Sean1

There are usually two perspectives in road and MTB races, Ride to race or improve times, and ride to have fun or social ride. Both are enjoyable. The 94.7 double loop is a classic example where you can do both, race then socialize. Which I have done and enjoyed, both laps. The Imana Wild Ride is a big social ride for me. Outside of races we train and ride for coffee stops :-) I Think the vibe is a mix of the two perspectives, which is fine.

A formula would have been used on the day, definitely. I would add. Carrying two bottles or camel pack on the bike will also usually take you past the first one or two tables. Thinking recreational rider here. So the tables in the last 60% of a long distance ride, on a hot day, will have to provide for much more. Water will be used for filling all bottles, splashing faces etc. Especially on hot days. Had a blast this year. Had fun at the front end of BL up Fox and along Dards. 5 to 6 riders working well together, carried a big group to almost the end of Dards. Carried two bottles, about 1.2 l which ran out with 29km to go... luckily I had some friends around to share some. The event was well organized from my perspective and also judging by all the many race stories at the end. It really is a great route and finish venue! Back next year for sure.

Hot ride today! 2h48m in the hot seat. Looked like a very bad fall. Just before Sherwood offramp. One or two touches of wheels with the guy next to him and down.

My first sub 3 yesterday, in 2h55:38 from 1A. All the way from a 3h21:08 and S batch in 2011. Chuffed! Had to be this year with the great weather! Bad luck to Spoke and those who crashed. Many near misses out there, with large batches, riders jostling for the front and narrow roads.

Could have added: english / italian threaded & or oem / non-oem Black products as well. ????

Camps Bay on Thursday evening. One of my best days in CT and what a pity we did not have the Argus in that! Shot with the iPhone 5 in Pano mode.

Took this pic at Camps Bay on my iPhone 5, using the Pano option. Normally use 7D.

This was my 4th Argus and i really enjoyed it. Wish I had the same form in prior years when the conditions were perfect! Tips for the race organisers: Signboards leading cyclists from the roads to the start chutes. There was some confusion next to the Std bank building. Riders backtracking and get conflicting directions from marshals about where to enter from. Potholes and trenches on the route. Get that super efficient city to get the route really flat and skinny tyre friendly prior to the Argus. I was surprised at times riding in D batch, and having caught other riders before Smits, at the size of the potholes. No warning from riders you hit potholes, or have to hop them. Inexperienced riders jump on the brakes and this causes bunch braking and possibly crashes! Potholes is an easy repair? Misty Cliffs had some rough spots as well. Luckily there were no freshly dug road repairs like last year!! Thanks for that. Make the batches a little bigger and make the gaps 2 to 3 minutes. Would save us from all coming together before Smits. Otherwise what can I say! Had a ball this year. I had great climbing legs and thoroughly enjoyed the racing at the front of D batch. all this rush against a very sunny windy CT. The friendliest, cleanest city in SA. Loved the race and meeting fellow riders who urged us to go hard for a sub 3 up Suikerbossie and who shake hands at the finish after a thrilling ride. The hub also allows you to revisit aspects long after the race!! Top marks for sharing all of you. PS just missed the sub by 101secs. Back next year.

Well done Joerg!!

3:01:40 odd according to Garmin. That headwind finish was too much for the legs and the sub3. Congrats to D batch and one C batch rider for the concerted effort after Suiker. Hit 2:38 at the top and thought that we had a chance! The peloton was huge going up Smitswinkel but at least there were no freshly dug roadworks to navigate near Simons Town and no crashes (just lots of random braking) Back next year!

A little gap on the line gives him yellow! Beautiful. The wedged bus was a sign...

With superglue :-) The non shtick variety are probably best and reusable! It was my first 93.33 and in the end I enjoyed it a lot! Next time though I think I will stay with C batch #2 instead of trying to jump to the next batch. Got caught on the mighty long N14. There is also more climbing than some locals suggested and there is no air in JHB. Especially coming from KZN. A hard worked 2h49 for me. Big ++ cruising the highways on the bike checking out the big city. The friendly and many water stations and marshals are also to be commended. Back again next year. A Q: If my bike weighs 10.4kgs will a 7.2kg bike make any noticeable difference, or should I lose 3kgs instead?

Giant Anthem 29er. Love the bike. I am 5f10.

I rate J2C, but I believe that the EPIC is tougher. The terrain looks loose underfoot as compared to J2C. Day 4 of the J2C is excellent. It is longer than day 2 of Sani and has more variation. The two best day's riding of all time. Gary vs Glen.

The results are out results: www.elitetiming.co.za/Results/2012Result...bid/120/Default.aspx writeup: www.roag.co.za/recent-events/2012/safire...eld-mtb-classic.aspx writeup: www.dirtjam.co.za/calverley-and-bergstrom-retain-series-lead/