DATE:

June 2008 (entries for 2008 is closed - 2009 entries will open after this years race)

WELCOME

An introduction to South Africa's Freedom Trail.

A taste of the Freedom Challenge Race across South Africa.
6 days and 500 kms of mountain biking through some of the most spectacular parts of rural South Africa on single track and cattle tracks

ONLY 40 PLACES

RACE START

Participants doing the 2008 Ride to Rhodes will start in Pietermaritzburg together with participants in the 2008 Freedom Challenge Race across South Africa.  

Riders will start in batches of 25, each batch consisting of 10 riders doing the Ride to Rhodes and 15 riders doing the Race across South Africa.

Batches will start a day apart with the first batch leaving Pietermaritzburg on Monday 16 June 2008 and the last batch leaving on Thursday 19 June  2008.
    
RACE ROUTE

Starting in Pietermaritzburg, the Ride to Rhodes follows the route  taken by Trappist monks as they headed into the area previously known as Noman's Land and East Griqualand and then across the Maloti Drakensberg Mountains to the village of Rhodes.

The Ride to Rhodes race route covers the Sizonke and Maloti sections of the FREEDOM TRAIL .

The route is almost exclusively dirt road and dirt track and contains extensive sections of single track and cattle track.  It takes in interesting countryside  that is rich in history and culture..

View the RACE ROUTE.

DAILY STAGES

Overnight accommodation is provided at 6 fully-serviced stops.  A sweep vehicle will move your equipment and personal belongings between the overnight stops.

Day 1: Pietermaritzburg to Allendale (106 kms)

Day 2: Allendale to Ntsikeni Nature Reserve (95 kms)

Day 3: Ntsikeni Nature Reserve to Matatiele (95 kms)

Day 4: Masakala Village to Mariazell Mission (57 kms).

Day 5: Maria Zell Mission  to Vuvu village (70 kms).

Day 6: Vuvu Village to Rhodes (68 kms).

View the ROUTE PROFILES OF EACH STAGE

COST

Entrance fee for 2008 was R5 500.

Your entrance fee covers the following:

• pre-race dinnner in Pietermaritzburg
• all meals during the race,
• end of race dinner in Rhodes,
• accommodation for 6 nights including Rhodes,
• official race top,
• finishers prize,
• race bag with sponsored goods and equipment,

.