Marnitz Nienaber

I have been part of one off the wattsup groups, the current group with it's members will merge into other events during the year, Mike Woolnough is the administrator of this group, he is also part of this topic and if you want to be part of the wattsup group please send Mike a personal message with your phone number. I must say that on one stage we were more than 300 on the group and if you don't have limitless data you are going to be out of data very soon with all the pictures, comments and video posted. The magic of the wattsup group is that it's live 24/7 there are allways dot watchers at all times of the day, which means that one is receiving updates at all times, it also means that you will never be able to sleep or work, which is nice. I have posted this like on the wattsup group, it is also available on the Freedom Challenge main page. The nice thing about this topic is that we can share advice for any blanket aspirations, we have used it with great success in the past and I think that should be the main aim of this page, assisting others in succeeding in their blanket dreams and preparing for the next Freedom Challenge event.

Once again it has been another magic life changing year, fortunately for me I find myself now in the middle of the country and right in the middle of the RASA. Thanks Carl for starting the topic, I think myself and Tim is getting older and hopefully wiser, might be the reason why we weren't racing, or possibly unfit and scared of the racing snakes. I have been speaking to a lot of the newly and old blanket wearers about the soul purpose of this unique race, why are we competing or what is it that we want out of this race and I would like to have some comments from the dot watchers perspective as well as the blanket wearers. Watching everyone finish brings a smile and tears at the same time and a lot of fomo, I had a look at a lot of pictures taken during my years and basically 3 years stood out : My first year doing most of it on my own and getting to grips with the real Freedom Challenge and it's emotionsThe year doing it with Ivor Jones, didn't enjoy it at the time but watching the pictures we had a ball of a time while doing some crazy stuff.My last year ( Hopefully not my last year ) due to my gentle soft marsmellow texture, I couldn't race but instead I saw a lot of places previously unseen. Since turning into a gentle soft marsmellow not being able to dice, I would like to share knowledge about the race and if you give me enough time I might also be available as a guide on the shorter races and if I'm lucky enough to get a sponsor I might be racing Tim Bivvy style next year. You are more than welcome to contact me on email marnitzn@ovk.co.za or 0837619606 I will gladly try to assist with advice needed, it might not always be the best advice, like for instance going up the waterfall in Stetteyns but it will be helpfull.......

Why not ??? Not allowed or scared of climbing ???

Had been out visisting the Kalahari for a few days enjoying the Freedom of no cellphone, watching the stars, sharing a proper Kameeldoring and wishing I was racing. Look's like the sleep, rain, sleet and snow monsters got the better of some of the snakes..... Their strugglelings are inspiring me to maybe make a comeback next year..... Time will tell

What an excellent ride for Tim James through Osseberg at night, takes a special breed ....... JT is racing his personal best firstly, but like myself (not that I could be called a racer) he will race other competitors if it helps himself to succeed in his personal goal. I must say that I enjoyed to chase and race a couple of snakes........

Sometimes it is easier to be the chaser, if Mike can get the gap down to 4 hours, then he has the chance of arriving at a SS before JT leaves it – a huge psychological boost. Does JT keep looking back over his shoulder and push to try and stay ahead or just ride his own race? Both will definitely be going for the win more than the time. The only thing we know for sure, is that we’ll have the answers soon – so stay tuned! I can tell you one truth, JT is racing himself and not competing against any other racers, he just want to better his best. Mike the ordinary cyclist is in racing mode and enjoying every bit of it. The other truth, without mechanical's and bad weather it basically impossible to catch anyone once you turned into the Baviaans home stretch, I have chased a certain James in the past without any success, Alex have chased Martin without any success and the list goes on. It is not impossible but very rarely done.......

Baviaans gate closed at 13H00 and opened at 6H00 last year, JT should make Willomore late night and then a couple more days to finish. It is extremely difficult to catch anyone once you hit the Biaviaans home stretch, depending on mechanical's and the wind, but not easily done. Relentless racing from the old toppies, gives me hope to return once I hit the 50 and smash my own record.

I'm not riding but racing relentlessly on computer. I would have loved to raced, but watching the racing is just as good, JT should be the lead rider within the next few day's, only a few km separating him from Tweet an Co. Questions is, will Tweet a formidable racer then hook up to JT or will he still enjoy the scenery ?

Jacques Tattersal is flying, man on a mission....

Could be a race for ballies, think they are a bit more tungsten, but then you've got Bruce Hughes a young gun.......... Luckily for myself, I've still got time to enter and to give Mike, Tim an Jacques a run for their entry.

By the feel of it, it seems that I am fortunate not to race this year, I can see and feel that the competitors are in for a very wet cold race.......... Speaking about competitors, racing snakes and dark horses, my eye was caught by a few names: Graham Tweet Bird, just done the Expedition Africa going to enjoy the ride with Sarah Hearn, he might just pull her to the Stetteyns gate and enjoy a few leisurely day's waiting for the gate to open......Bruce Koller flying under the radar, maybe teaming up with strong ox Grant Hill Tim & Didi Dean chasing Tweet & CoAndrew Blackburn and Pierre le Roux returningCharl van der Spuy, he know's what he's in for.Gary Scoular teaming up with Scott RutherfoordTim James need no introductionJacques Tattersall going and able for sub 11 Only time and conditions will tell, maybe I must enter......

What the hell you're doing the Freedom Challenge, what a privilege !!! Don't worry about fitness and conditioning, last year I got conditioned and fit in the stretch to Rhodes... Enjoy !!!!

Changing of the Guard The 2018 Freedom Challenge Events have begun with Race to Craddock RTC2018 and Race to Willomore RTW2018 already done. It is with great excitement that we announce a change of management for the Freedom Trail and Freedom Challenge Events. Glenn Harrison and Meryl Glaser of Terra Firma Trail Solutions will be ending their tenure at the end of RASA 2018 after 3 years at the helm and nine years of involvement for Meryl. "The last nine years have been amazing and I wouldn't change it for the world" says Meryl "but it is time for new energy to come in and carry the flag." There is no doubt that Glenn and Meryl have done a fantastic job over the past three years and they will be sorely missed in the race office and by all within the Freedom Trail Community. Hopefully we will still see them riding their bikes along the trail, enjoying the 'fruits' of their hard work. The new race office will be headed by Chris and Julia Fisher of SquareFish Events as of July 2018. This husband and wife team are passionate about the Freedom Trail and could not be more excited about the prospect of taking over the events and tours. They are both "blanket wearers" and respect the ethos of the Freedom Trail. They are committed to the longevity and continued growth of all aspects of the Freedom Trail for years to come. — with Chris Fisher and Julia Fisher.

So I found myself a new challenge at De Aar Toyota, won't be able to do any RASA challenges this year, but staring at the screen watching the race develop brings a longing to be on the trail, I might just pay the organizers a visit since I'm now in the middle of the country.......

Nothing heard yet, still deciding if I need a break, two weeks will do and as ever only time will tell.