Freedom Challenge RTC 2017 – Boom! The race explodes
RTC – Race to Cradock
The Race to Cradock takes place in March each year. It is a 575 km, non-stop, self-navigated mountain bike race starting in Rhodes and ending in Cradock, Eastern Cape. Riders are allowed a maximum of 6 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. Riders are required to be self-sufficient and carry all their own personal belongings with them.
Further support along the way is provided by:
- 5 support stations which also serve as compulsory check points. These support stations occur roughly every 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.
- Riders may send a pre-packed 2 litre container of their own to each support station, to be collected during the race. These typically contain the maps for the next section, bike spares, snacks etc which will be needed along the way.
- 5 emergency stops where food and emergency accommodation can be arranged for riders – this is done by the race office.
- Accommodation at the start in Rhodes and the finish in Cradock is included in the race fee
Please note: no individual seconding is permitted during the event – this means that no friends, family or other supporters may meet you along the route and offer assistance during the ride.
RACE ROUTE
The route follows a section of the Freedom Trail known as the Stormberg which traverses a wide variety of off-road terrain including dirt roads, farm roads, old historical wagon routes and animal tracks. Apart from the riding, there a few portage sections where riders will have to hike, push and even carry their bikes.
Since the route is not marked, riders need to navigate by means of maps, compass and narrative directions – the use of GPS devices for navigation during the race is not allowed and will lead to disqualification.
2017 ENTRY
The entrance fee for the 2017 Race to Cradock is R6200 (Early bird 2016 rate) valid Tuesday 22nd March – Tuesday 5th April.
Entry fee as of 6 April 2016: R6750
The entrance fee covers the following:
- pre-ride dinner in Rhodes
- all meals during the ride
- end of ride dinner in Cradock
- accommodation for 7 nights including Rhodes and Cradock
- official ride garment
- a mystery finisher’s prize
Follow the race on #live tracking http://trackmybike.co.za/api/liverace/liverace.php
