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g n i Rac Words & Photos by Dino Marusich
the e g n e l l a h C m o Freed The 2012 edition of the Freedom Challenge 2,300 km Mountain Bike Race Across South Africa started with the first group of riders setting out on 9 June. Every day thereafter batches of riders departed Pietermaritzburg, with the last group leaving at 6 a.m. on 19 June. I was in the H batch, which consisted of the only three participants (August Carstens, Sean Privett and myself) who were taking part in the extreme triathlon; the Dusi Trail Run (70km), which was followed by the Freedom Challenge the next day and concluded with the Berg River Canoe Marathon (240km). Our group left on 17 June and this was to be my first attempt at this famous and feared event in which mountain bike riders complete this 2,300 km non-stop race unsupported by self-navigating their way throughout (no GPS permitted) in the 26-day cutoff. This is my humble attempt to make sense of and do justice to one of the most amazing experiences anyone can have the privilege of being a part of.
of Roadside repairs on the way to Baviaan'sKlo
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a river Katarina using a different technique to cross
After almost a year of preparation - reviewing the maps and narrative supplied by the organisers, selecting the appropriate gear and deciding on my steed for the event - I was certain this event would be nothing more than a few long training rides strung together over 18 to 20 days. My plan was to relax in the group for the first few days, learn how to read the maps and then push on ahead. I was in for a rude awakening ... On the morning of departure my group, which consisted of nine riders, set off from the Pietermaritzburg Town Hall, at 6 a.m., at a cracking pace on the quiet tar roads through the city. Trailing behind I pushed hard to try and keep them in sight as I only had maps from the entrance to Bisley Nature Reserve, situated on the outskirts of town. Upon reaching the reserve I discovered that they had passed through 10 minutes earlier and disappeared. So much for my well laid plans!
Over the next 24 days I came to realise that this race demanded your full attention, and despite the long days in the saddle there was no time to get bored. My senses, numbed by the chaos of our daily existence, were reignited, invigorated, challenged and exposed to exciting new stimuli. Around every corner I encountered views that were so diverse, yet equally breathtaking in their own right. And the sheer size of the mountains is what struck me first and foremost. Riding close to the Lesotho border gave me the opportunity to take in these lumbering giants, with passes so long and gradients so steep and tough that many a rider had to dismount to gain ground.
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The long road to Willowmore
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River crossings in Stettynskloof were tough and cold
The top of the ladder exiting Die Hel
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Steel container on top of Lehana Pass
Being winter it could get bitterly cold, the wind chill bringing the mercury well below freezing. Myself, Jody Forrester and Andre Visser found this out the hard way after taking the decision on day six to push over Lehana's Pass, the highest in South Africa at 2,800 m. After being rained on for most of the day and all our gear soaked through we started along the pass at 1 p.m. Taking on this writhing serpent entailed carrying or pushing our bikes for approximately 10 km, to gain 1,000 m vertical metres. To add to the challenge, as we neared the top, the weather once again quickly turned, kicking up a gale force wind that, at one point, swept me off my feet and down the side of the mountain. Shaken, I safely returned to the road and we set off once more, our wet layers of clothing doing little to protect us from the cutting the wind that had chilled us to our bones. By the time we reached the summit, the sun had disappeared and it started to snow. Freezing cold and with no light to guide us, we were unable to find the path that would take us down the mountain. Our only refuge was a steel container that had been put there by the Mountain Club of South Africa. What followed was a very cold, hungry and long night. The steel drained what little heat we generated inside, and the container shuddered and moaned as the relentless gale tried to tear it off the mountain. A bitterly cold morning finally arrived, but at least the wind had settled and we, very thankful to be alive, emerged to complete the 35 km into Rhodes for some much-needed food and hot coffee. Navigation had been a problem for me in the first few days, but the many laborious hours of carrying my bike over the mountains had made a quick learner out of me. Thereafter I only made a few minor mistakes in the days that followed. Equipment failure was a constant concern for competitors in the harsh conditions and my luck finally ran out when my fork bent from days of abuse. This resulted in me having to sit out for a day until a farmer kindly allowed me to use his welder to make a temporary fix, which I hoped would hold up on the remaining 1,400 km route to the finishing line. Back on the road alone, the next few days were an absolute pleasure as I cruised along, my concerns washed away with each passing kilometre. My bike and body were holding up, and I had time to appreciate the landscape, a kaleidoscope of beautiful vistas. There were also many interactions with wildlife at close quarters, including three rhino no more than 10 m away. Fortunately for me, they chose to amble off in the opposite direction, leaving me once again to my peace and solitude.
Two riders, Roman and Katarina, from Slovakia caught up to me and we rode the last 800 km together. Although some things were lost in translation, we shared many evenings enjoying the great food, provided by our hosts, in front of a roaring fireplace. During the days we talked about our countries and how the challenges we face are remarkably similar. As for the challenges of the race nothing seemed insurmountable at this point. What would have flustered me at the start became just another small issue to deal with. As each day flowed into the next, they were by no means easy. Each day brought its own challenges, be it a portage or a long mountain pass. Then there were the times where I had nothing left in the tank and had to dig deep and tough it out for an hour or two until I regained some energy. The last day finally dawned. With only 54km to the finish, it remained a daunting task as the majority of my time was spent carrying my bike through Stettynskloof, which consisted of no paths, just stone beacons urging you on, river crossings and a near vertical exit point. Setting out at 6 a.m., any thoughts of an easy day were quickly dispelled at the first river crossing. Fast flowing, thigh high water required a bracing stick and careful footwork to get across, and a 10 m wide section took the better part of an hour to cross. Progress was slow but we kept moving forward, the knowledge that the finish was close motivating us. With a last push to climb out of Stettyn we finally reached some rideable terrain and made our way up Du Toitskloof Pass. Turning off the tar we were met by the most beautiful sunset over Wellington, its magnificence helping us to momentarily forget our aches and pains. The last few kilometres downhill to the finish at Diemersfontein meandered through aromatic pine plantations and scenic vineyards, a setting well worthy of the unbelievable experience I had just been through. I crossed the line in fourth place - I like the ideal that after first, second and third, all the remaining competitors finish fourth, which is in keeping with the ethos of this race - in a time of 23 days and 12 hours.
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d the finish Katarina, Roman and myself glad to have reache
Game fences posed an interesting delema
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Pass number three for the day on the way into Gamkaskloof and Die Hel
The event was won by seven-time Dusi Canoe Marathon champion and top adventure sportsman Martin Dreyer, who shattered the course record in the process. His total time was 10 days 16 hours 40 minutes, hacking a massive 1 day 22 hours 10 minutes off the previous record of 12 days 15 hours 30 minutes, set by 2011 winner Alex Harris. Harris, winner in 2010 and 2011, finished second to Dreyer with a total time of 10 days 23 hours 57 minutes, also well inside his previous record. The final podium place was filled by Graham Bird, a former top international canoeist and a member of South Africa’s top adventure racing team. Throughout the event I was overcome by the generosity and hospitality of the many South Africans that crossed my path, and everyone who assisted me and wished me luck will always have a special place in my heart. My thanks go to the organisers for not only having created a fantastic race, but for creating the opportunity to experience how exceptional this country and its people are.
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Race information can be obtained from www.freedomchallenge.org.za. To participate in the 2013 Freedom Challenge Race Across South Africa, 2013 Ride to Rhodes Rough Ride or Extreme Triathlon Challenge to take place in June 2013 go to http://www.freedomchallenge.org.za
11 dos and don'ts: Gain confidence in map reading and 1. practise this skill before the race. Have a basic understanding of how your 2. bike works and how to fix it. Practise carrying your bike (a shoulder 3. strap can be useful). Include hiking in your training, and ride 4. with a pack as it changes your center of gravity and how the bike handles. Eat regularly, and eat natural foods as 5. much as possible because you will get tired of energy supplements. The race website has a forum that you 6. can use to get in contact with previous competitors, who are a mine of information and more than willing to help out. The right clothing is critical. There are 7. various options available so always take your needs into consideration and don’t just follow the crowd. Involve your family and friends as a friendly 8. sms may be what you need to finish a tough day. Unless you are racing to win, take a 9. camera to document your experience. Immerse yourself in the experience and 10. enjoy it. Don’t give up, slow down if you have to, 11. but keep moving forward.•
More articles in DO IT NOW Magazine: ❱❱ Mountain Bike World Cup by Ben Melt Swanepoel ❱❱ Kinetic Adventure Series by Heidi Muller ❱❱ Power Training with Explosive Results by Hannele Steyn
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