Rouxenator

Glad he got out with minor damage. It was the biggest crash I have seen in front of my eyes. But the sound of it was the worst for me. There was a very loud bang and I still don't know from what. Was someone riding on 12 bar? I was on 3. It was the only time today when I was glad I was on something with big disc brakes and a shock.

Probably more on mine, those on the The Hub who know me will tell you I run my knobbly tyres down to slicks. This would surely have given me a boost today Thanks, I only saw one other 26er and it was proper old school with v-brakes and a 3x8 setup. Lady said her road bike was stolen a week ago and she could not find a replacement in time. That is epic - you go girl! The crash happened in front of me I'll never forget the sound and the bit of the aftermath I saw from the side of the road. Good luck to anyone recovering from that.

My first time on knobblies - I decided to go all out and take my old Kona 26er. I think I am somewhere in the 3:40s. This was the most fun Argus I have done. Could keep up with 2A all the way to the bottom of hospital bed and then my 40km/h max pedaling speed put me where I belong. Anyone know how bad the 2C group crash on the M3 was? I was at the back and had to jump the side walk to get to the slipway around it. It sounded horrendous and looked the part too. Apart from that I heard a crash happen behind me as we got to that first turn with the slight climb in Simonstown. There was also a bloke with a bit of blood on the way down from Cape Point national park. By looks of the marks on the tarmac it looked serious. Still enjoyed it so much, I loved waving and shouting at the crowds and hearing them roar in response. Just knowing off the bat that I am out of the race made this a lovely funride for me. It was also the first time I had someone ask me, while riding, if I can take some pics of him with his phone. Strange but since I had nowhere else to be I did it. Got a really weird medal too - and I did not ride twice - strange. Start view in 2A Next year it will be hard to decide between the 29er and 26er. One thing is for sure, I don't regret selling my road bike.

OK, makes sense then. I could ride everything with flats although I did have to put my foot out on some of those switchbacks.

Just out of curiosity, do you ride with cleats or flat pedals? LOL - I think they can help to increase the rider total, and income, an event makes. But yeah - start at the back, do not ask to pass - do so only when safe.

I'm rich, fat, arrogant and ride a normal bike. So I'm better than you.

The opposite, for the loose. They should start at the back and be told not to ask for track. They can over take on jeep track. With those rules in place I won't mind them. When we went through there everybody was still riding, but it is rather scary because the drop on the side is steep. I enjoyed it.

My condolences to those who were not strong enough to ride this on their own steam. If an alcoholic, near 40 year old, overweight rider, on a 2014 hardtail can finish this.... nee jinne.

There was plenty of white gold in the portaloos when I took a pre-ride dump just before 7am. This was good, it was demanding and I expected it to be. Perhaps I was convincing myself it was harder than it actually was because I finished feeling pretty good. Did dial it back a bit and came in a nudge over 4 hours. A proper MTB Challenge I'd say - good job PPA.

I know, same here in Stellies. The commute to work was hectic.

I hear Chapmans is closed today because of "the wind."

Starting early means you will finish early. It's going to be the same for me in the Argus. My performance is down, I'm on a MTB. I'll be last in 2A.

Same. I'll start at the back where I belong. It's been over 18 months since I last did this route and for me the most demanding is that climb after you go under Helshoogte. Followed by those climbs towards reaching the finish.

Kudos to you sir! I would not pay anymore than the ~R650 I am paying now. (entry, parking, petrol).

In 2012 my sister finished her first and last Argus on a 26er Silverback Reno Femme with an old school 3x7 drivetrain. So I am very tempted to do this on my Kona 26er but on the other hand I know it will be easier on my 29er... I'll leave that decision for a slightly intoxicated Rouxenator on the evening of Saturday 7 March.

I did double laps in 2016 and 2018 - so two laps two times. That itch has been scratched. My focus on road cycling has declined and last year I rode my road bike twice. Looking forward to riding a more relaxed CTCT on knobby wheels this year.

From 1B to 2A - should actually be further down considering my performance the past year. I think I got that seeding from K2C.

Tandem?! That's like bringing two horse power to a one horse power race.

At least I have the choice between a 26er or 29er.

Well.... I've always wondered what it would be like to do the Argus on a mountain bike. Now I'll find out. Sold my road bike last night.

Only 10 hours? I've done 6 Trans Karoos, all of them taking more than 12 hours, all of them on hard tail. No problem.

Take me to work

I think a lot of it has to do with the perception of how much you should pay for a mountain bike. To me it seems people think you are unable to ride a bike that costs less than R20k and the more you pay the longer it will last. Here I am on 29,000km riding a bike that cost me R9k used 4 years ago.

Talking me home

To a hot place.