Freedom Trail Podcast

Julia Fisher
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The Freedom Trail Podcast is your front-row seat to one of South Africa’s most iconic long-distance adventures. Join us as we dive into everything Freedom Trail; from race build-ups and route insights to trail updates, race news, and behind-the-scenes stories. We’ll chat with riders, organisers, supporters, and trail legends, sharing practical advice, hard-earned lessons, and unforgettable moments from the trail. Whether you’re preparing for your first Freedom Challenge or Race Across South Africa, following the races from afar, or simply drawn to stories of endurance, adventure, and open roads, this podcast brings you closer to the heart of the trail. This is where preparation meets passion, and where the stories of the Freedom Trail come alive. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. First Days of Freedom

    1d ago

    First Days of Freedom

    The riders are rolling and the adventure has begun. Freedom Challenge 2026 is underway. And Freedom family, just to think, there is something very special about these opening days of Freedom when the riders are standing on that freezing start line, sometimes carrying years of preparations and dreams with them, and that feeling that nobody really knows what lies ahead, what the mountains are gonna be like, and the weather, and the river crossings, and how you're gonna cope with the sleepless nights and those countless decisions. All of that still waits out there somewhere on the trail. Today is Friday, the 12th of June, and the trail has been open since Monday. We have five batches out there tackling the elements, which up until now have been kind. My name is Julia Fisher, and this is the Freedom Trail podcast, which is proudly delivered to you by our new logistics partner, Igmi's Express. In the pack this year we have Ron Rutland. Very exciting to have him on the trail, and he shared some of his pre-race reflections with us. Riders featured in this episode: Ron RutlandJohn BowenFranco OlivierWilliam MillsMike du ToitGreg FisherMike RoyAndrew PurnellJack Black and Sal MarcoCraig MacroryGuy MacquetLeon KrukerBrian KrugerEnslin UysKirsten SearleDes SeraleCraig Bosenberg Full Freedom Challenge route description for a 21 day ride by Mike Woolnough Click here to dot watch the race Follow us on Instagram Follow us on Facebook Join the Freedom dot watchers Facebook group Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    33 min
  2. Three generations Race Across South Africa

    May 20

    Three generations Race Across South Africa

    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 video Highlights from RASA day 4 featuring the van Coller trio. Enter RASA 2027 and event info Full Freedom Challenge route description for a 21 day ride by Mike Woolnough Click here to dot watch the race Follow us on Instagram Follow us on Facebook Join the Freedom dot watchers Facebook group Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 15m
  3. Season 1, episode 15: day 15 RASA 26

    Apr 28

    Season 1, episode 15: day 15 RASA 26

    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 49 Click here to dot watch the race Watch the daily highlight video Follow us on Instagram Follow us on Facebook Join the Freedom dot watchers Facebook group Full Freedom Challenge route description for a 21 day ride by Mike Woolnough Click here to dot watch the race Follow us on Instagram Follow us on Facebook Join the Freedom dot watchers Facebook group Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    19 min
  4. Season 1, episode 14: day 14 RASA 26

    Apr 26

    Season 1, episode 14: day 14 RASA 26

    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 45 Click here to dot watch the race Watch the daily highlight video Follow us on Instagram Follow us on Facebook Join the Freedom dot watchers Facebook group Full Freedom Challenge route description for a 21 day ride by Mike Woolnough Click here to dot watch the race Follow us on Instagram Follow us on Facebook Join the Freedom dot watchers Facebook group Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    7 min
  5. Season 1, episode 13: day 13 RASA 26

    Apr 25

    Season 1, episode 13: day 13 RASA 26

    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 Avidon Riders 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 16 Click here to dot watch the race Watch the daily highlight video Follow us on Instagram Follow us on Facebook Join the Freedom dot watchers Facebook group Full Freedom Challenge route description for a 21 day ride by Mike Woolnough Click here to dot watch the race Follow us on Instagram Follow us on Facebook Join the Freedom dot watchers Facebook group Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    18 min
  6. Season 1, episode 12: day 12 RASA 26

    Apr 25

    Season 1, episode 12: day 12 RASA 26

    Hello, Freedom Famil Today, 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 Heerden Riders featured in this episode: Sarah van Heerden - cap 4Peter Maritz - cap 22 DONTE HERE to the SPCA in support of Sarah's incredible ride! Click here to dot watch the race Watch the daily highlight video Follow us on Instagram Follow us on Facebook Join the Freedom dot watchers Facebook group Full Freedom Challenge route description for a 21 day ride by Mike Woolnough Click here to dot watch the race Follow us on Instagram Follow us on Facebook Join the Freedom dot watchers Facebook group Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    5 min
  7. Season 1, episode 11: day 11 RASA 26

    Apr 23

    Season 1, episode 11: day 11 RASA 26

    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 Meintjes Riders featured in this episode: Riaan Meintjes - cap 24Martin Zettle - cap 38Clinton Halsey - cap 21Guy Jennings - cap 9Ingrid Avidon - cap 36 Click here to dot watch the race Watch the daily highlight video Follow us on Instagram Follow us on Facebook Join the Freedom dot watchers Facebook group Full Freedom Challenge route description for a 21 day ride by Mike Woolnough Click here to dot watch the race Follow us on Instagram Follow us on Facebook Join the Freedom dot watchers Facebook group Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    16 min
  8. Season 1, episode 10: day 10 RASA 26

    Apr 22

    Season 1, episode 10: day 10 RASA 26

    Hello Freedom family, Thank you for tuning in for another episode of the Freedom Trail podcast, where we hear firsthand from the riders on day 10 of Race Across South Africa. Before we dive into the rider experiences out there, Mike Woolnough shares what it's like to ride mid-pack on Race Across South Africa. "We've seen some of the top guys come in and it looks like they've just written around the block. Some of them look like they have just written around the dam and come back and they look as fresh as daisies. But I mean, these guys are gladiators. You know, what's it like for Joe average? Joe average being the guys and girls who are riding Race Across South Africa and finishing outside of the top 10." Mike Woolnough  Riders featured in this episode: Mike Woolnough - cap 16Kobus van Niekerk - cap 32Rudi Bassi - cap 30Nicolas Stathoulis - cap 23Duncan Luke van Niekerk - cap 40Willie di Plessis - cap 1Giles Clinton - cap 8Becky Sands - cap 3Shaun Slabber - cap 6 Click here to dot watch the race Watch the daily highlight video Follow us on Instagram Follow us on Facebook Join the Freedom dot watchers Facebook group Full Freedom Challenge route description for a 21 day ride by Mike Woolnough Click here to dot watch the race Follow us on Instagram Follow us on Facebook Join the Freedom dot watchers Facebook group Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    29 min
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About

The Freedom Trail Podcast is your front-row seat to one of South Africa’s most iconic long-distance adventures. Join us as we dive into everything Freedom Trail; from race build-ups and route insights to trail updates, race news, and behind-the-scenes stories. We’ll chat with riders, organisers, supporters, and trail legends, sharing practical advice, hard-earned lessons, and unforgettable moments from the trail. Whether you’re preparing for your first Freedom Challenge or Race Across South Africa, following the races from afar, or simply drawn to stories of endurance, adventure, and open roads, this podcast brings you closer to the heart of the trail. This is where preparation meets passion, and where the stories of the Freedom Trail come alive. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Information

  • Creator
    Julia Fisher
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    17
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Julia Fisher
  • Show Website
    Freedom Trail Podcast