freestate. Anyway, once my orientation skills came together and I could find my way through to Adelaid farm owned by the Beukes's, I was treated to the best lunch and plenty of beer & wine to go with the amazing food. All in all, rode 130km today on windy flatlands...great training. People who think that cycling flat country is simple....hmmmm??? Lucky Heids was there to join for lunch and drive a slightly over endulged 'me' home....gotta love training.. ;-) Next week is lining up to be a real tester as I need to scrounge together about 25 hours on the saddle and put in an honest days work aswell...."focus!!" Highlights of the week saw Lancers Inn Maseru come on-board as Title sponsers for my Freedom Challenge participation...many thanks to Johnny & Kathryn!!! Then to all those that have contributed to Rhino Challenge 2013 sofar....You are all champions..you know who you are. On a sad note to finish...January 2013 saw 59!!! Rhinos killed in poaching activity.. :-((( We need to stand together to make a difference people....!!!<br>
Yours truly in riding for those BEAUTIFUL RHINOS!!!</p>
<p dir=ltr>Cheers<br>
CHARLES</p>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11323543169598891641noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1040516695444451498.post-91977255649244276542013-01-19T19:46:00.001+02:002013-01-19T19:46:07.401+02:00Attakwas!!!<p dir=ltr>Well, that's the Attakwas extreme done. My first training race in preparation for Freedom Challenge 2013.... As much as it was a suffer fest of note, I'm really happy with current state of fitness...at this stage I'm just doing long slow base training without any high intensity 'pain' threshold training and I still managed to finish in same time as last year when I was well advanced in training for Epic...so all good. The route resembled much of what I will be facing at FC so really chuffed to be able to stress myself out in these conditions. I also made a point of riding by myself the whole time...something that FC will require....just a note of congratulations to my friend Eric Kleinhanse who pulled of a podium spot today as well as his wife Ariane....the real deal!!! Time now for some r&r with my gorgeous wife and some Chardonnay next to the ocean....cheers till next time.</p>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11323543169598891641noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1040516695444451498.post-20367605967169842102013-01-19T07:47:00.001+02:002013-01-19T07:47:18.484+02:00Attakwas 2013Charles getting ready for his first training race in preparation of the freedom challenge. Oudtshoorn to Groot Brak, 130 km later.... <br/><br/><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ_hymCKr-FxiNtBQY3GHuIecJb3jS0sE3iTH0E1kqNLZcOMY-hMasds_zy9SKRyZKNAhtUJIlg_mcBQCnElBzLjmguO6wXoUDZ7ZZE4YJVjnuossOMA1UKTphUrFMoXTfBzWbhWbLFQc/s640/blogger-image-1488537408.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ_hymCKr-FxiNtBQY3GHuIecJb3jS0sE3iTH0E1kqNLZcOMY-hMasds_zy9SKRyZKNAhtUJIlg_mcBQCnElBzLjmguO6wXoUDZ7ZZE4YJVjnuossOMA1UKTphUrFMoXTfBzWbhWbLFQc/s640/blogger-image-1488537408.jpg" /></a></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11323543169598891641noreply@blogger.com0Ruitersbos Nature Reserve (null)-33.85326 22.020385tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1040516695444451498.post-40178890299578923542013-01-17T10:33:00.003+02:002013-01-17T12:23:12.018+02:00Introduction - Rhino Challenge<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Dear Family and Friends<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This is my first post, hopefully of many, on what’s
happening in 2013. As you will have noticed, I have just recently launched a
blog site and facebook page that will be covering my Freedom Challenge
training/preparation and then the event itself. There are still sections on the
blog page that need to be completed, such as sponsorship process etc. these
details should all be available shortly.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">In November last year my application to participate in
the 2013 Freedom Challenge was accepted. More information on the Freedom
Challenge in a minute. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">As many of you will know, I competed in the 2012 ABSA Cape
Epic thanks to the very generous sponsorship from Lancers Inn, Maseru.
Partnering up with Malcolm Heathfield, team Lancers Inn managed to finish just
inside the top 100 out of 600 teams on grand classification, not a bad result
considering this being our first Cape Epic, the intensity and difficulty of
this event!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Freedom Challenge is an event of a very different
nature. Unlike the ABSA Cape Epic which is a fully supported multi-stage team
event, the Freedom Challenge is a non-stop, solo and unsupported event,
starting in Pietermaritzburg and finishing 2300 kilomters later just outside
Paarl in the western cape. Over and above the distance and difficulty of the
route, the event is held in the heart of winter with competitors facing extreme
weather conditions, especially while crossing the southern Drakensburg/Maluti
mountain ranges, where temperatures will be plummeting deep into the sub-zero
numbers. Each rider will need to carry all clothing and spares in a back-pack,
while food and other items can be sent forward in 2 litre containers to the
checkpoints that the rider will be passing. Participants will be starting in
batches between the 9th and 19th of June 2013, depending on the estimated pace
of the rider. Slower riders start first with the faster competing riders
starting last. To make it just that bit more fun, competitors are not permitted
to make use of GPS devices for navigation. A pre-defined route needs to be
navigated by 1:50000 topographical maps and compass only! The rider will pass
25 stations along the route where food and beds are on offer. For riders
attempting to complete the route as quickly as possible, most of these stations
are merely places to check in, grab food and keep moving. Therefore much of the
recovery and rest happens on the bike and outside on the trail where average
daily rest barely exceeds 3-4 hours....unfortunately I will be in this category
of competitor..."whoop whoop!!" As for the route itself, if one could
imagine a line looping down from Pietermaritzburg, crossing the southern
drakensburg, moving under the shadow of the escarpment passing below Lesotho,
through the eastern cape and on into the Karoo, through the Baviaans kloof,
then along and over the Groot Swartberg mountains, leading into the western
cape and finally crossing over the DuToits kloof pass down into Paarl. The full
Freedom Challenge Race Across South Africa will generally see a 50% success
rate amongst competitors. The prize? a complementary pizza and a finishers
Basotho blanket. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Essentially the Freedom Challenge is not about lights and
glamor, but more the very humbling experience of crossing this beautiful
country of ours on a mountain bike while completing South Africa's toughest
ultra-endurance event.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">With regards to funding, my thinking for the Freedom Challenge
is to involve as many of you as I can in tackling this event full-on. I have
gained permission from the event organizers to compete on behalf of the Project
Rhino KZN, under the African Wildlife Trust. The aim is obviously to assist in
raising what I can to donate funds in helping fight this dreadful scourge of
Rhino poaching that has infested this breath-taking country of ours. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">My request is a simple one: who would like to be involved in
the form of sponsoring per kilometre or even just making a random contribution?
Any donation will make a massive difference and will be appreciated so much.
Cost for participation which includes entry, food and gear is in the region of
R20 000,00 all excess funds will be donated to Project Rhino KZN, which is
managed under the African Conservation Trust. For those of you keen to support,
please encourage friends and businesses alike to get involved.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I will certainly welcome any comments or ideas from anyone
at this stage, but for now, I would like to measure the level of participation
following this email. I would really appreciate a reply from those who might be
keen to support this adventure and ultimately the Rhinos who are facing a MUCH
larger and more serious 'Freedom Challenge' of their own.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">For anyone wanting to read up on the Freedom Challenge and
Project Rhino KZN, you can do so at the following addresses:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Freedom Challenge<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> <a href="http://www.freedomchallenge.org.za/">www.freedomchallenge.org.za</a> </span> ; Project
Rhino KZN <a href="http://www.projectrhinokzn.org/">www.projectrhinokzn.org/</a> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I look forward to everyone's response</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Kind regards</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Charles<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11323543169598891641noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1040516695444451498.post-75058889735202005672013-01-16T13:35:00.004+02:002013-01-16T16:57:35.713+02:00Charles's mountainbiking story:<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">After school and university, I got
wrapped up in the business world and really let my state of physical health slip
into the doldrums. Absolutely no excercising discipline existed which went
completely against everything I stood for. Following desperate attempts to try
and turn my state of health around, even leaving Johannesburg for Cape Town,
conditions worsened. My lowest moment came when I got onto one of those
non-digital, rotating dial scales that only measured to 125
kilograms....confusion turned to disbelief and then shock when the scale read 15
kilograms!!!...yes...it had gone full circle, passed begin, collected another
dohnut and settled on 15...I was weighing more than 140kilos!!! Something
drastic needed to happen...so Heids and I decided to move to the sleepy little
town of Ladybrand in the eastern Freestate.</span><br />
<a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /><br />Soon after our arrival, I
decided to become more conscious of my eating habits and very quickly managed to
shed a couple of kilos. One thing led to another and it wasn't long before I was
invited by Leon, a friend in Ladybrand, to join him for a bike ride. Excuses
flowed and after a couple of weeks in hiding I just couldn't get away with it
anymore...30kilometers were covered in nothing less than 2hours and plenty!!..as
much as I felt like my body had been turned inside out, there was a sense of
achievement and I agreed to do it again...hoping it wouldn't be too soon... No
such luck, within the next week I was roped into repeating this murderous
exercise, Leon was not one to take a "no thanks" On this ride, though, Leon had
decided that he and I were going to start training for the Argus...yes sir!! no
sir!! three bags full sir!!... Unfortunately not long after this, tragedy struck
and Leon passed away in a terrible car accident. <br />My sense of loyalty kicked
in and I decided to ride the Argus in memory of Leon. I roped in a couple of
other folk who would commit to training themselves up and joining me on the ride
for Leon. Training began in ernest, new bikes were bought and slowly but surely,
the numbers on the scale were decreasing steadily.<br />Then came the second
tragedy, Jannie, a very good friend of mine from Johannesburg who agreed to join
us at the Argus, passed away from a heart attack! What could one say, this was
really becoming one of the most inexplicably emotional journeys. <br />Instead of
getting too caught up in these tragedies, somehow I decided to go through the
roof in preparing for the Argus. I was going to give everything to the memory of
Leon and Jannie. Some local mountain bike races came up in area and I decided to
enter a couple.<br /><br />By now I was managing to complete that original 30km loop
that Leon first took me on, in about 1 hour and 40 minutes...almost an hour off
that first attempt!! Somehow, without any previous experience in racing, I was
managing to finish in the top half of the entrants and started to believe more
and more in my abilities.<br />When Argus came along, we had an awesome ride and
celebrated the lives of Leon and Jannie through the ride and then well into the
night....<br /><br />Returning to Ladybrand, I was now tipping the scales at around
the 125 kilo mark, most importantly...I wasn't passing the zero on that scale
anymore!! There may not have been a training goal but somehow I had become
'addicted' to the excercise...more bikes were bought and committment
increased..."stand back!! we don't know how big this things gonna be"<br />More
and more races were attended with results improving all the time. Training
intensity was going balistic and by now I was well under the 1hr30min mark for
that 30kilomtere route, now more commonly known as "Leon's loop" the next year
saw me competing in a number of the bigger marathons around the country,
including the monster Trans Baviaans, a 230 kilometer race through the Baviaans
kloof. This was almost exactly a year after that very first 30 kilomter ride
with Leon. Somehow there was always just another goal to be achieved as time
went on. The following year saw me getting a last minute invite to ride the 9
day Joberg2c race, my partner would be Malcolm Heathfield whom I had never met
before and wow! did we ride well together, we ended up finishing in 15th overall
position out of more than 250 teams!<br /> <br />Back to the scale, I was now
clocking in at around 110kilos and Leons loop was down to about 1h15minutes.
More bikes were bought and finally the big decision had to be made...was I ready
to take on the toughest stage race in the world? the ABSA Cape Epic, the answer
came easily when Lancers Inn Maseru offered to sponsor our entry fee, Malcolm
agreed and now the training got super serious...<br />Epic training would go on to
log more than 12000km's on the roads, 121000 meters of climbing and countless
hours in the saddle. Just prior to the Epic I was tilting the scales at 96kilos
and completing Leon's loop in 1h 5 minutes.. All in all, 45kilos in weightloss
and more than 1h30min off Leon's loop...our goal for the Epic...top 100...to cut
a really long story short, we sneaked in at 99th spot overall, totally over the
moon for achieving a seamingly impossible goal.<br /><br /><br />I have always had an
increadibly competitive nature and since the Epic, I found myself wondering
around, not really having that all important goal to train for....Hello Freedom
Challenge 2013!!! Bring it on!!!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
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