Cadre

Correction, "se Muff af..." has never been part of the expression. Don't know where you get that from. You are right, the days when the Bluff was Rough and Tough are long gone. We have all settled into Careers and Families, most have relocated, others emigrated. The Heyday of the "Ruff and Tuff" tag was during the Border war around the 70's and early 80's. Grosvenor Boys High school was the epicenter for copious supply of hardy boys. Dirkie Uys and Grosvenor annual rugby clash was called the BOER WAR and sideline fights of opposing parents were guaranteed. I got drilled by a left hook myself..and it was a woman who hit me for no reason. I was just standing at my Inside Centre position, before the ref blew the whistle for the start of the game in '82. We have moved on. Judges, pilots, doctors, preachers etc. and many are still living on the Bluff and we are still getting together. Jakes "Rooibaard" Oosthuizen was a S/Sgt from the Bluff, phenomenal soldier. He would bite your ears till blood flows on the parade ground if you complained about 5SAI in Ladysmith. With his beard full of blood, he would continue training Infantry soldiers the rest of the day. "Ek sal 'n koei se Po@s oor jou kop trek laat 'n bul jou brains uitnaa@." was his trademark saying. Bluff oke per definition.. There many older characters left on the Bluff, but those youngsters claiming allegiance to the old habits, occasional deranged norms of yesteryear and sometimes questionable values of those days are talking nonsense. Just softie Millennials these days.

Worth the trip from Durban. No complaints whatsoever. A small improvement might be a Portaloo or six right next to the start. Otherwise a lekka day out. We are safely home in Durban.I will be back next year.

On Dad!!! Wheelchair in March and crutches for another two months and then extensive physio and acupuncture after I badly ripped my Right Leg Abductor muscle in a massive wipe-out and a bus stopping inches away from my face, and that at 4am on a Wednesday morning. Very grateful to be alive and given another chance. Feeling strong enough for the 110km. Bring it on.

I have not left Cape Town with a positive feeling.....for two years running Third time lucky, I hope?

Dear CTCT, Please give me the template for download on your website. Leave a space to enable printing. I will insert name and number that matches my hidden racetec chip number (to negate the cheat). I will print the number and provide my own safety pins. Those unable to print themselves will have to queue at the stadium. Sorry. I will tick the box where you ask if I am participating, should you need to know. If I feel like picking up the racepack I will do so...or not.

It gets worse on Race Day. Einstein in 2G (2015) decides to stop deadstill on a fast downhill, on the very righthand side of the road which is meant for the faster blokes to overtake. There he proceeded to enjoy a GU sachet of personal taste. A high speed collision resulted which I can still see in my minds eye. Visions of a summersault, bike in hand, onto a tarred pavement, tends to stick in ones mind. The bloke broke a hip and destroyed a very expensive bike. Einstein seemed to be mostly unaffected with serious injury.

So glad I can ride with the others on the 11th of March.

Narrghh...not worried about any of that....Demonstrations, wind, roadworks, earthquakes, falling rocks and cheap see-through bibs... you name it. All of little concern this year. I will ride around and through adversity. Infact, I want to write my race report right now... "All was good, and you guessed right, I was the heavy breather in 2D".

Could anyone from Durban, flying to CT on Mango, part with info on bike transport arrangements, please. In the past we had to take the bike to KING SHAKA Cargo Terminal a few days before. Bidvest used to fly the bikes down a few days before and back a few days after the race. I haven't heard a thing yet. No email yet and also no special notice on the website either. The lady at Mango Customer Service says there might be an alternative arrangement this year, but cannot say for sure. Nor can she say when an announcement will be made. Input will be mostly welcomed. Thanks.

Hell no. Then rather along the R44 from Gordons to Kleinmond and back via some other way. Must have scenery. Stellies to Wellies to Stellies is as monotonous as white rice. And Klapmuts is not exactly on the same par as Suikerbossie when it comes to a braai/breakfast next to the road by some well lubricated Clever Chirp who tunes you "Hey boet, careful ek sê, this hill goes UP!".

First lot of comments on FB already shoot from the hip. This could get very violent given people's reaction to all things ......I demand..... and I was there..... and my money.... and preferential treatment ...and... (Its like a live sequel).

If you were a betting person. These are the odds for the Outright winner. Riveting race awaits. Sagan, Peter3.65Gaviria, Fernando4.00Kristoff, Alexander10.50Demare, Arnoud10.50Degenkolb, John10.75Bouhanni, Nacer13.25Cavendish, Mark15.00Matthews, Michael15.25Colbrelli, Sonny19.00Van Avermaet, Greg20.00Ewan, Caleb23.00Alaphilippe, Julian28.00Swift, Ben31.00Greipel, Andre33.00

My sentiments exactly. I need a guaranteed start at any race that I entered. CTCancelledTours can not do so. I've said it before. My trust in the Brand is gone, given two misses and one hit over the last three events at CTCT. Adverse conditions I understand. Politics, I don't. It is a sport with k@k rules. I'd much rather settle for a trek to Carnival one weekend and Tour Durban (home) the next. Keep the goodie bag. I have enough bottles and sunscreen. I need to ride and enjoy the value of my entry fee, and my effort to get me and the missus there cost me money as well. I will even shut up if I am not entirely happy with you channeling my entry fee to your charity of choice and not mine. Your race, your call. Just let me ride and I'm happy. I will never be held to ransom by a lottery to enter, let alone a lottery of getting a start once I'm there. No other race that I have participated in has ever done this to me. Like my neighbour says. I've stopped playing Lotto because I can no longer afford to lose Four Million every weekend.

Irrespective of the conditions, politics, events on the day and decisions taken.. I have lost trust in the Brand. 150 km's ridden for R1500 entry fee over 3 events....not very Ayoba and that is the least of my gripe. I agree, sh%te happens, but two misses and one hit over 3 years... bad investment. It's a lottery to enter and and even bigger lottery whether you will ride or not, given the last 3 outings. Keep the money. I am not a lesser mortal for not doing the event in future. I am not keen to arrive on a whim hoping to get a start nor a half-loaf 47km time trial event. A Cancellation is outright K@K. Nah, the trust is no more. Too much water gone under the bridge. Still, it was a good decision to stop the event yesterday. Disappointing, but the right one.

Up Suikerbossie there are 'Angels' who give any struggler a push up the hill. In return the "angel' will ask for sweets. I suggest you give the young boy some sweets. If you don't he will swipe (steal) them from your pocket and run back downhill like hell. Off course it is a big laugh, but ... you have been warned. Happened to me on my very first Argus and I am still laughing about it. Also, on the same Suikerbossie, chances are you will come across some 'well lubricated' folk having a braai on the side of the road. Be nice and have a sip. It will get you up and over with gusto. Best advise overall.... The aim of the exercise is to enjoy the day. We never know if we will have the same privilege again next year. Good luck. Bring your sense of humour along. you will need it.