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    Freedom Forum

    Welcome to the Freedom Forum! Please peruse the topics and feel free to ask and answer questions where possible.

    General Discussion

    General / other topics not covered in other categories
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    Posts7

    Gear Choice for RASA

    Advice and discussions about gear choices for Freedom Challenge events
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    Posts11

    Rules

    Discussions about the event rules and implementation thereof including precedents set in years gone by
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    Injury prevention and medical

    Discussions and advice about common medical issues on the trail
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    Freedom Trail Route

    Discussions about the route
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    New Posts
    • janine
      Aug 04
      Bike “computer”
      Gear Choice for RASA
      Obviously no GPS tracking - but I see that a couple of watch examples are given as suitable. Are watches more suitable than handlebar mounted due to the map board? Anything I should look out for?
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    • janine
      Aug 04
      Rest days
      General Discussion
      It seems that taking rest days isn’t common, even amongst the 21+ day tourers. I know it’s a “race” but isn’t there more chance of finishing by taking at least 1 rest day per week? or am I missing something?
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    • Peter Roux
      Aug 04
      RASA 2022 Reflections
      Gear Choice for RASA
      Having completed the 2022 winter RASA and previously a couple of the shorter events my reflection are the following: Clothing: Make sure that you have proper winter gear. The cold that experiences during the early mornings and bad weather events is often underestimated. There were times that i was riding with every piece oof clothing I had. Cold weather of this nature leads easily to getting sick (which i did) and results in probably the greatest number of withdrawals. Make sure you have enough non-cycling warm clothing for the support stations and to sleep in. It also helps to have some form of warm slippers or lite shoes, thick heavy socks etc. Footwear: I used the Shimano XM9 which provided great support on portages but more importantly kept my relatively dry during muddy crossings and some water crossing. Cycling partners in shoes constantly had water getting into their shoes. I carried two sets of riding gear with extra socks. Gloves: Buy the best winter waterproof gloves you can find. Having frozen hands makes using your fingers for brakes, gears, eating, clipping bags open etc difficult. Navigation: Learn how to read a topographic map and what the legend items are. Knowing exactly where you are based on physical objects around you is vital. Learn how to use a compass and to orientate a map. There are numerous occasions when one is not on a road just walking through open terrain. It helps to know the bearing. Food: Eat real food. Make sandwiches at the support stations and take fruit along. Most support stations have adequate supply. Gels and high energy bars become unpalatable very quickly. Water: I used two 750ml water bottles and this was adequate. I only drank water and used juice and Oros from the support stations to supplement. Most SS had coke to purchase. Budget: R100 / day seemed to work for me. Included washing and cokes. Will add as more comes to mind.
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    Contact

    Chris Fisher 

    chris@freedomchallenge.org.za

    Tel: +27 78 702 9178

    www.freedomchallenge.org.za

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