The Freedom Challenge
Charge Across the Camdeboo
Press Release / 26.06.2011
Everest conquerer Alex Harris has managed to consolidate his early lead. Consistently riding for 16 to 18 hours a day and, despite the extremely muddy conditions, covering distances of up to 200 kilometres over the last four days, Harris rode through the Stormberg, dropped down off the Southern Drakensberg escarpment to cross the Fish River basin, headed over the Swaershoek behind the Mountain Zebra National Park and across the Camdeboo Plains. At midnight on Thursday he was riding into the Baviaanskloof Wilderness Area and, in darkness, seemed set to take on the 12 crossings of the swollen Groot Rivier en route to the settlement at Cambria. His current pace puts him almost two days of the 2009 record pace at this point of the race.
Harris, who started 6 days after the first riders to leave Pietermartizburg has worked his way through the field and is likely to arrive at Cambria within hours of the departure from the same point of race front runners, Ugene Nel and novice, Garth Flanders. Nel and Flanders were temporarily slowed in their progress on Wednesday when passing through the Perdepoort, Nel took on the temporary role of vet, stopping to assist a cow labouring with a breach birth. Acting on the advice of a local farmer who explained to him that he had inserted his arm into the wrong orifice he abandoned his efforts and the two continued onwards in what may prove to be an impossible quest to be the first riders to arrive at the finish at Diemersfontein.
Although he left Pietermaritzburg a day after Harris, single speed rider, Glenn Harrison has been doggedly looking to match the progress down the trail of Harris. By Thursday evening he had reached the half way point of the race in the Swaershoek mountains above Cradock 8 hours behind. He currently lies in second position.
Also trying to match the pace of Harris are Duzi Duke, Martin Dreyer and riding companion, Andrew Barnes. Their progress was slowed when Barnes’ bike frame broke riding up the Sterkspruit valley. He managed to effect a temporary repair with the assistance of a farmer. He later used another bike whilst his was being repaired with the result that he was required to sit out a 6 hour daylight penalty. Dreyer elected to spend the time with him and since then the two have been endeavouring to catch up with Harrison who left Pietermaritzburg with them. By Thursday night and heading into the Swaershoek mountains behind Cradock they were 4 hours behind him.
Following a day behind Barnes and Dreyer is current record holder, Tim James who has been battling with ill health.
Elsewhere in the field the demanding conditions and harsh weather has started taking its toll with 20% of the field having withdrawn. Others, such as female competitor Avril Metelerkamp, who has a cracked rib and sprained ankle, are soldiering onwards.
With the next wave of cold weather moving across the country, those aspiring to podium positions will now need to see how far they can ride on as little sleep as possible. Those wanting to arrive at Diemersfontein before the 26 day cut off will need to battle on.
The progress of participants in the 2011 Freedom Challenge along the race trail can be tracked live on the event website www.freedomchallenge.org.za
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