The Toughest MTB Races on Earth - The Freedom Challenge, South Africa
There are so many MTB races that claim "longest, toughest, hardest, most epic, highest, etcetera". I'd like to introduce a few MTB races to you that are really tough. We are talking non-stop races here, so traditional "stage-races" are not included. For an overview of MTB stage races, have a look here: Top 10 MTB stage races in the World. I will start close to home, the Freedom Challenge in South Africa, which has started today.
The Freedom challenge in South Africa
The organizers of the Freedom challenge have a range of events http://www.freedomchallenge.org.za, but the 'biggie' is the RASA - Race Across South Africa, some details:
- organised in June/July (in the middle of South Africa's winter!)
- 2,300 km, from Pietermaritzburg to Cape Town
- climbing: 37,000 m
- non-stop
- self navigation with maps, GPS not allowed!
- maximum 26 days, previous winning time: 10 days, 6 hours
- temperatures: -15 C to +32 C
- Finishers will get a blanket!
The RASA starts in Pietermaritzburg KZN and ends in Wellington near Cape Town. Riders are allowed a maximum of 26 days to complete the ride. It is a non-stop event, so riders are not required to stop every day/night as in other stage races. This is a solo event and all riders are required to be self-sufficient and carry all their own personal belongings with them. Riders can choose to be batched with a race buddy, but it is important for each individual rider to be equipped and capable of completing the event on their own. Further support along the way is provided by 24 support stations which also serve as compulsory check points. These support stations occur every 80-100km along the route and provide food and accommodation to all riders during the race. Riders are required to sign in and out of each designated support station. It is however within an individual participant's discretion to decide whether they wish to utilise the accommodation provided at each support station. No friends, family or other supporters may meet you along the route and offer assistance during the ride.
Prizes: participants that complete the challenge get a blanket!
You have made it in Moutain biking if you are a 'blanket wearer'!
The race has started today and you can follow the progress of the participants here:
http://www.freedomchallenge.org.za/index.php/current-event/rasa-rtr-2018
Other MTB toughies I'll write about soon:
- Trans Am, self supported and 6,900km across the US (going on at the moment)
- Tour Divide, also in the US and also going on right now, self supported, 4,400 km
- The self supported 1,771 km Iditarod Invitational in Alaska through snow and ice
photos: freedomchallenge.co.za
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Wow, bloody hardcore. Makes the Argus seem very very tame, and the Cape Epic mildly challenging. Are you a blanket wearer??
Hardcore indeed... It's cold at the moment as well, as you might know, so these guys are freezing..... No, not a blanket wearer, perhaps next year. This year I've entered the Munga, am training for that, in November. Finishing that would be really fantastic!
Training while doing a lot of travelling must be difficult. Well, all the best for Munga.
It is indeed! This time I brought a skipping rope, in case there is nothing else... thanks!