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2011 Freedom Challenge entries |
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To participate in the 2011 Freedom Challenge Race Across South Africa, Ride to Rhodes or Extreme Triathlon Challenge to take place in June 2011 enter here. See who's already confirmed their entries for 2011 (ie deposits paid) for the Race Across South Africa
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Giant takes up the Freedom Challenge |
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Monday, 03 August 2009 |
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Matatiele, Eastern Cape, Monday 3 August 2009.
“This
was a wonderful opportunity for me” said GIANT rider Siceko Maraneni
who two weeks ago completed the 2009 Freedom Challenge non-stop
mountain bike race across South Africa, “It has given me a chance to
see other parts of the country and to meet different people. It was
tough but I was ready”.
Living at the village of Madlangala high in the Maluti Drakensberg, Siceko is one of the community guides responsible for the development and management of the Maluti section of the Freedom Trail, a fully-serviced mountain bike trail that currently runs 2500 kms from Pietermaritzburg to Cape Town. The annual Freedom Challenge follows the route of the Freedom Trail and serves to publicize it. Siceko’s participation in the 2009 Freedom Challenge non-stop race across South Africa was made possible by a sponsorship from international bike manufacturer GIANT. However, GIANT’s support of the Freedom Challenge has not ended with their sponsorship of Siceko. They have also contributed additional mountain bikes that will be utilized by the other community mountain bike guides who are responsible for maintaining the Freedom Trail as it runs through the Maluti and Stormberg sections of the country. Thanking GIANT for their support Freedom Challenge director, David Waddilove went on to add “Building the Freedom Trail is about building relationships. The goal that we have set ourselves of establishing a publicly accessible mountain bike trail running from Kilimanjaro to Cape Town will not be achieved without the co-operation of local communities and the support of a number of individuals and organizations like GIANT. Ultimately, however, the future of the trail lies in the hands of people like Siceko, who are doing the work on the ground. Not only has Siceko learnt a lot about the trail and himself through completing the race, but his achievement has also fuelled the enthusiasm of the other guides who are now wanting to ride in 2010. It is through the support of organizations like GIANT that we are able to harness this enthusiasm”. For more information about sponsoring a community mountain bike guide, participating in the 2010 Freedom Challenge non-stop race across South Africa or simply just touring on the Freedom Trail in your own time visit www.freedomchallenge.org.za. |
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