jbeckett

I tried, and had quite a discussion, face to face with SS himself at the Argus expo, and I did tell him what I thought, but he has put himself in charge and nothing is going to change. I also run, and I guess I just cannot help comparing cycling to running, after running 10 Two Oceans, you become part of the Blue Number Club. When you finish your 10th, there and then you are awarded your permanent no, and a badge and have your hand shaken by a running celebrity and a pic. From there on you register in a special Blue Number area where there are refreshments. Even if you are not running you can pop in at the expo, with your spouse, and sit around and chat to other runners. Your race number also has your name and also the number of Ultras that you have run! It would nice if maybe just a little of that could be done for the Argus, but like I say I give up! On a happier note, I had an awesome Argus, managed to stay out of trouble (except for the poor chap that fell on top of me and knocked me off my bike AFTER the finish banner, he cramped!) aaaaand I had the wind at my back at least some of the time.... wasn't it great blowing up Suikerbossie and Chappies! Oh well 22nd Argus done safely, now I can hang up my bike for a bit and concentrate on running, bring on Two Oceans and Comrades! :-)

No no no, I was not referring to you at all but to SS (Stephen Stefano) the control behind Club 21.... to the Forum I come in peace!!! :-) .... and no, no adjectives, I have had my rant, and I am over it! Tomorrow ride! Good luck to everyone, may the wind always be at your back and the black bits pointing down!

Thanks for the encouragement and the rest, oh well I felt that having "paid" for 21 Argus' has earned me the right to a little moan! :-) Whether it is an achievement or not, you decide, my 21 Tours are consecutive, and I lined up every year whether trained/untrained, sick or not, rain, shine, WIND, HOT or cold!.... aaaaand I finished, although that is a lot of luck too, I have come to a few close crashes!.... so yes indeed let us hope that I can keep the black bits pointing down at all times on Sunday! Every year I get scared as statistics are not on my side! Club 21, was started by SS, and as I understand it is run "separately", BUT it is my opinion that this is how SS wants it. As for the badge, and you can shoot me, but I am a badge collector, but that is just me, I offered to get some designs, costs, and source the making thereof, and I was just told no! As you say though, I am a big girl and will not let one ......... <I could add some adjectives here>......... chap, spoil the experience for me! :-)

Club 21 – Unhappiness!!! Last year I completed my 21st Argus and was really excited, I crossed the finish line feeling like a million dollars. After being handed my normal medal I was then ushered to another gazebo, was handed a club 21 medal, my picture was taken and I was smartly ushered off! A few months later I got an email congratulating me and attached was an order form for Club 21 apparel. There wasn’t anything I really liked, and all I really wanted was a little Club 21 badge that I could sew onto my tracksuit with other badges a running permanent nos. I had some correspondence with Stephen Stefano and offered to get a badge designed and made so that it could be offered to others, I was told a firm no. I then left it and said I did not wish to order anything else but said I would still like to come to the club 21 ceremony to at least receive my Club 21 number. I am number 1115! I found out today at registration that the ceremony was last Sunday! I got to speak to Stephen Stefano himself at the Club 21 counter and in short was told that the ceremony costs money and that only the folk that order shirts are invited. I have ridden and paid for 21 Argus cycle tours, but there wasn’t enough money to invite me for a few snacks and to have my number handed to me. The Cycle Tour gives thousands every year to charity, and make no mistake I do not begrudge that, but surely just a little could be spent on “loyal” cyclists. There are only 1115 in total, so how many could there have been last year? Sigh it really leaves a bad taste in my mouth and I cannot help comparing it to running. After 10 Two Oceans marathons, one is handed one’s permanent no ON the finish line! From there on one gets access to the Blue number tent where every year there are refreshments at registration! Has anyone else had a bad Club 21 experience?