Mike Woolnough 2d 11h58 Daniel Otto 2d 14h40 Anthony Avidon 2d 16h12 Christopher Mortimer 2d 22h23 Mark Basel 2d 22h23 Grant Cowen 3d 14h09 Shaun Tischendor 3d 14h09 Mark Cowley 3d 14h10 Ingrid Avidon 3d 15h08 Omphile Motaung 3d 15h08 Arn de Haas 3d 15h15 David Holyoak 4d 06h01 Deon Vrey 4d 06h01 Axel Poser 4d 08h57 Guy Dudley 4d 13h03 Blaine Peckham 4d 15h45 Craig Cockburn 5d 08h40 Emma Lombaard 5d 08h40 Andy Wesson 7d 20h57 (run) Dean Barclay 7d 20h57 (run

I have had a few days to reflect on our Race to Cradock adventure. We had ridden the Freedom Circuit, 400km, in April last year. I absolutely loved the ride and as soon as we could, with the encouragement of Mike Roy, signed us up for the next level. Race day arrived; my bike was finally in one piece and seemed to be behaving. I was a bit concerned with my level of fitness compared to the rest of my team, but we were off, come what may. It was hard, very, very hard. The m

Mike Woolnough 2d 12h47 Ingrid Avidon 3d 07h11 Guy Cluver 3d 15h12 Andrew Pearson 4d 09h11 Chris Harburn 4d 09h11 Clyde Petzer 4d 09h11 Craig Copeland 4d 09h11 Jeremy Nel 4d 09h11 John Foord 4d 09h11 Jonathan Williams 4d 09h11 Nigel Thorpe 4d 09h11 Russell Hanger 4d 09h11 Trevor Maarschalk 4d 09h11 Arn de Haas 4d 09h35 Josh Hayman 4d 12h24 Sally Hayman 4d 12h24 Paul Moxley 4d 12h45 Sebastian Martegtoutte 4d 13h15 Warrick Boyd 4d 13h15 Aidan

Yesterday I finished my race to Willowmore and to borrow a golfing term I am the Leader in the Clubhouse. RTW like golf has competitors starting at different times which means the final outcome is only known once all players are off the course. Those competing for line honours generally start on the last day. I was a last minute entry and as I was still saddled with a single speed I opted to start a day earlier as I knew it was going to be tough riding against the likes of An

Mike Woolnough (true to character) went all out all guns blazing, and tried to hit the 13:00 gate, but failed….why? who knows, he’s certainly not fresh (just won R2C, is riding a single speed, getting old, who knows?) Anthony flew out and hit Toekomst by 17:00, had some tyre issues (not the 1st, 2nd or 3rd time…please buy a new bike Anthony), so was slow to get out…but pushed on, but must have realized he couldn’t get the 13:00 escort and cruised out to Bucklands, and had a r

With the riders all chasing down those “Crazy Runners” that departed on Monday afternoon, the 2 racing batches of Race to Willowmore start today and tomorrow. Lets set the scene…….Departing today were Mike “I’m Mad” Woolnough, (just off a bruising encounter with R2C on a single speed to boot), Mark Basel and Mark Cowley. I suspect the 2 Marks are aiming for Bucklands tonight and a ambitious sub 3 day finish. “Mad Mike”..who knows what goes on in his head…will probably try to

Race to Cradock winds down as the Race to Willowmore gets underway. A bus load of riders arrived today headed up by Ron Smythe who got into just before sunrise but 20 odd minutes outside of achieving his first official windmill finish. Gill and John Graaf, Charles and Lesley Hughes, Guy Miles rolled in during the afternoon with Josh and Sally Hayman closing out the arrivals for the day. Sally arrived covered in mud. A rainstorm near Schurfteberg had set the scene for a good f

Before we know it the Freedom Challenge 2022 season is upon us. And what a year it promises to be. Multiple events, an encouragingly larger number of entries and the country saturated with rain. It doesn’t take much to fuel the hope tank for the average South African. One World Cup rugby win every twelve years and we are very happy campers. Many years of draught have been broken and it is truly wonderful to see the land lush again. Lush and very, very wet, which has not gone

Buy brand new bike in December 2020. April 2021, shifter packed up 25km from the end of the Freedom Circuit. Became a single speed and walk up every hill to the finish in the pouring rain and freezing cold. Replaced shifter. New shifter packs up a month later with exactly the same issue. Shimano parts unavailable countrywide. Finally source new lower spec shifter. Ride bike. Crank starts coming loose every ride. Grab helmet, gloves, glasses, phone and no 8 Allen key every tim

In a few days I’ll be taking on the Race to Cradock. I’ve done all of the RTC events since inception. I’ve wiggled down the trail and I’ve raced it hard. I’ve had successes and laughable failures but have always finished. Last year I had the joy of joining a group of first timers down that section. It’s a wonderful part of the Freedom Trail. If you’re keen to dip your cycling shoes in the waters of the Freedom Challenge then Race to Cradock is to my mind the ideal opener. The