Woofie

Not a bad idea.

Thanks. Now I am feeling hungry..... talk of burgers.

Just remembered something. The MiCiti buses were free to cyclists on the day. Not a bad option if you coming from the milnerton/table view area....

I was probably in your group then. I was also at the back of the massive start group and just couldnt get to the leading pack on the climb because we started too far back. I bucketed down hels and caught a group of about 8 H riders but then dropped off again as they hit the rollers. It took me forever to warm up. No cycling the last week because I was sick made me feel very slow for the first hour.

I really respect the people that started later on in the race. Whatever I suffered yesterday it must have been 10X worse a hour or three later. The backmarkers dont have groups to cycle in. They started in the heat already and they are going to have to utilize all the water stops not just the last ones. So my hat goes off to them for sticking it out ..... seriously, if I was offered a lift at 90km I would have taken it. I am really glad that I did the race. Im sure my body is a bit more used to the heat now. Who knows? The argus could be 40deg and we could be dropping like flies again. At least now I miiiiigggght be 1% more tolerant to the heat.

I hit my fastest speed this morning down hels. Was getting back to the group... Hit 84.6 Any other high speeds down there today?

Lol. I am a very different animal. Maybe baboon.... Lol No seriously I can go through a large period of time before I need anything to drink. I had breakfast this morning and the little bottle I was carrying was a concentrate of 32 gi which I started sipping a bit earlier. So ample energy supplies. I am very weird. If I drink anything in the morning of a race I need to pee the whole morning. Even without drinking my bladder manages to fill itself somehow. So drinking early doesn't do well with me.

Thats what I rode with as everyone did that ran out. I even had a small bottle in my pocket. To top it off I purposely started drinking late to conserve my water. I rode for almost two hours before I started sipping. But even if I had extra water with me I would have still needed to stop. I had to pour water over myself. It was my only way to cool down.

I pretty much had the same experience. Bonked at 90. Stopped at every water stop to get a ice water shower then. As my body temp came down I was able to push hard and strung a whole load of people along. But the cooling effect only lasts a couple of min then you back to scratch looking for that ice again. Found Wannabe hiding under one of the water point cars. I convinced him to get back into the Sahara with me. I must say that the last 5 km felt longer than the whole race. I saw 37 deg on my Garmin early this morning, I will upload the ride later to see where it got to. This was probably one of my hardest races ever. I just can't take that heat. If it wasn't for that it would have been a awesome race though.

I am now even more happy that I skipped the 99er. Funny enough they used the Bouchard race and last years argus (with a penalty) for the seeding. Seeding is less than what I expected - all the way back to L. But that's what happens when you are slack for a few seasons. I really think it is a great idea if they carry on doing this. At least then people will be seeded more correctly according to how fit you actually are right now. They just need to be more verbal about this though. Some people are going to be miffed that they spent money specially doing seeding races and those results that they have "paid more for" arent being used at all.

Thanks man. Well at least the good news is that if we have got sick now it is very unlikely that we will get sick again before the argus. If I had this the week before then I wouldnt be happy at all. Just make sure you getting enough rest. It is the only thing that helps.

Thats great man. I am planning on being there! Going to rock!

How are you feeling? If it is just in the head a bit you will be ok. If it is sore body still or on the chest then rather not. I think I am going to go through. Feeling 95% now so will see how it goes.

Is it really that much

I have as well. Will need to see how I feel by fridayish Ive ridden sick before.

I had a nice ride on saturday...... on the argus route. I will never skip a opportunity to go past misty cliffs, chappies and of course camps bay.... I have to agree with both sides of the coin here. Worcester race is awesome with the gravel. I cant wait for spring to get up there. But on the other side. You have a klomp people riding this 99er. Just to try and get a better argus seeding and 90% of these people have never touched a dirt road with a bike or probably even their car. So I think dirt roads do have a place in road cycling. It adds some great dynamic. If you scared of falling get out to the front or drop to a safe distance. Your bikes are more than strong enough for this. Chips are like scars, they show that you have been doing something. I do feel sorry for anyone that fell. But again You should have realised you were out of your skill ability and taken it easier. Yes, if everyone is going down in front of you, then you are stuffed. But that is where common sense must take over to get out of the bunch before the dirt. Someone else said it and I agree, it would be great if the race started like the tour de ppa then came over malangshoogte instead of vissers. The downhill tar is a awesome surface and then the dirt road is up hill. Would be safer for the masses then. Because you will always get the masses at a argus seeding race. Also having some bigger climbs up front you will quickly split the groups and there wont be big bunches on the dirt. Another guy said it as well, having a technical race just before the argus is not that great. If I break myself at worcester then its nothing to cry over. But a month before is risky. But at the end of the day. You guys knew what the route was when you entered. If you didnt like it, then thats your own fault.

Lol I was actually thinking about league for spring. Even keen to go to CAT4. The interclub racing looks fun. (They are also talks about them paying for the entry fees which makes it very enticing ) The guys do lots of attacks but in a good fun kind of way. One guy from another team crashed out in the bouchard race, out of respect the outriders waited for him and he ended up on the podium after that! So that sounds pretty cool to me. If I manage to drop some more weight and pump up the fitness again then maybe CAT2 again oneday. But for now I just want to have fun. You racing at all Dale?

I think a lot of guys will be doing the medalion. It is a great ride. New route as well. Also no dirt roads and a normal price tag too $$$

Thanks again for the ride guys. Where are those other pics that were taken?

Yep. Thanks for arranging. And thanks to everyone that came. It was a Lekker ride.

We are leaving Greenpoint now for those waiting on the way

Why is my phone double posting....

Then I am even more glad I am not doing the 99er. The dirt road will be a mud fest even if there is only a little bit of rain.

Edited - Double post

Anyone coming from table view side tomorrow for the ride?