The Freedom Challenge account begins: (Please excuse any spelling errors) Day one on the Freedom Challenge effectively started the 10 June, the day before we embarked from Pietermaritzburg on the incredible adventure that the Freedom Challenge is! I was wondering if it was a good omen as it was my birthday too. I had also silently concerned myself a week prior that my Freedom Challenge was in jeopardy as I had required to see a medical doctor for a viral chest infection and was on a heavy dose of antibiotics. The last of the tablets taken the day before my departure for Pietermaritzburg. 10 solid months of training and sacrifices, I wasn’t prepared to let a viral infection rule any decision about me taking part in Freedom. For want of keeping things in the picture and as most know, Fanie Coetzee became pretty much part of my journey as I his. Where applicable, possible and certain, he will be included in my memoir as I attempt to provide an account of our experience. Having been driven the 600km up to Pietermaritzburg by dad from Queenstown, we arrived at Aintree Lodge, our destination sleepover and start of the race. Our arrival was late afternoon and Fanie, who I had not met yet and was already booked in, had taken a flight from Cape Town to Durban and a shuttle service up to Pietermaritzburg earlier in the day. Bike and bags unpacked there was much small talk and chatter with Meryl (Race office) as well as George Weinekus, A Cape Town lad but also with my hometown connections. Dinner was 6.30 for 7 and we all congregated in the dinning hall eventually meeting up with the rest of the batch of 10 riders that was leaving the following morning. Half would be riding the mini Freedom Challenge which was the ride to Rhodes (500km) and the rest of us were taking part in the race across South Africa, 2300km. There were some experienced veterans and previous challengers in our group back for another stab at this monstrous race. It was an honour to meet some of these legends! After a filling dinner course, Dave Wadilove, founder and director of the Freedom Challenge proceeded to address us and tell us a little more about the Freedom Challenge, what to expect as well as dos and don’ts. Fanie and I happened to be sitting at the same table and got chatting about gear &, packaging. I don’t know if I was imagining things, but on the face of some of us rookies, there was that look of nervous tension. Dave pulled no punches. Freedom Challenge is hard! Riders are to make sensible decisions out there and not take un-necessary risks. We were warned about the first day, the Umkomas Valley, Hela Hela climb etc. and how not to end your first day doing something foolish. We were warned that many before us had thrown in the towel on the first day as the Freedom Challenge will throw everything at you. We were also advised that even though we have trackers and can activate an SOS, there is no such thing as the ‘golden hour’ on the Freedom Trail. If in distress, it may take time to get to a rider due to the desolate and isolated nature of the race. The dinner and speeches were over before 9pm. We were given a quick demo and handed our tracker devices and chargers. Regroup time was advised at 5.30am the next day where we would leave from Aintree Lodge gate and ride in group to the Town Hall where we would depart at 6am. Breakfast would be 4.30am. Off to our rooms, I got stuck into my backpack, again! For the umpteenth time! Packing and repacking! I ended up dumping a few more items I believed I would not require?? Bottles filled. Hydration pack filled. Clothing lay out and bag packed that must be returned home. I took a shower and then the long night a-waited. As most of us, I hardly slept! ....to be cont
Posted on: Sat, 28 Jun 2014 07:20:21 +0000
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