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<\/a>RMB Change a Life MTB Academy founder and keen adventurer, Martin Dreyer is excited by his participation in this weekend’s Ride to Rhodes, a self-navigated, non-stop, 500km mountain bike event from Pietermaritzburg to the Eastern Cape town Rhodes. Anthony Grote\/ Gameplan Media<\/span><\/p>\nThe sub-event of the renowned Freedom Challenge\u2019s Race Across South Africa \u2013 a 2300km MTB challenge from KZN\u2019s Pietermaritzburg to Wellington in the Western Cape \u2013 sees participants self-navigate the 500km route non-stop within the eight day cut-off, all the while being self-sufficient with just support stations every 80-100km to rely on for assistance, food and accommodation.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve done three Freedom Challenges previously and now I\u2019m really excited to be taking on the Ride to Rhodes this year!\u201d says Dreyer.<\/p>\n
A race that is more a journey than a contest, the Ride to Rhodes sees participants, in conjunction with the Freedom Challenge\u2019s competitors, depart KZN\u2019s capital in batches daily between 1 and 11 June, each rider filled with an unique expectation and set of goals for their journey.<\/p>\n
For Dreyer, the challenge is a personal one in 2016 as he looks to test his boundaries and overcome the distance and the weather both as best and as quickly as he can.<\/p>\n
\u201cBoth the Freedom Challenge and the Ride to Rhodes are very personal experiences; it\u2019s all about what you, as an individual, want to get out of it.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere is no prize money and whether you finish first or finish last you get the same reward.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere are two guys in my batch looking to beat the RTR\u2019s record time while others are there just to enjoy the experience, relax at the farm houses along the way and enjoy a glass of red wine in the evenings.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m at the stage of my racing career where I\u2019ve long retired from the competitive side of racing so for me, this is about the challenge of taking on the elements and extending myself.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere is a great sense of the unknown that influences this race; not only do you have to battle the technical requirements of the route and the distance of the race, but you have to overcome sleep deprivation, know how to conserve energy when necessary and be clever when it comes to dealing with the weather as well!<\/p>\n
\u201cFor me its about finding the answers to questions like \u2018Am I tough enough?\u2019 and \u2018Can I handle it?\u2019 each time I\u2019m presented with another of the race\u2019s challenges.\u201d<\/p>\n