Eight Days a Week | Chasing the Rhodes cutoff |15 June 2025

“Eight Days a Week”, the famous Beatles song (number one in February 1965, sixty years ago) must surely be the inspiration for the RASA threesome of Steve Johnston, John Bowen and Anthony Gould. All three riders are chasing their first blanket. All three need to make the first eight day cutoff at Rhodes by 6am on Tuesday morning.

All three have successful RTRs under their belts from past events. John Bowen is still chasing his first blanket, this being his fifth attempt, his first in 2015 when he came so close, withdrawing at Trouthaven. A day too late to make the cut-off. Perseverance at its finest. Never. Give. Up.

The Race to Rhodes (RTR) has a seven day cut-off. Finish in seven days and you get your whip. The other three shorter races on the Freedom Trail (RTC, RTW and RTP) all have six day limits. RTR is significantly shorter but riders are granted an extra day. There is good reason for this. RTR is really hard.

On RASA riders have eight days to get to Rhodes, the first cutoff point on RASA. More than that and Chris Fisher will gently ask you to leave the route, as has happened to many riders over the years. John Bowen was one of those riders. In 2023 he got lost after nightfall, right at the top of Lehanas. We watched his wanderings (maddening circles) from Rhodes Hotel, on the tracker. John spent a bitterly cold night up at 2600m, and withdrew the next morning, having missed the eight day cut.

There is only one other cutoff point on RASA, that being 13 days at Hofmeyer. There used to be a 19 day cutoff at Willowmore but that was very sensibly removed. If one has made it that far, ride for 26 days and see how close you can get.

Steve “vlogger” Johnston, at the time of writing, 10pm on Sunday evening, is sleeping soundly at Vuvu. He is with a group of other riders, including Roger Nicholson, Charl van der Spuy and Graeme Green. Steve should be good for Rhodes tomorrow, he has done it before. Almost 100% that he will make the cutoff.

Our focus is on John and Anthony. They are holed up at Setabataba Store, hoisted by the legendary Gugu Siyatula (082 6602308 or 072 8077560). The tricky Vuvu valley lies between them and Vuvu support station.

Gugu has saved many of us over the years. John Bowen and I slept there in 2015, her first RASA guests I think. Mr and Mrs Scoular, Janine Oosthuizen and I had a glorious night there in 2023. I am sure there have been others. A warm oasis just before the delights of Vuvu valley. A youngster is sent to the local store to get coke. Gugu produces a platter of bread and garnishes. Buckets of hot water arrive, one after another. Mattresses are laid out in a row, packed tight together. Mountains of blankets. It’s warm and safe. Sweet dreams. Unless the wind is blowing and it is cold, which it invariably is.

For those chasing the eight day cutoff it is clear as to what lies ahead. 24 hours to get to Rhodes (assuming a six am start, which is sensible as it is easy to get lost in the dark when entering Vuvu valley). Into the valley and hopefully a clear run to Vuvu support station. Ideally back on the route out of Vuvu support station by latest 10am. The first decision comes 8km down the road. Turn right to go up Lehanas? Or take the longer alternative route, via Mcombabala. Longer but very little chance of getting lost. The longer route will take at least fifteen hours from Mrs Gugu, on a good day. I hope the roads aren’t muddy and sticky.

John and Anthony have 24 hours to get to Rhodes from the time they leave at 6am tomorrow morning. We wish them the best of luck. Looks like they have a team effort going, bodes well for blanket chances.