Die omswerwings en ervarings van 'n Freedom Challenger: June 2010
Die sleeping beauties ontwaak uit hul hinderlaag, spring goed weg. Die duiwel se wind steek op, waai reg wes, die wind blaas so lekker, dit blaas my van my fiets af. Die rusdag het my lyf in herstel geplaas, gedink die oorlog is verby, my kniee en enkels is dik geswel, my oë is gepof en die lyf weier, met elke kilometer gaan dit beter en stadig besluit my lyf die oorlog is nog nie verby nie, daar is nog nie tyd vir herstel nie.
Net voor 16H00 in Cambria ons behoort voor 24H00 by Damsedrift te wees, net 80 km en die klowe behoort ons te beskerm teen die wind. Ons val in die pad en die verlange pak my beet, ek mis my wonderlike vrou en kinders, hulle ondersteun my 'n 1000% in wat ek mag aanvang en uitdink, ek mis my familie en pelle en besluit toe sommer om almal te bel. Bo op die berg onder skuiling van fynbos beloer ek en August die sterreprag, ons vorder goed. Die laaste 30 km besluit die wind hy gee ons 'n time penalty, ons beweeg @ 10 km/h as jy nie afgewaai word nie. My middernag planne verdwyn en word 1H40, August leer nog nuwe woorde, die polisiehond modder, die F@kken sinkplaatpad en die F@##%n Duiwelse wind. August val weer terug, ek gaan haal en stoot sy fiets, die pad word alweer lank, heeltemal te lank vir my smaak en kort voor lank het ek en August 'n baie diep gesprek. Ek kan nie so aangaan nie, of August delf diep vir nuwe kragte en bly by my of ek los hom, ek vra hom sy sel nommer, sodat ek seker kan maak hy is oriaat op my tog vorentoe. August gee my sy nommer en ek beduie hy moet net aanhou met die pad en ek val in die pad teen die duiwelse wind. Blykbaar was dit die aansporing wat August nodig gehad het, harde woorde van inspirasie, want sy liggie bly op my hakke. So 15km voor Dam se Drift vind ons skuiling teen die wind, 'n blaas kans om my bloed af te koel, gaan niks nou nooit weer vir ons regloop nie ? Moeg geswoeg gaan slaap ons 3H00 die oggend in die beskerming van Dam se Drift met die geloei van die wind in my ore en ek wonder waar bevind Carl Crous homself nou ?
7H00 by Bucklands, 26 uur en 295 km later, ons het 'n moerse fout gemaak om so lank aanmekaar te ry, maar dis nou gedane sake, nou moet ons die gemors herstel en dit gaan 'n slim plan kos.
Ons eet 'n lekker ontbyt en verwarm my geroeste binneste met 'n warm stort. Ek sak soos 'n vrag beesmis op die bed neer en binne sekondes slaap ek, te moeg om eers te droom. August wonder vir 10 sekondes hoe hy aan die slaap gaan raak met die snorkende beer langs hom, toe is hy ook weg.
Raak 15H00 wakker, my klein tongetjie voel soos 'n rasper, my ogies geswel soos pofmuise, maar ek is weer gecharge, reg vir more wanneer die wind en weer verby is. Die klere is gewas, Rinie het my broek gestop, my pens is vol kos en ek het genoeg slaap.
Ons weet waartoe ons instaat is, 295 km in 26 uur, en van more af raak verdwaal al minder. En dit my liewe vrind is hoe mens met die swaai van die Freedom staffie die eens magtige boere komando in die Sleeping Beauties verander, maar wees gewaarsku die race is nie verby tot die vet meisie gesing het nie, en ek sien nog nie 'n vet meisie nie.
Die 26 uur dag. Spring 5H00 by De Doorns weg, ons volg Carl se kraakvars nuwe spoor, hy het weer 'n regsom maneuver gemaak, gelukkig vinnig sy fout reggemaak. Vroeg oggend by Otom David en Tannie Verity van Struishoek, Oom David oortuig ons om ontbyt te eet en ek stem in, daar het 'n rustigheid oor die oorblywende krygers neergesak en ons geniet die goeie geselskap, Ek verneem van oom David dat Carl 'n uur voor ons daar verby is, baie haastig gewees en nie tyd gehad vir ontbyt nie. Dis regtig 'n voorreg om tyd saam met Oom David, Tannie Verity en Tim en sy gesin te spandeer, aardse omgee mense die en ek sou graag langer omgee geselstyd saam met hulle wou spandeer. Stijn Laenen of Seven Bernette reken is nie maklik moontlik om De Doorns na Bucklands in een trek te doen nie, maar ek het volle vertroue dat ons dit vandag gaan maak en met nuwe krag val ons weer in die pad.
Op pad na Van de Venters kry ons 'n ou Singer naaimasjien langs die pad en verander dit dadelik in 'n roete wyser. Nuttig middagete by Van de Venters en net na 17H00 by Toekomst vir 'n smul lekker ete, dis wys om oor te slaap maar daar is 'n front op pad en ons stoot aan. Phillip verduidelik die pad so goed dat ek die pad al geselsende ry sonder om te verdwaal. Die aandlig is bedompig warm, ons ry sonder warm klere, August word die kalf vanger van Darlingtomdam toe 'n stuk of 100 kalwers hom agtervolg.
Sukkel bietjie om die skelm ingang tot die Gwaasvallei te kry, dis altyd 'n moeilike ingang om te vind en in die donker tas ons vir 'n paar minute rond voor ons die padjie in die duister vind. Ek sien hoe die front inkom en hoe die helder maan agter die wolke gaan wegkruip, ons so 02H00 in Bucklands wees maar toe kom die duiwel en donner al my beplanning op.
'n Fyn deurdringende stringetjies reën sak uit, August begin amps trek, ek sien hoe hy kwyn, hy besluit om by Dooringfontein te gaan slaap. August is moertoe, en ons val verder en verder terug, ek bied aan ons sy fiets te stoot en by die verlate opstal net voor die Perdepoort afdraai vind ons skuiling teen die reën. My water is klaar, ek het dit vir August gegee, die windpomp by die opstal knars in die wind en ek wonder of hy nog water pomp, maar die gat is lankal droog of die pyp is vol gate, geen water nie net die deurdringende reën.
Ek oorweeg om dalk 'n rukkie op die stoep te slaap sodat August weer van sy kragte kan herwin, minute word 'n uur en in die gietende stringetjies reën val ons in die pad. August is op soos baie ou skoene, wag -wag vorder ons tot by Doorfontein, ek is moeg gewag, moeg gery en haastig om in die pad te val na Bucklands. Ek is jammer om van August afskeid te neem, maar daar is nog 'n baie lang pad na Diemersfontein en ek gaan nie vir Crous met die slakke van ons vang nie. Ek skud blad en val in die pad, August herroep sy besluit,en in 'n oogwink kos ek ons 2 ure.
In plaas dat ek omdraai na die afraai donner ek af teen die berg en neem die volgende afdraai, na 3 km besef ek my fout en draai om, die vinnige woerts warts teen die berg af word nou 'n baie stadige modderige slakkepas terug. Baie stadiger as ons slakkepas to by Doorfontein, kruip ons die berg weer uit tot by die regte afdraai, ek is moeg debliksem verby vir myself, dit was onnodig en kos ons nou baie tyd.
Die Duiwel is lustig, dit reën harder en die wind loei nou, die eens wonderlike pad verander in 'n modder geveg, August leer nuwe woorde. Ek oorweeg om by Doringfontein te slaap, maar reken dat ons nie so laat iemand moet opklop nie en dat ons maar moet aanstoot terwyl die modder geveg nie te groot is nie. Die koedoes spring en ek is nat van binne en buite, gatvol en moeg, dis 'n moerse fout gewees en so ploeter ek aan, al wonderend oor hoe ek so onnosel kon wees.
By Kleinpoort maak ek my bottel vol reënwater, raak 6 keer op die fiets aan die slaap, nogal 'n groot voordeel, die pad was heelwat korter. 26 uur en 295 km verder stop ons in Bucklands, dit sluit nou die verkeerd ry en die 7 km links afdraai na Bucklands in, wat nie in die aanwysings verskyn nie.
Tot my groot verbasing is Crous ook nog nie daar nie, so half uur later val hy daar in, hy het lekker snoesig in sy slaapsak op die stoep van die Algemene Handelaar in Kleinpoort geslaap en hy is nou oppad na Cambria, net 'n vinnige ontbyt dan vat hy die pad.
Ek moet besluit wat om te maak, ek is moertoe en August is nog verder heen, ons het slaap nodig, Osseberg in die donker is nie 'n speletjie nie, en ek besluit toe maar om hinderlaag te lê, ons lê laag en hinder niemand nie, en laat Crous sy jaagtog voortsit, gaan dit my latere spyt word ?
Begin 4H00 met die rol maal bewegings, kom vroegdag by Elandsberg aan, dis nogal baie voordelig om die vorige jaar so al op jou eie te gery het, jy weet waar jy die vorige jaar foute gemaak het en hoe om dit nie weer te maak nie. Ons eet 'n lekker ontbyt by Elandsberg, August het hoeka gekla dat vis en chips nie genoeg is vir hom nie. Alles loop voor die wind en ons eet 'n vroe middag ete by Stuttgaurd, ons val in die pad en Carl beur regs, ek sê links, maar ons bly regs aan donner. Ek probeer Carl oortuig ons is verkeerd maar in die proses oortuig ek myself dat ek dalk verlede jaar 'n verkeerde pad gevat het, links of reg ons kom tog altyd op dieselfde plek uit.......Alles lyk baie vreemd, Carl is oortuig ons is op die regte pad en ons donner voort die berge uit en toe ons sowat 15km weg van ons oorspronklike afdraai is gee Crous toe dat ons dalk nie op die regte pad is nie. Na 'n wilde 2 ure draai bevind ons onself op die regte pad, alles lyk nou vir my en Crous bekend en ons maak weer goeie vordering.
Oom Gawie van Gansvlei, my redder van die sneeu storm verlede jaar is nie tuis nie en in die laaste lig pak ons die Skufteberge aan. August se battery is pap, die jongman sukkel om by te hou, dalk poog hy om nie te na aan die warm stryery tussen my en Crous te kom nie. August raak agter, ver agter en ons wag wag die berg uit, by Skufteberg opstal trek ons warm aan, die vrieskas is alweer oopgelaat. Die plan is nogsteeds om Van de Venterskraal te haal.
Die damwal bars by Coetserskloofspruit, Carl wil regs en ek sê links langs die spruit, 'n woorde wisseling vind plaas en ons trek regs, na 'n halfuur skop ek vas, ek is hierdie keer dood seker ons is verkeerd. Dis donker en twee groot manne pak mekaar met groot woorde en arme August bevind hom in die middel, hy weet self nie waar hy homself nou bevind nie. harde woorde weergalm teen die kranse uit, die donkerte sluk die harde woorde in en August bevind hom in 'n doodse stilte en stadig beweeg die liggies uitmekaar en links en een regs. My bloed kook, Crous se bloed kook, August se bloed is yskoud, hy weet nie wat homself nou getref het nie en in die stik donker stilte beweeg die liggie uitmekaar. August moet 'n keuse maak, ek dink sy grootste vrees was ons saam met enig een van ons te gaan, die woorde was vuurwarm en hard, maar hy kan nie alleen daar bly nie en besluit toe maar om links te gaan......
Met ons aankoms by De Doorns is Crous nog nie daar nie, ek weet hy moes seker iewers besef hy is op die verkeerde pad, ek wonder waar hy homself nou bevind en of ek hom weer gerurende die race sal sien ? Twee ure later begroet 'n bebloede Crous my, die doringtakke het hom opgekerf, en sy enigste woorde aan my : JY WAS REG !!!!
Crous is moeg debliksem in en ons besluit saam om ons eie paaie te gaan, hy vra om verskoning, ek vra om verskoning en August hou groot oog die gesprek dop. Carl vra my hoe laat ek more gaan ry, ek sê 4H00 en hy sê dan trek hy 3H00 weg en so in die knetter van die kaggel onstspoor die eens magtige boere trein ten goede, die volgende argument so dalk nie met vuurwarm warm bulderende woorde ge-eindig het nie.
150 km vir die dag gedoen, was van plan om by Van de Venterkraal te slaap, maar 'n klein omswerwing hier en daar laat ons gestrand voor 'n somber kaggel. Terwyl ek so in die vuur staar pak die verlange my beet, ek mis my Ingelsman Melanie en die kinders Alison en Danielle, gelukkig het Melanie 'n stel prag foto's vir my gemaak wat ek so op die rugsak saam piekel.
Andrew en Tim is ysters, om elke dag so hard te ry vat aan 'n man, later in die dag worddie gat en die ander goed maar bra seer, maar dis wanneer dit donker word wanneer die ou diesel inskop, ry dan baie beter, voel ook sommer baie beter. Die boere trein het sy laaste rit gedoen, twee van dieselfde generaals kan nie een trein stuur nie, ons doelwit is dieselfde, maar ek het 'n links en Crous 'n regs en elkeen glo en weet hy's reg, en kom op sy manier by die plek uit. Sterkte ou maat sien jou by die einde in Diemersfontein, ek gaan linksom.
5H30 in die pad, August maak kennis met die gevreesde swart modder, jou fiets word sommer gou-gou baie swaarder en jy besef sommer vinnig dis baie beter om te dra as om te stoot. Dis baie kouer vanjaar, en ek is 'n man wat van die winter hou, maar dis darem heeltemal te koud, jou wasem fries amper voor dit jou mond verlaat, ons is voor Mark en sy bende en met hul liggies kort op ons hakke weet ek vandag is maak of breek.
Ons stop by 'n opstal na Slaapkranz portage, iemand het ons 'n smeeulende vuurtjie gelos, August steel die laaste bietjie hitte van die smeeulende vuurtjie om sy gevriesde voete weer nuwe lewe in te blaas, Crous eet 'n lemoen en beduie ons moet gou maak, Mark en sy bende is oppad. Crous kies 'n nuwe direkte roete na die kruin van Bontehoek portage, dis baie styler en meer ongelyk, ek vertel hom van die jeep track, maar Crous oortuig my dis die vinnigste pad en gedwee volg ons. In die verte sien ons vir Mark en sy bende besig met hulle opmars en ons stoei moedig die styl klim uit en voor ons weet is Mark en sy bende verby ons, hulle ken seker 'n baie vinniger kort pad.
Bontehoek is een modder spul, geen vastrap plek en ons gly die berg af en in die verte verdwyn Mark en sy span, 'n klap geluid, die geluid wat elke Freedom challenge vrees, die meegee van metaal wat jou fiets aanmekaar hou breek die stilte. Carl se Ibis het hom sopas ingelig dat hy nou genoeg gehad het van die swaar vrag en die modder wat hy moet trotseer, een van die links wat die agtestewe van die fiets aan die voorkant vashou het morsaf gebreek, 'n skoon breek soos die dokters sal sê. Ons is tussen niks en nêrens, daar is nie sein nie en planmaak sal ons vinnig moet maak, dis net 'n kwessie van tyd voor die ander link ook die gees gaan gee. Ons stop by die opstal onderkant Bontehoek, 'n jong vrou maak oop en Carl nooi ons vir koffie, die boer is nie by die huis nie en sy gereedskap is toegesluit, ons sal maar langs die pad 'n plan moet maak.
Carl is hardkoppig soos ek hom ken, en oppad Rossow toe oortuig ek hom uiteindelik om te stop sodat ons 'n boere plan kan maak, ek leun 'n stukkie bloudraad van een van die grensdrade en siedaar 'n nuwe bloudraad boere link, dit gaan nie vir altyd hou nie, maar dit gaan ons by die volgende opstal met 'n nuwe plan uitbring.
Ons top by die polisiestasie in Rossow, die enigste plek met hopende 'n landlyn wat werk, Carl bel vir David om hom in te lig van st sutuasie, die oplossing volgens david is eenvoudig, maak die ou fiets reg met 'n boereplan of kry 'n ander fiets en geniet 'n " time penalty ". Die tyd van die time penalty moet nog bepaal word, maar daar sal verseker een wees. Met die woorde begroet Crous my na sy oproep, hy het besluit hy kry 'n ander fiets, sy broer is reeds oppad en die race om te wen is nou in my hande, hy gaan 'n penalty kry...
Die gemoed is somber, almal is stil, niemand sê niks en in die stilte jaag ons voort, dis so asof Carl van bedonnerdgyt sy fiets in die grond in wil ry en met elke trap tel ons spoed op, ons vlieg vinnig by Danie van Moordenaarspoort in vir 'n baie vinnige bord sop. Die sop het skaars maag gevat toe word die wilde jaagtog voor gesit, ons stel 'n nuwe rekord met 'n bloudraad gelapte fiets op na Slaapkranz in 2H16 en dit teen 'n jongerige Freedom Challenge wind.
Carl het met Willie sy broer gereel om die spaar fiets by Brostelea af te laai, Sandra se lekker kos word afgewurg en opgestapel vir die jaagtog wat voorlê en weereens val ons in die pad die broodkrummes en konfyt hak nog op my baard vas, sal hulle later aflek wanner die opgestapelde kos gesak het. Ons sny die aarde oop, daar is nie eers kans vir poep nie, opstalle flits verby, ek ontwikkel 'n ongemaklike pyn in my lies en die jong Freedom Challenge wind word groot. Ons voer sulke rol maal bewegings uit, iets waaroor die Springbokke elke dag droom, jy slaan die wind so hard as wat jy kan en dan is dit die volgende man se beurt en so slaan ons gate in die wind. Die pyn in my lies briek my, Crous sê ek moet net hang en bo op die plato besluit ek, ek het nou genoeg gehad van die jaagtog, sê vir Crous en August hulle moet gaan, Carl praat iets van ons moet saamwerk en ek sê hulle moet gaan, ek ken die pad en daar bly ons toe maar almal saam op my pas.
Net na 22H00 in Brostelea, alles gevries, die waterbottels, my hande en tone, tot my balaklawa is vasgevries, maar teen -5 is enigiets moontlik. Willie is nog nie daar met die spaar fiets nie en ek en Crous is moeilik met mekaar, hy dink ons moet maar ons eie padjies gaan en ek voel ook so. Ons ia altwee ewe hardegat en eiewys, kon seker maar dieselfde mens gewees het met verskillende name en twee diamante maal mekaar nie rond nie, hulle breek mekaar.......
Ek weet nie wat more vir ons gaan inhou nie, Carl is nou sterker as die ou Rusland, more voel ons dalk ander en as ons saamry gaan ons nou-nou 200 km per dag doen.
Baie min slaap ingekry, net 2H30, spring net na 7H30 weg almal lekker moeg en glad nie baie spraaksaam nie, energievlakke te laag om te praat. Dis op dae soos vandag wat jy wonder.... Hoekom doen ek dit ? Waarom doen ek dit aan myself ? Jy het dit nou mos al gedoen, wat wil jy nog bewys ? Vrae van die aard maal in jou kop sonder antwoorde, en dan kom die antwoorde glashelder, dis nog altyd daar ek moet net my oë oopmaak. Dis die kameraadskap en samewerking tussen oud stryders, 'n ongeïnkte bond, dis die wonderlike mense langs die pad wat jou in hulle lewens in nooi en deel van jou ervaring word, mense soos Christo en Minky van Chesneyworld, André en Joyce van Slaapkranz. Ons is almal lekker moeg, daar word nie te veel gepraat nie, net die geknas van die wiele op die grondpad is hoorbaar, by Brankstone slaan on hinderlaag, ons lê baie laag en hinder niemand nie. Na 'n ander half uur ontwaak ons uit ons hinderlaag eet iets en val weer in die pad. Die tog tussen Rhodes en Slaapkranz is altyd vir my moordend, deel seker omdat Lehana's en die opmars na Rhodes goed met jou gal werk en deels omdat dit nie baie plat wêreld die is nie, dan is daar nog doe polisiehond turf ook. As dit hier reën word dit letterlik 'n kakspul, die swart turf wag om elke hoe en draai om die lewe uit jou te wurg en as dit vasvat los dit nie, dit vermenigvuldig net tot jy eenvoudig nie verder kan of wil nie, gelukkig reën dit nie vanjaar nie, nog nie......
Ons doen by Christo en Minky aan, Christo verlustig hom in verlede jaar se aanhutsing en opstoking aan, lang lekker oor die wilde jaagtog tussen my en Crous en hy stop nie daar nie, die boere word aangehuts om die Ingelse te oorwin. August staar met groot oë en wonder wat nou vir hom gaan wag, sy Freedom toer is besig om vinnig 'n wilde jaagtog aan te neem. Mark en sy bende is net voor ons en as dit van ons afhang eet ons vanaand aan dieselfde tafel.
Die berge is besaai met sagte sneeu van die vorge week, die hemelruim mik mik om nog sneeu te saai en plek plek begin die modder byt, en dis nog 'n lang moddertog na Slaapkranz, ons vorder goed en wonderbaarlik stry ek en Crous nie oor links of regs roetes nie, daar is blykbaar net een roete....
Die Spitskoppe begroet ons met 'n wonderlike sonsondergang wat die berge al die skakerings van oranje tooi terwyl die kapok saggies op ons neerdaal, onbeskryflik mooi, ek vang dit vas op kamera en weet dis hoekom ek terug gekom het. In die stille verwondering dink ek aan die Miles for Smiles kinders wat nou breed sou glimlag in aanskoue van diebetowerende sonsondergang, hulle tekort aan glimlaggies maak my aanhou ry, elke nuwe glimlaggie maak elke dag die moeite werd. Met die antwoorde wonder jy nie meer nie, nee dan dank jy die Liewe Vader nederig vir die geleentheid en vermoëns wat Hy aan jou gegee het om deel te kan neem.
Jy wonder ook nie meer hoekom jou prostaat so groot soos 'n volstruis eier voel nie, jy wonder ook nie meer hoekom jy so bitterlik mistroostig nat en koud moet wees nie. Dan waardeer jy net die feit dat jy daar kan wees tussen manne soos Christo, Carl en August wat so bietjie kleur en oemf in die challenge sit.
Mark en vernote het die oggend vroeg uit Rhodes weggespring, ons is 'n groot groep by Slaapkranz en ons deel die buitekamer met Mark en sy bende, more gaan 'n taai dag wees, die manne is lus vir ons en die Boere komando gaan moet uithaal en wys, ek weet sommer dit gaan nie speletjies wees nie, verseker nie !
Begin 5H00 ry alles werk lekker, net na 16H00 in Vuvu ek en Crous stry nie oor links en regs nie, daar is blykbaar net een pad
August het ook nou geleer dat graspolle net goed is om jou wakker te hou en jou alie op te foeter. Hy sê sy alie is nou al so seer, dit voel of hy op 'n byl sit en 'n kaktus ry, nogal baie na aan die waarheid. Ek besluit om Lehana's in die nag aan te val, Carl twyfel, dis gevaarlik redeneer hy, maar ek oortuig hom en 17H00 val ons in die pad. Dis 'n dolle jaagtog om by die begin van die pas te kom voor die laaste lig wyk, ons maak dit, oorienteer ons met die landskap, kry ons merkers en begin Lehana's klim teen 18H00 met 'n string Engele en 'n hoop vol gebede. Net toe ek dink ek en Crous is nou op een pad, begin ons weer met die links of regs kwessie, ter will van oorlewing en tyd besluit ons toe maar op Crous se pad, dis baie styler maar gaan ons wel op dieselfde kruin uitbring.
Die maanlig is so helder ons klim sonder ligte die hemelruim in, die sterre is naby en verlig die sprokiesmooi sneeu wat plek plek vir ons loer. 11H00 klaar geklim en carl besluit ons roep halt by Tena Head, hy sal vir almal betaal, ek weier botweg en die beslissing val in my guns. Ons val in die pad na Rhodes, dis vrek koud, die wind waai nie, maar die lang afdraandes vries my binneste, 1H00 kliphard gevries val ons by Rhodes Hotel in, kyk my pikante lyfie is gebou vir afdraandes, maar nie vir -14 afdraandes nie.
Ons sit voor 'n warm kaggel en eet ribbetjies en groente, seker maar gedink ons gaan aan skeerbyk lei, David verlekker hom in ons links en regs tog en met groot smiles gaan slaap ons, ons het vir Mark en sy vernote gevang, Andrew Barnes het die aftog geblaas en nou is die nuwe man is die visier Ales Harris. Alex het 'n paar dae voor ons weggespring, maar tydgewys is ons nou voor hom.
Spring 5H00 weg, alles gevries kan nie eers water kry vir bottels nie, gelukkig begin warmkraan te drip. Dis so koud August se baard vries, ek hoop dit was water en nie 'n neusafskeiding nie. Ons bevind ons nou weer in die onmiskenbare deel van die land waar paraffien nog die hoof energiebron is, die reuk is so dik jy kan dit sny. August het nie meer kaarte nog nie, hy het vir Carl en Marnitz, Carl is altyd regs en Marnitz donner altyd links. Gelukkig kom ons altyd op die regte plek uit sonder om te ernstig af te dwaal. Ek en Crous raak aan die redekawel oppad na Queen Mercy, ek wil links en hy wil regs, August volg maar net en ons gaan toe eers links en draai toe maar regs en kom toe by Queen Mercy uit.
Ons informante het ons ingelig dat Mark en sy vennote jaag om voor ons te bly, hoe sê Crous nou weer ?
Hy ryk hom, die trein het nou twee Commanders en een jong stoker. Met laaste lig val ons by Malekholonyane se deur in, 'n goeie dag agter die blad, ons jaag nou om Mark en sy vernote te vang en dan jaag ons ook om voor Andrew Barnes te bly, Crous het hom die aand voor ons weggespring het, belowe dis die laaste keer wat hy ons op die race gaan sien......
Dit sit nou 'n helse smile op my gesig en alles moontlik gemaak deur PG Glass Klerksdorp om nuwe glimlaggies op gesiggies te sit. www.milesforsmiles.co.za
Day 8 wrapDavid WaddiloveSunday, 20 June 2010The last batches of riders left Pietermaritzburg on Saturday morning. Race strategies have been revealed and some have already unravelled.Race front riders, Trevor Ball and Ugene Nel made a post midnight entry into Rhodes on Wedenesday night, having been forced to push down the Naudes Nek Pass by ice on the road. On Thursday morning they made a late start for for Chesney Wold where they stopped for a good lunch before crossing the snow-covered Kapokkraal portage at sunset. An early start on Friday saw the two takig on the Loutebron and Bonthoek portages in the hopes of pushing through the support station at Vaalbank farm and reaching the interim stop at Brosterlea. With deep slow and slush on both portages their going was slow. By mid afternoon they had only reached the farm Moordenaarspoort which is where General Jan Smuts and 3 others on a reconnaisance were ambushed shortly after the commando entered the Cape colony near the end of the Anglo boer war. They finally stopped for the day at Vaalbank.Saturday saw them following the route of Smuts and his kommando through the Stormberg. They may have started the day with plans of pushing through the next support station at the farm Romansfontein and heading off the Drakensberg escarpment and on to the town of Hofmeyr. However, the going was again slow. In the late afternoon the passed through the site of the Battle of Stormberg near Molteno and in the evening made Romansfontein where they stopped. On Sunday they drop off the Drakensberg escarpment at the Aasvoëlsberg into the Karoo where their going will surely be better.Following a day's riding behind Trevor and Ugene, Gawie du Plessis, Farrankothen and Scott James were the first riders to take on the portage up Lehana's Pass. On Friday they headed off for an easy day of riding through and through the valleys of the Bokspruit and Sterkspruit before dropping down the Bottlenekspruit to stop for lunch at Chesney Wold before taking on the Kapokkraal portage over to Slaapkranz. However, they were frustrated, firstly, by Gawie's seat post searing completely, secondly by Ray's shifter breaking and then by Scott breaking a pedal. Despite arriving at Slaapkranz later than anticipated Gawie was able to engineer a solution in farmer Andre Buy's workshop. Ray and Scott were assisted by riders who had just completed the Ride to Rhodes with them. On Saturday, Gawie, Ray and Scott made it over the Loutebron and Bonthoek portages and continued through to Vaalbank. On Sunday they will continue following the route of the Smuts kommando through the Stormberg and on to Romansfontein.Behind them are Dave Bell and Chris Morris, who is suffering with bad ITB. On Friday they took leave of their group of Ride to Rhodes companions at Vuvu, head up the Drakesnberg on Lehana's Pass and then pushed through the support station at Rhodes and on to Chesney Wold, where they enjoyed the warm hospitality of Minkie and Christo. On Saturday the set out for Slaapkranz, expecting to get over both the Loutebron and Bonthoek portages before carrying on to Moordenaarspoort. However, they too were slowed by the snow and only made it over the Loutebron portage before stopping for the night at the home of a farmer in the valley of the Smalblaar River.Current race leader Alex Harris, who had caught the group ahead of him at Malkhalonyane made and early start from Malekhalonyane and was joined by the hares of Jethro and Zane de Decker. They made good progress through to Black Fountain but the De Deckers were left on the descent to Tinana Mission as they firstly took a turn down a wrong ridge and then Zane's knee started to play up. Harris got through to Vuvu in the early afternoon. Forced to sit out a 45 minute daylight time penalty for a route departure he then opted to stay for the night rather than taking on Lehana's Pass or Naude's Nek with only two hours of light remaining. The De Deckers contiued through to Vuvu where they stopped.Quenton Oates and Blackie Swart seemed to have found an easy rhythm riding into Malekhlaonyane on Thursday but from there things went awry. On Friday, leaving Malekhalonyane a little later than Alex and the De Deckers, Quenton made it through to Vuvu without incident. However, a tiring Blackie rode on over Black Fountain and down to Tinana Mission. He then crossed the Tina River before turning into the river valley that runs up to the Vuvu support station with two hours of daylight remaining. With thick winter grass and indistinct tracks his progress was slow and he was still in the valley when the light went. He was forced to sleep rough for the night.On Saturday morning Alex left Vuvu early and made rapid progress through Rhodes to Chesney Wold. Arrving there in the middle of the afternoon he elected to stop rather than risk being caught on the Kapokkraal portage in the dark. Sunday should see him making a big push through Slaapkranz to Vaalbank and possibly on to Brosterlea. Having spent Friday night out in the valley Blackie went through to Vuvu where he stopped for the rest of the day. Sunday is likely to see him in Rhodes for the night.Quenton Oates, meanwhile left Vuvu on Saturday and rode on to Rhodes. However, with a major crack in his bike frame he is unable to continue and has sadly withdrawn. The De Deckers also rode from Vuvu to Rhodes finishing together with their Ride to Rhodes start batch. As they did not push on it seems that they are no longer in the race for podium places (not that the Freedom Challenge has a podium)Giant 29er single speed rider Glenn Harrison seems to finally be getting his charge together. Despite a number of early unsucessful attempts to get ahead of the normal touring schedule he finally did so on Friday morning when he rode through the Malekhalonyane support station and on over Black Fountain to stop for the night at Tinana Mission. On Saturday morning he rode through the Vuvu valley (probably passing close to where Blackie had dossed down the night before) and arrived at Vuvu shortly before midday. He then continued on and up Lehana's Pass before dropping down to Rhodes where he arrived in the evening. On Sunday he is likely to look to get off to an early start with a view to getting beyond Slaapkranz.Woman rider Audrey Gerber and fellow Australians Tim James and Bec Caskie rode on Friday from Banchory to Masakala and on Saturday where Audrey, feeling the enormity of the ride ahead opted to withdraw. On Saturday Tim and Bec, together with Paddy Veenstra, continued through to Malekhalonyane at the foot of the Ongeluksnek Pass and on Sunday, navigation permitting, will look to get to Vuvu.Every year of the Freedom Challenge is defined by a mechanical failures. 2010 is no different. The part of this year appears to be freewheel hubs with at least four of the riders having to replace theirs. Gerda Gruner, Estelle Labuschagne, Errol Derrick and Ray Sephton made it from Allendale to Ntsikeni on Friday. On Saturday, leaving Ntsikeni, Ray's hub gave out. Fortunately he was able to limp on through Banchory to Masakala where he replaced the part without losing any time. This foursome left Pietermaritzburg in the same batch as Allen Sharpe, Mark Mitchell and Travis Saunders, all three of whom have flattered to decieve. On Thursday the arrived early at Allendale, where they stopped; on Friday they arrived early at Ntsikeni, where they stoppe. Who knows, they might be saving themselves for something really BIG.Behind them come Komander Carl Crous, Marnitz 'sponsored by PG Glass and riding for Miles for Smiles' Nienaber and their young recruit August 'super dreads' Carstensl. They left Pietermaritzburg on Friday morning, were slowing getting into Allendale put opted to push on to Centocow for the night. Inventing new steps in the Donnybrook Manoeuvre they arrived at the Mission Station near midnight. Saturday saw them through Ntsikeni and on to Banchory. With that they obviously must have clear fallen behind record pace but are matching the progress of early lapsed time leader Alex Halarris.Leaving Pietermaritzburg with them were couples Ingrid and Anthony Avidnon and Jannie Gerber and Nicole. They made Allendale without incident. On Saturday the all too took wrong turns in the Donnybrook forests. The Avidnons made Ntsikeni by nightfall having deviated from the race route. Jannie and Nicole, meanwhile followed the race route over the Ngwangwane River but with light going, got lost in the plantations before the Gungununu River which they crossed at 9pm. Declining an offer of accommodation in the area they elected to push onwards and upwards under the light of the waxing moon. They finally arrived at the Ntsikeni support station at 3.30 am. They are likely to make an easy day of Sunday and head down to Banchory.Friday also saw the second hosting of the 85 km Duzi Trail run in conjunction with the Duzi Umgeni Conservation Trust. Participating in the race were 2010 Freedom Challenge extreme triathletes Andrew Barnes, Leon van der Nest and Keith Little. Andrew finished in first place in a very credible 9 hours 40 minutes. Keith and Leon finished some time later in 12hour 20 minutes. On Saturday morning they left Pietermaritzburg as part of the last batch to depart. Despite his big run of the day before Andrew set a blistering pace and was joined at the front by Justin “Big Gear” Bouwer. The two got through to Allendale by 2pm. Resisting Andrew's invitation to accompany him to Centocow he stopped. Andrew continued to Centocow, performed a perfect Donnybrook Manoeuvre and arrived just after sunset. Sunday should seem him through Ntiskeni and possible past Banchory in a bid to be the first rider to reach Malekhalonyane in two days and, in so doing match his own pace of 2009. Arriving at Allendale shortly before sunset were Keith and Leon.Relative race position on Saturday night (support stations reached/no of days riding) were as follows:Saturday night leaderboardPosition Rider Support station Days Percentage1 Andrew Barnes 1.5 1 150.00%2 Alex Harris 6.5 5 130.00%3 Carl Crous 2.5 2 125.00%3 August Carstens 2.5 2 125.00%3 Marnitz PG Glass riding Miles for Smiles Nienaber 2 125.00%6 Glen single speed Harrison riding a Giant 29er 5 120.00%7 Ugene Nel 9 8 112.50%7 Trevor Ball 9 8 112.50%9 Ray, Farrankothen 7 7 100.00%9 Scott James 7 7 100.00%9 Gawie du Plessis 7 7 100.00%9 Jethro de Decker 6 6 100.00%9 Zane de Decker 6 6 100.00% Quenton Oates 6 6 100.00% W/D Haydn August 4 4 100.00% W/D9 Gerda Gruner 3 3 100.00%9 Allen Sharp 3 3 100.00%9 Travis Saunders 3 3 100.00%9 Mark Mitchell 3 3 100.00%9 Estelle Labuschagne 3 3 100.00%9 Errol Derrick 3 3 100.00%9 Ingrid Avidnon 2 2 100.00%9 Anthony Avidnon 2 2 100.00%9 Nicole du Toit 2 2 100.00%9 Jannie Gerber 2 2 100.00%9 Justin Bouwer 1 1 100.00%10 Blackie Swart 5 6 83.33%11 Tim James 4 5 80.00%12 Bec Caskie 4 5 80.00%13 Paddy Veenstra 4 6 66.67% Audrey Gerber 3 4 75.00% W/D Francois Reynecke 1.5 2 75.00% W/D Marius Gerber 0.5 1 50.00% W/D
Trek 5H00 weg dis tanneklap koud, August wonder of hy sy tog met die ou manne moet voortsit, in die bibberende koue roep ons herhaaldelik na die jongman en hy gee in op die geroep en kom te voorskyn gewapen met sy mediese blou rubber handskoene teen die koue. Ek gee die handskoene so kyk en wonder by myself wanneer gaan die jongman se vingers afval, dis spierwit geryp en ek kan nie dink hoe gaan die dun rubberhandskoene die koue afweer nie, gelukkig word ons sommer gou warm met die eerste 600 m klim.
Ons 3 ry lekker saam net na 13H40 in Ntsikeni, dis weereens bewys dat 'n David kilometer langer of korter kan wees, dit hang net af hoe hy dit meet. Byvoorbeeld van Ntsikeni lodge na die hoofkamp meet ons met gebrekige toerusting 6 km, David kry dit as 4km maar ek glo dis korter sonder 'n rugsak en as jy die natuurskoon waardeer. Druk deur na Banchory waar ons vermoedelik voor dooie mans deur kom, gelukkig het ons vir die Commander en met sy generaal stem, bulder hy lewe die huis in, net voor ons verkluim maak hulle die deur oop en toe so ons uitvind ons slaap op 'n ander plek gelukkig nie te ver nie. Carl lei aan hipotermie, die man bewe tots sy koffie uit sy koppie uit, ek ken die tekens van hipotermie en toe Crous nie wil eet nie begin ek worrie. Ek jaag hom in die warm stort in en daarna onder 'n berg komberse in, na 'n hele ruk besluit hy om iets te eet en ek voel toe sommer ook beter. Die boer maak skottels vol water, stel die koue kraan op so drup-drup sodat ons water kan hê vir more.
More trotseer ons -10, ek het alweer 'n lastige hoesie en Carl bewe nog steeds soos 'n riet.
Spring weg en alles gaan voor die wind, ons ry goeie tye, dis nou ek, Crous en August. Ek doen so liggiese kramp oppad na Minerva, gelukkig het Marita se strek oefeninge my so los soos tastic rys gemaak en die kramp is gou vergete.
Hela Hela bly 'n bliksem, veral as jy van ons plat wêreld kom, gelukkig is Tim James daar om ons met 'n lekker koue Coke te groet. Carl stoei die opdraande uit, lelike krampe, August dokter hom met Kalsium pille en ons klok voor 16H00 by Allandale in.
'n Halfuur later is ons oppad na Centocow alles werk 100%, aangesien ek die vorige jaar 'n paar kringe in die bos gemaak het, gee ek die spoorsny leisels oor aan Crous, dis immers sy derde Freedom Challenge en hy sê hy weet waar om ons te vat......
Ons hervat toe weer my kringe in die bos draaie van die vorige jaar, gelukkig onthou ek waar ek die vorige jaar kringe gemaak het en ons vermy dit ten alle koste. Ons maak nuwe kringe in 'n nuwe bos, so nou en dan kruis ons een van my ou kringe en dan retireer ons, vra die locals waar is die Centocow en hulle beduie oor die berg en ons storm die berg, verdwaal soos Hansie en Grietjie nooit kon dink om te verdwaal nie. Bel vir Jaco Strydom om op die tracker te kyk waar die moer ons is, Jaco krap kop en probeer 'n roete beplan, die tyd loop en ek besluit ons gaan links om, ons vat my verdwaal pad van verlede jaar, dis lanker maar ek weet dit gaan ons op die regte plek uitbring.
August se kragte is aan die kwyn, hy is flou, dis laat nag en bitterkoud, die ryp knars onder die wiele en in die verte verskyn Centocow se liggies. Ons bereik Centocow na middernag, 'n hele paar ure gemors met nuwe kringe in die bos en ons grootste probleem is om die mense van Centocow wakker te kry, sodat hulle vir ons kan oopmaak.
Na 'n hele ruk se geskree en gefluit verskyn iemand in die laatnag skynsel en ons word gered uit die kloue van die bibber koue. Ons het so 80km se ekstra kringe in die bos afgelê in subzero temperature, August het nie gedink ons mission, wat skeef geloop het, is snaaks nie, 'n goeie jongman wat nog gaan leer dat alles op die Freedom nie noodwendig volgens jou plan verloop nie.....
Day 6 wrapDavid WaddiloveFriday, 18 June 2010The cold front has passed, the snow has fallen and the 2010 Freedom Challenge is starting to gather a familiar rhythm - we have witnessed the Donnybrook maneuver performed by a few participants and all aspirant front runners fall short of Masakala as a second night target. Running from the front of the field backwards here’s how things stand. Adventurer racers Trevor and Ugene’s initial charge was slowed by technical problems that were sorted out at Masakala. They then pushed through Malekhalonyane and Black Fountain and, relying on Ugene’s pinpoint navigation, they descended the single track to Tinana Mission in darkness arriving after midnight. Wednesday saw them in Vuvu shortly after midday. With Lehana’s Pass thick in snow and clouds closing in on the container at the summit they opted for the safer but longer route up Naude’s Nek from where participants normally take 2 hours to descend in a rush of wind to Rhodes. With ice on the road they were forced to walk it taking close to six hours and arriving well after midnight. On Thursday morning they were late leaving. With isolated snowfalls in the Bottlenek Spruit and Rytjiesvlakte they had a surreal day of snow riding before heading over the Kapokkraal portage just after sunset. Six day, seven support stations they are 1.5 below par. They are probably hoping to push through the Vaalbank support station towards Brosterlea but might find their going slowed by the thick snow and sticky black mud on the Loutebron and Bonthoek portages.Coming through a day later Ray Farrankothen, Scott James and Gawie have kept to the programme, riding this Mehloding section of the trail support station to support station. On Thursday they left Vuvu and were the first group to take on Lehana’s Pass, finding their own way through the knee deep snow that obscured all the cattle paths. Despite one very badly barked shin, they made it through to Rhodes in good time and in a day that Scott described as his best day of mountain biking…ever. Six day six support station – they are on par. It is anticipated that they will continue riding support station to support station at least until they reach the Karoo.Behind them Chris Morris and Dave Bell are proceeding very efficiently along the trail, helped no doubt by their pacers/navigators, the Maluti-Mcleods who will leave them in Rhodes. On Thursday they left Malekhalonyane for Vuvu and on Friday they will arrive in Rhodes where they are likely to stay and take proper leave of the guides, family and friends who did the Ride to Rhodes as part of their start group. Included in that group is Brendan Hayden who battled gamely through the first four days before opting to put his pack in the Ride to Rhodes support vehicle and downgrade to that race.The third start batch was set alight by the De Decker brothers who flew off the front only to have their 14 day race strategy start to unravel when they got lost coming out of Ntsikeni Nature Reserve at night. Mechanical problems then meant that they could not progress beyond Masakala the following day. However, having had the opportunity to recharge, early on Thursday morning they flew out of Masakala only to spent much the time before dawn wandering around the Knira River flood plain. They spent the evening in Malekhalonyane with the rest of their start group which includes Quenton Oates and Blackie Swart who are on a very well thought through 24 day race strategy – ride during the day and enjoy it.At Malekhalonyane on Thursday evening this group of riders were joined by Adventurer Alex Harris who was forced to stop the previous night at Banchory after losing his maps crossing the Ngwangwane River in the approach to Ntsikeni. Alex then made good speed through to Masakala, where he refueled before pushing on to Malekhalonyane. Having ridden 4 support stations in 3 days Alex (ie 2.5 below par) is effectively the race leader.The fourth start batch, which included Glenn Harrison riding a Giant 29’r single speed and Australian couples Bec and Tim James and Audrey and Marius Gerber made slow going of the first day. Giant single speed 29’r Glen arrived at the Allendale support station with a few hours of sunlight remaining and decided not to leave immediately for Centocow. Instead he left in the very early hours of the morning but his progress was slow. Not learning from his lesson of 3 years ago where he ended up sleeping out in the Donnybrook forests he again made navigation errors. His progress was generally slow and, despite his early start, he was not able to push past Ntsikeni. On Thursday he rode from Ntsikeni through to Masakala. He is now probably looking to push past the next support station at Malekhalonyane if he is to try to set a new single speed record. Meanwhile Marius Gerber, battling with a persistent health problem compounded by the cold of the front, withdrew at Minerva Reserve leaving his wife Audrey to travel on alone and as one of the four women participating in this year’s race. Send Audrey your messages of support at 072 1182154. Currently riding with Bec and Aussie Tim James, the threesome left Allendale on Wednesday but were slow in getting through the Donnybrook forests and past the Centocow Mission. After crossing the Ngwangwane River at dusk they got lost in the plantations of Boshelweni and eventually slept the night with at the home of a local headman. Although it set them back a bit time wise it did afford them the privilege of riding through the grasslands of the Ntsikeni Nature Reserve in daylight. They then proceeded to Banchory farm arriving just after dark. On their way there they were joined by Paddy Veenstra who had started well before them but had stopped at Ntsikeni for two days whilst sorting out a broken freewheel hub. The four will have a relatively easy day of riding through to Masakala village.The only riders leaving Pietermaritzburg on Day 5 (Wednesday) were a large group doing the Ride to Rhodes. Thursday, Leaving on Thursday Allen Sharpe made very fast progress through the Umkomaas River, up the Hella Hella and on to Allendale arriving in the mid afternoon. To the surprise of many he then stopped for the night. He was later joined by Mark Mitchell and Travis Saunders who were contemplating whether to head into the forests that evening or early next morning – word amongst riders is that there are monsters there. Later the same evening the two other women participants, Estelle Labuschagne and Gerda Gruner arrived at Allendale together with Eastern Cape farmer Ray Sephton and 2009 finisher, Errol Derrick.Friday and Saturday see the last two groups leave, both of which contain their fair share of racing snakes, and then we sit back and watch the race unfold
Wednesday, 16 June 2010David WaddiloveNtiskeni Nature ReserveWith temperatures dropping below -10 overnight the Race Across South Africa is proving to be not only a battle on the bike but also a test of the mental endurance of these athletes.The racers must make decisions as to where to stop to sleep in miserable conditions. Such was the case with the De Decker brothers. They battled through sleet, snow and howling winds to arrive in the Ntsikeni Nature Reserve in the afternoon of Tuesday. The brothers pushed on with a goal to make it to the next support station at Masakala 97 kms away before midnight. Unfortunately the weather would have other plans for them. Fighting their way through the bitterly cold night the two got lost on the slopes of the Swartberg. They were forced to stop well short of their target at Banchory Farm, just outside of Franklin, well after midnight.Meanwhile adventurer Alex Harris is hot on the trail of the boys. He left Pietermarzburg early on Tuesday morning. Riding through the same cold front that caught the brothers he was able to push past Allendale into Centocow. On Wednesday morning Harris took advantage of the turn in the weather to push past Ntsikeni and arrived at Banchory shortly after sunset. With the De Decker Boys spending the night at Masakala Harris has now moved into the position of race leader, a position that he will look to consolidate in the morning. After pushing and hobbling along on his bike for the past few days RASA front runner Trevor Ball was able to fix his freewheel hub in Masakala on Monday night. On Tuesday morning they rode through the Malekhalonyane support station at the foot of the Ongeluksnek Pass and continued on through Black Fountain before descending in darkness down the cattle tracks to Tinana Mission where they arrived at midnight. Trevor and his riding partner Ugene Nel have bean the race's weather barometers, giving the following field the heads up on the weather approaching from the west and the riding conditions that lie ahead. They pushed through the Vuvu support station in the early afternoon but were then confronted with deep snow on the Drakensberg and weather closing in. As a consequence they were forced to abandon the direct 1000 metre ascent up the Lehana's Pass mule track and proceed by the more circuitous route up Naude's Nek Pass. They are expected in the village of after midnight.For some this is more then just a race. It is an opportunity to enjoy the landscape and feel of South Africa. Patrick Veenstra was struck with the same misfortune as Trevor and, with a broken freewheel hub, was forced to push his bike the last 7 km into the Ntsikeni Nature Reserve. This Cape Town based father of one was raised in the Pietermaritzburg area. "I grew up here, you don`t know how high these mountain are until you try to cycle up them!" Veenstra who works on the oil rigs off shore of Brazil, is enjoying a more relaxed pace on his journey across South Africa.With 18 RASA still to leave Pietermatzburg City Hall over the next three days the stage is being set for an exciting 2010 Freedom Challenge Race across South Africa.
Day 4 wrapTuesday, 15 June 2010David WaddiloveWith the twitter temporarily down here's the wrap at midnight on day 4-Batch 1 saw Trevor and Ugene push through Allendale and launch into the Donnybrook maneuver - taking 8 hours to find their way through the forests on a section that normally takes about 4. They arrived at Centocow after midnight. The next day saw their charge through SS2 at Ntsikeni and on to Masakala (SS 3) curtailed when Trevor's freewheel started to play up - they limped into Banchory near midnight and the following day limped on to Masakala where the rest of their start batch joined them. Day 4 saw them make another move - however they were frustrated by snow and cold. Despite this they pushed through support station 4 at Malekhalonyane and went on through Black Fountain. Approaching midnight they have just reached Tinana Mission - effectively giving them a half day lead after four hellish days of riding.Gawie continues to fly through the day but sleeps well at night. Ray and Scott also seem to be sticking with the programme and saving any moves for later.Batch 2 has not seen any major moves although Paddy seemed content to drift backwards taking three days to Ntsikeni where he has now been swallowed up by Batch 3 and will probably ride on with Quenton and Blackie. Brendan Hayden made an earnest effort to fall back when he spent the early part of Tuesday evening scratching around on the Umzimvubu single track but managed to get into Masakala before midnight. An "easy" day through to Malekhalonyane should help him regroup and pick up with Dave Bell and Chris Morris. Batch 3 saw the De Decker brothers flying off the front -in and out of Allendale by 2.30pm, through Donnybrook by 4.30 and 8 kms away from Centocow by 6.30 but then a sense of de je veux crept in as they too struggled to find the route throuh . The last 30 minutes of riding took them well over an hour. Nonetheless a good day. However, they were slow starting the next morning, and then were slowed further by the snow and freezing temperatures on Ntsikeni. Although any plan of Masakala by the end of the day soon disappeared they made good progress and left the reserve before nightfall - and then the fun started. They spent 5 hours negotiating their way in darkness through 1 kilometre of Politique as they literally went around in circles. After midnight and they have still not made Banchory. Now their dilemna is whether to push through SS3 at Masakala and head for Malekhalonyane. If so they will no doubt be riding the Mpharane ridgeline at night - more fun for those following them on the trackers.Batch 4 saw another flying start - this time from adventurer Alex Harris. Although slower than the De Deckers in getting to Allendale he had a clean run through the Donnybrook forests and arrived at Centocow in the early evening. Perhaps he is eyeing Masakala for tomorrow night. Despite a slow start Australians Tim and Bec and Audrey all made it through to Allendale arriving shortly after dark, whilst Giant single speed Glenn got in earlier. Despite stopping for the night he confessed to be contemplating a midnight departure - another Donnybrook maneuver in the offing? It wont be the first time. So let's see what tomorrow brings
Saterdag 13 Junie my GT is reg en ordentlik gediens deur die beste mechanic myself sal vanmiddag final check doen. Alles in my sak uitgepak, net die nodigste in, hoop dis alles net tyd sal leer.Ek is gesond en fiks en gaan nog fikser word in die dae wat voorlê. Ek is lus vir die race, butteflies kom kuier elke nou en dan, op hul eie ook goed. Wonder hoe gaan dit met my ander mal boet Werner besig om Denali in Alaska uit te klim, lyk hemels ek glo hy geniet die freedom www.june72009denali.blogspot.com .Dankie aan almal vir hul bydra vir die kinders sal julle nie teleurstel nie www.beitel.co.za Ek gaan vir Melanie en die kinders baie mis, my pêlle natuurlik ook, julle sms boodskappe sal net die beste uit my haal. Dankie vir julle ondersteuning nog net 2 dae oor kan nie wag nie