A collection of daily voice notes as sent by Dr Sandy Inglis to his personal whatsapp followers group during RASA 2021. These wonderfully descriptive narrationstell a beautiful story of his journey accross South Africa. Thanks to Steve Burnett for compiling the voice notes into 4 files (one for each 4-5 day portion) for ease of listening.
Knowing Your Limits | RASA 2021
I recently shared Mike Roy’s last report for RASA 2021. It makes some good reading, however I
found the stats most interesting. Needless to say I had some complimentary feedback on my humble
achievement, however one of the comments I received was from a school colleague a year or two
behind me at school. I via return comment suggested that he should be next up for the challenge.
During a conversation at the Rhodes stop over, Mike confirmed that he knew the person from his
East London days, and had also been suggesting to him that he should be doing RASA.
Let me undoubtedly state that the person in question, was, and I am sure still is, a much more
talented or gifted person than I was or will probably ever be. (Physically and intellectually). I was at
best an average sports participant, having achieved some nice milestones, but never really coming
close to the top echelons of my sports activities. I won’t bore you with these; however it is safe to
say I have stretched myself on numerous occasions.
This person’s comment back to me on my suggestion that he participate was “I know my limits”. (I
need to mention he clearly put an emoji next to it with a wink!). That however made me think and
snigger at the same time. The question is this; do we really know our limits? I can quote numerous
sayings that would challenge that statement, however it can also lead to another few discussions. I
will give my humble opinions on two points: -
RASA is not for everyone. Whether you are racing the event or a tourist, (completely the
wrong description!), RASA is extremely tough. Hard Core tough! Each day is hard, some days
are easier than others, but still tough. A lot of days are extremely challenging and extremely
tough. Forget about the challenging weather we had at times this year. Even on the most
suitable of days to ride your bike, you are going to dig deep, very deep at times. Memories
are short, but you could dig deeper than you have ever done before. Ask the contenders for
the top place finishers how the race went. They will have done meticulous planning and
preparation, but nothing stops your inner demons from testing you. The same for the
tourists such as me. Whilst I am classed as a “tourist”, having completed the adventure in a
little short of 21 days, I consider myself as a racer. Laugh at me if you will, however I tried
my best and beyond every single day out there. I completed the event in the best possible
time I could. For me, I “raced” RASA. Ask me after the event if I would ever do RASA again,
and I don’t have to give you my comments. At 61, I do think my extreme events may have
come to an end; however my awe of this event urges me to suggest that RASA could be a
sort of pinnacle of an adventure cyclist event for a lot of people.
I would strongly advise that anyone considering doing RASA, and even the individual legs of
The Freedom Challenge, think really hard as to the reasons you want to participate in this
challenging but rewarding “adventure”, as someone who is a podium finisher named the
event to a colleague and me. If you are simply looking for some fun and adventure, I can
suggest lots of other alternatives, which are great fun and adventure activities. Yes, amidst
the at sometimes pain, exhaustion and tough times, there are numerous fun moments. You
will see parts of our country that most people will only see snippets of in their life time. Here
you will experience beauty and sometimes poverty and the simple existence of life, like
others will never see. Stetteyns has to be one of the most beautiful and unspoilt areas I have
been to. Some of the fynbos areas outside McGregor have to belong in God’s back yard.
Flowers, sun birds and sugar birds abound in all sorts of colours, shapes, sizes and sounds.
How the young herders towards the top of Lehanas exist leaves me astounded. These are
memories in my head that don’t need photographs to explain or remind me of.
However, the big warning, RASA is not simply a fun adventure. You must think about your
participation more than over a glass of wine. Think hard and deep, and if your innermost
reasons for wanting to do RASA are compelling enough, what are you waiting for?
Remember, like me a lot of other participants are Mr/Mrs/Miss average, so dare I suggest, if
you have the very strong desire to participate in RASA, you can probably complete it. Yes
you will have to train extremely long hours and hard, (another topic), have a strong mind, be
stubborn at times, tenacious, however the psychological experience you will encounter of
completing it, will only be known to you across the finish line.
The issue of you probably completing RASA does lead to my second opinion though.
2. Do you really know your limits? REALLY?! I can promise you one thing, I dug deeper than I
have for a long, very long time, and if not the deepest I have ever dug in my life. Yes age is
not my friend anymore, as I stare down my best before and expiry date more regularly. But, I
am unequivocal in my opinion that I grew tremendously during RASA.
I won’t get too religious here, however one of my colleagues during the race suggested that
he knew I my convictions may be slightly religious. That was true, however during and by the
end of RASA, I was way beyond that. There were times on my bike when no one was around,
that I cried with big tears. I shouted into the wind where nobody could hear me. I cried in my
bed. Maybe you don’t relate to the religious part, however I can assure you, at times, your
inner demons will test you beyond measure. If you succumb as many do, as was put to me
by an experienced and podium finisher RASA participant and blogger as I have stated before,
you are possibly normal. (Not judging their personal reasons!) But overcoming those
demons stretches and expands you to new limits. Remember the sayings, you cannot grow
in your comfort zone, and challenge your limits, don’t let your limits challenge you.
The growth I have experienced during RASA is something I could not have imagined. The
growth and bonding my family experienced leaves me speechless. I won’t bore you with the
details, but I can promise you, each and every RASA participant knows what I am talking
about. Not one will challenge my opinion.
So, in closing, I have new limits. Limits I never knew and probably most other people I know,
share the same opinion. They asked why I am doing this. Are you mad? Are you stupid? Have
you forgotten your age? Why? Why, why, why…? You will possibly endure the same
questions, but if like me you have a little rat inside you that needs to be fed with adventure
and adrenalin every now and again, I suggest you strongly check in and see if you really
know your limits? As Nelson Mandela said, “It is impossible until it is done”
(And by the way, does anyone know of a decent rat poison that will sort this rat inside me
out for ever!)
In February 2021 I got to be part of small four-person team, led by race director Chris Fisher, that did a reconnaissance of the race route for the inaugural edition of the Freedom Circuit scheduled for April.
Words: Carlo Gonzaga
Good photos: Llewellyn Loyd/Reblex Photography
Bad photos: Riders
“Kuphi isipaza? Kuphi isipaza!?” Warm greetings aside this will be the most often asked question of locals during the inaugural Freedom Circuit bike packing race scheduled for April 2021. This begs the question, ‘why do I need to know the whereabout of a shop for a bike race?’
The last 20 years has seen South African main-stream mountain biking culture grow up on a diet of multi-day stage races. These are world class events where a riders’ every need is catered for. I’ve seen inflatable swimming pools and pizza ovens in locations so remote I could barely get my bicycle there. Riding ranged from damn hard to easy, and almost always on well-maintained routes and tracks. Stage race fatigue birthed gravel riding events and its favourite tool, the gravel bike. These events are similarly well organised: manned waterpoints; 100% ridable routes and large fields. Great camaraderie and a real test of pure lower limb horsepower. Given the relatively fast riding speeds and numerous support stations, 100mile (160km) and 150mile (240km) events are within reach of average riders.
The Freedom Circuit is none of these events.
The Call
I got the call from Chris Fisher in January asking me if I wanted to do a reconnaissance ride of the race route in February. My reply was simple – “count me in… for whatever”.
Read full report here…
