Blue Monster

Last year the food at lunch was not great. Breakfast at the end of S1 is great. Snacks at end of S3 are also OK, and all you need at that point. There is a tog bag truck. You are allowed to take one item per rider. My brother & I will share one tog bag, and one cooler box. Cooler box will have our lunch. Not going to take a chance again this year. Race is great, and you will enjoy it. I was unfortunately not fast enough to stick with the front of the bunch, and seemed to be stuck in no mans land quite a bit. We did have a small bunch at the start of S3, but when I took my turn at the front, I realised that I was on my own. Same for S4. I am hoping that I will be closer to the front this year, and have some group. The break between stages is enough to recover a bit, and start the next stage quite fresh. There is normally a tail wing on S2 and a head wind on S3, but last year there was a head wind on S2. They had to delay the start od S3, as there were a lot of riders still out in S2.

Not everyone will be happy with the seeding. I personally feel that the guys who race regularly got the seeding they deserve. I did. The guys that want to race once or twice a year, not so much.

The tapiriik.com site works like a bomb. I auto upload to garmin with my edge510, and an hour or so it is on strava. No intervention needed. One problem does come up from time to time is that the link between garmin & strava on the site get damaged. You just need to log on to the site and re-link. I could never get the copymysports to work.

I am there with you.

The problem with these big events is that they bring out everyone. Local road races in Gauteng have between 600 and 3000 entries. I am sure it is the same in the other regions. This means that most of the riders at the big events don't race often if at all. We all need to be patient with the guys that don't race often, and accept that they will naturally have a lower seeding than most. If you are a racer, race more often, improve your seeding, and race with fellow racers. Don't only race once a year, start in a lower "fun" batch, and then complain that your fellow competitors don't know how to bunch ride/race. I am competitive by nature, and started at the back end of the alphabet soup for my first race last year. I trained hard and did as many races as possible. I can also hold my own in a bunch. This all gave me a F start for Argus 2014. Had I not been sick, I would have had a blast. Possibly come in under 3:15 for my first Argus. I have learned a lot, am doing more races this year, to get a better 94.7 seeding, which will all lead to an even better 2015 Argus seeding. Bottom line "If you are a racer, race as often as possible, if you are a fun rider, enjoy the atmosphere"

All the comments about the seeding seem to contradict other issues: Everyone wants last years event to not have any penalty. So a rider has a good 2013 Argus, and never gets on a bike again, and expects a good start for 2014. There is the problem with riders seeded too high. Possibly have not been on a bike for months. I personally spent the last 13 months preparing for the 2014 Argus. I have done nearly every Racetec event, in an attempt to get a good start at the main seeding races for 94.7 and Argus. My first race last year was the Fast One with a glorious time over 4 hours. I managed to get my seeding index down to the very low 20s, which got me an F start. I also took three weeks off over December, we were out of the country, and took nearly 1 month to feel quick on the bike again. I would hate to think how I would have felt being off the bike for longer. The seeding will never be perfect. But I think it is pretty dam close, with maybe a little more emphasis should be placed on the more recent events. Would you guys answer a questing honestly on the entry form, as to whether you in the race for fun(day out), or to race (racing snake)?

Don't get sick a week before your first Argus, after training for just over a year. I tried every remedy I could, including a visit to a local Doc, and something called a BOM. I couldn't even start. Long way to go to support my brother, but he did well, so still worth it. I try again next year. BTW the Argus is many things to many people. For me it would have been to try and get as close to a 3.00 as possible, my brother just wanted to finish, better than 5hrs, being that he is not a small lad. Then there are those that go along for the ride. No need to flame any of us/them.

Me too. Started yesterday morning. I have officially taken every remedy I know. Feeling better today. Hope to ride on Thursday in CT.

That would be great. Could you PM me the link.

Hi guys I am looking for a Garmin ride of about 3:15 from last year to use as a virtual racer. Thanks

The only issue I see is the according to the eta times at the finish, all the open seeded groups will come through the short course riders over most of the last 15km or so.

BL was mayhem. I was chatting to my brother at the end about the crashes around me, when another BL rider rides past and said possibly over 10 crashes in BL. I heard at least 3 and was involved in one. 72 riders from BL over the line in 1 minute, not including the VB and VC riders that had joined the main bunch. They need to keep the bunches smaller, and start them 3 minutes apart. A bit like Argus is doing. Each group knows they will have to get a move on or they will get caught by the next one.

The reason is quite simple. I am approaching my training peak for the Argus. I am pretty much knackered all the time. I don't think I could run in the top half of the AL batch, where it is likely to be safer. With all the accidents from this last weekend, I would prefer to be further up the field. With a BL start, I might be able to even help out at the front. I just don't want to crash this close to Argus.

AL for me too. Hopefully not as dangerous as R4S. Will possible drop to BL.

I rode in BL. The guys riding in the oncoming lane, and then just joining the group caused at least one accident. All but one BL crash happened behind me. The sound of bikes crashing still sends shivers up my spine. A guy hit a cone in just in front and to the right of me, and he came down, with his bike just going in front of my front wheel. No time to bunny hop, but landed up riding over his bike and nearly coming off myself. Possible the save of the day. On a side note, which idiot thought it would be a good idea to have large orange cones at a cycle race where the groups are big, and only the first few guys see them. But an excellent ride coming in abou 3.03ish.

Respect has got to start somewhere. As far as I am concerned, the smaller object on the road, with a greater risk of injury, and no seat belt or airbag, should start first. I seldom see a car hold its line when a 18 wheeler is approaching in the wrong lane, from the other direction.

Don't forget the cyclists cant read STOP. Fire engine deployed

I have a 22.04 index from my Rand Water Race For Victory last year. I an in F. Can't say that I am unhappy.

Managed a 3:12 from a B start. Hillsnax was tough, and my first time up there. I seem to have managed to stay with the second B group, only to be dropped at the Lion Park. The short route riders and the regular riders made it interesting to say the least. The last 10kms were hell. Was caught by the lead C group riders just as I crossed over the N14. Had nothing left in the legs to even stay with them to the finish. This racing every weekend really hammers you

Thanks for the advice. Looks like I will drop back to BL, and hope to stay at least in the middle of the group up to 9kms. Then either keep with them and possible pick up some dropped AL riders. Hope the finish is not like the D2D. After last weekends fun , I hope I will still be strong enough for a sub 3.

How hard do the open seeded groups go up the first climb? Is it all out and suffer he rest of the ride, or let's make it to the end? AL start for me, but after last weekend, I think I would be better off in BL.

I was in the crash and rode with you guys at the back of your group. Girl on Bianchi was amazing. All I could do was hang on, arm bleeding and body sore. Front wheel buckled. Brakes rubbed even with the wheel release activated. Still managed to finish with a 3.01. Seven stitches later, and I will be back next weekend. Wife not to thrilled, but what can we do.

Thanks Does anyone know how many open seeded start groups there are?

Anyone have a Garmin or Starva for this race?

I am going to take it easy till Jan 2014. SBR 1st Saturday after holiday.