The Freedom Challenge Race across South Africa, An incredible way to see the country? The toughest race in South Africa? The journey of a lifetime?
Philip Erasmus. Took the challenge on a Specialized Stumpjumper 29er with CABS car hire as one of his sponsors for 22 days, 2,170.21 kms, total riding time of 193:13:39 and total ascent of 42,836 meters. Click here: to read his blog on the adventure.
Whichever way you see it, you need to enter to be a part of the experience. The route starts in Pietermaritzburg in KwaZulu-Natal, and ends in Wellington in Western Cape… From Pietermaritzburg, the Freedom Trail is dominated by the climbs into and out of the valleys of the large rivers that run from the Maloti Drakensberg mountains down to the sea.
The route then travels through:
SISONKE
Pietermaritzburg – Byrne – Hella Hella – Centacow – Ntsikeni – Swartberg – Little Umzimvubu
MALUTI
Little Umzimvubu – Matatiele – Ongeluksnek – Tinana – Vuvu – Naude’s Nek – Rhodes
STORMBERG
Rhodes – Bottlenek – Vaalhoek – Dordrecht – Pronskraal – Brosterlea – Hofmeyr
KAROO
Hofmeyr – Elandsberg – Fish River – Swaershoek – Pearston – Karoopoort – Darlington Dam – Kleinpoort – Groot Rivier
BAVIAANSKLOOF
Groot Rivier – Cambria – Studtis – Willowmore
SWARTBERG
Willowmore – Prince Albert – Vleiland – Anysberg
BREEDE RIVER
Anysberg – Montagu – MacGregor – Hammanshof – Rawsonville – Paarl
To emerge on the Elandspad jeep track in the Du Toits kloof mountains. The track then emerges at the foot of the Du Toits Kloof Pass. It’s then up the Pass and down single track to Paarl.
If you can dream it you can do it, that’s what being a human being is about. Living life to the fullest. Read Philip Erasmus blog – One Giant Challenge: Preparation for the Freedom Challenge Race Across South Africa and what goes along with it.
