Freedom Trail Podcast

When we think of ultra distance racing, it's normally one bike, one trail, one rider, but in this instance it's just so much more. This family story of pulling together during shared suffering and shared overcoming has just become so inspiring, and in a setting deep in South African culture. In the story we hear today, we chat to Tim van Coller. He is 74-year-old previous Freedom Challenge finisher. He's got two blankets. His last trip on the trail was 12 years ago. But now you'll hear, Tim is no ordinary old man. He is certainly made of the tough stuff, and he rode Race Across South Africa with his son Brett of 52 years, and his grandson Zach of 22 years. Theirs is a story about legacy, connection, courage, trust, belief. I mean, all the good stuff. Commitment, family values, and never giving up. Together they did what few of us thought was possible, and we are fortunate enough to hear from all three of them today and hear how so many special moments came together.Their finish line videoHighlights from RASA day 4 featuring the van Coller trio.Enter RASA 2027 and event info

 Hello Freedom Family These past 15 days feel like an absolute binge on life. Watching Race Across South Africa unfold, has been deeply human, it's been raw, and it's been impossible to look away from. Thank you for joining us in following those dots and listening and tuning in to the Freedom Trail Podcast as we've been cheering on and inspired by the massive efforts put in by the men and women tackling the inaugural race across South Africa. I'm Julia Fisher and my husband Chris, and I host events and tours on the Freedom Trail, and together let's celebrate South Africa. On a trail like this, which connects 2000 kilometers from east to west, it carries stories in its dust, stories of grit, of believing and of not giving up. Riders featured in this episode:Vincent French - cap 7 Mark Fitzjohn - cap 28Quinton Rutherford - cap 37Gavin Robinson - cap 42Brett van Coller - cap 44Tim van Coller - cap 45Zach van Coller - cap 49Click here to dot watch the raceWatch the daily highlight videoFollow us on Instagram Follow us on FacebookJoin the Freedom dot watchers Facebook group

 Hello, freedom Family, It is the second last day of the inaugural Race Across South Africa, day 14. The Fourth Lady and the fifth lady came in today side by side, Becky Sands and Charlene May as well as Miguel. The three of them finished together having written the last section together. It ended up being an emotional moment for Becky when you're pushing so hard and that relief and joy to get to the finish line. Well done. It really looks like Sherlene was really grateful and happy to have been able to ride with Becky and they look to have formed a beautiful friendship from the journey.Riders featured in this episode: Miguel Tiexeria - cap 35Cherlene May - cap 25Rebecca Sands - cap 3Shaun Slabber - cap 6Zach van Coller - cap 49 Tim van Coller - cap 45Click here to dot watch the raceWatch the daily highlight videoFollow us on Instagram Follow us on FacebookJoin the Freedom dot watchers Facebook group

 Hello, freedom Family Welcome to the Freedom Trail Podcast, with all the news from day 13 of race across South Africa. We had 11 finishes receiving their bokkies at Dimersfontein Wine Farm today. Ingrid Avidon came in second place at half past eight this morning, finishing in 12 days and 30 minutes. She left McGregor at 10:30 last night and rode through the night to get here this morning. "Yeah, it was as expected. Very, very hard. Yeah, but lovely, like awesome times. Sometimes were not awesome. And then other times was like awesome. But generally it's just awesome." Ingrid AvidonRiders featured in this episode:Ingrid Avidon - cap 36James Parkin - cap 39Ollie Greaves - cap 11Merak Greaves - cap 10Olebogeng Kgengwe - cap 31 Arrie Rautenbach - cap 19Rob Selley - cap 33Giles Clinton - cap 8Greg Fisher - cap 29Mike Woolnough - cap 16Click here to dot watch the raceWatch the daily highlight videoFollow us on Instagram Follow us on FacebookJoin the Freedom dot watchers Facebook group

 Hello, Freedom FamilToday, day 12 of Race Across South Africa. We've had an incredible 14 riders reach the finish line, 23 still muscling it out there, and eight DNFs and unfortunately 1 DNS. Guy Miles often rides to the start of an event and his plan was to ride to the start of rasa, ride it, and then ride home. He lives in Wartburg and with his loaded bike on the final descent into the race village, to the start line, guy lost control and fell off his bike. Unfortunately, he broke his hand, so was never able to start. . He had surgery a few days later, and I hope your recovery goes as well as it can guy, and hopefully we'll see you on the start line next year. Finishing today was our first lady, Sarah van Heerden, coming in an incredible 13th position in the field. "That route is absolutely amazing. I'm so thrilled I got to do it because I have to be honest, I would never do the Freedom Challenge in winter. I can't handle that cold. The route is exceptional. I mean, I don't even like people, but the people we met and the hospitality and it was unbelievable. I mean, people running out from Airbnbs to tell us to come and stay with them. No, it's so awesome." Sarah van HeerdenRiders featured in this episode:Sarah van Heerden - cap 4Peter Maritz - cap 22DONTE HERE to the SPCA in support of Sarah's incredible ride! Click here to dot watch the raceWatch the daily highlight videoFollow us on Instagram Follow us on FacebookJoin the Freedom dot watchers Facebook group

 Hello, freedom Family. On day 11 of Race Across South Africa, a 2000 kilometer journey riding east to west across the southern tip of Africa. What a privilege and let's dive right into the special moments. On the finish line today in ninth position, came in Riaan Meintjes. Riaan knows the Freedom Trail well and has done each of the four segments as well as the full Freedom Challenge, and let's hear what he's got to say. "Oh, it was amazing. Such a beautiful week. I really enjoyed it. It's an absolute adventure. The people you meet are just incredible and some wildlife experiences along the way. It's just an absolutely stunning route. I think I prefer RASA, but Freedom Challenge has more magic to it, you know, this is more of a proper race and Freedom Challenge to me is more of a journey." Riaan MeintjesRiders featured in this episode:Riaan Meintjes - cap 24Martin Zettle - cap 38Clinton Halsey - cap 21Guy Jennings - cap 9Ingrid Avidon - cap 36Click here to dot watch the raceWatch the daily highlight videoFollow us on Instagram Follow us on FacebookJoin the Freedom dot watchers Facebook group

 Hello, Freedom Family. Today, on day nine of Race Across South Africa, was the race for second place. Pierre Lambert made his move at check point 2. He arrived at check point 2 with the group and left before the rest of them, with Nick and Duncan ahead of him. He worked hard to stay ahead. Then last night while sleeping at Montagu. Zane overtook him in the early morning. Zane then put in a hard effort to create a gap and Zane de Decker finished in second place in eight days and seven hours. Pierre was hot in his wheels coming in one and a half hours later in third position.Riders featured in this episode:Zane de Decker - cap 26Pierre Lambert - cap 13Oliver Greaves - cap 11Click here to dot watch the raceWatch the daily highlight videoFollow us on Instagram Follow us on FacebookJoin the Freedom dot watchers Facebook group

Hello, freedom FamilyWhat a day it was for the Freedom Trail today. Drikus Coetzee took line honours in the inaugural Race Across South Africa, devouring the course in seven days, 12 hours and three minutes. He arrived at the finish line, humble and still in good shape, and shares with us some stories from the trail."It's something special. I think lots of international guys can come and do this route and come and see a really great part of South Africa. I saw, um, absolutely stunning, stunning, stunning places of South Africa" race winner, Drikus Coetzee.Riders featured in this episode:Drikus Coetzee - cap 43Ingrid Avidon - cap 36Shaun Slabber - cap 6Click here to dot watch the raceWatch the daily highlight videoFollow us on Instagram Follow us on FacebookJoin the Freedom dot watchers Facebook group