Musashi

Hey, you caught us again on camera this year! I bet there aren't many 11 year olds with 2 CTCT's done.

At the moment the forecast is no rain, but a pumping southeaster. In other words a regular summer day in Cape Town.

I've "raced" it many times but three years ago did it for the first time on a tandem with my then 72 year old father-in-law. We decided beforehand we're not going to race but not going to faf around either. Enjoy the views, chat a bit and pull a few people from the top of Suikerbossie home. It was great fun, so much so we did it again two years ago. Then last year my son was old enough to take his place on the tandem and this year will be his second Argus. We have a nice 07:03 start so the riders are quite sensible but not aggressively serious. It really is nice to look up and enjoy the experience.

The plot thickens. Due to foot and mouth disease, they're adjusting the route a bit. No one knows what we're in for...

They are quite good at sharing info closer to the time with those that have entered. They share the route file and usually do a zoom call where they discuss the route in more detail and share other useful info. Entrants also get added to the Whatsapp group where everyone asks and shares info. You'll have a good idea what to expect come race day. Time on the bike through the Karoo/ Free State is always good!

They're not the best at keeping the website updated. I have this from December.

I'm also considering this one. The route is apparently about 410km so hopefully I won't be too knackered the Sunday to drive home.

I'm glad my son and I dropped back to a 06:30 start. The main hurdle with a tandem is you end up doing extreme interval training. It's quite efficient on the flats and downhill, but every climb requires max effort just to keep up. We did loose the groups a few times but still ended up 14 minutes faster than last year. Maybe next year we'll break 3 hours. What was interesting, a few riders in bunch F, G and H did not know how to hold a line but I stayed clear behind them as they drift left and right. We didn't have any incidents. And it was only now and again that someone crossed the lane to overtake and generally the riders kept on this side of the road. I think most riders in these bunches are a bit less serious about their time and more serious about their safety. What really surprised me was how patient many drivers were. For some long stretches they had to sit behind the bunch and wait until it's safe to overtake, and no one seems overly irritated. Maybe it was a different story inside the vehicle. A big thanks to them. If I HAD to critique, the only minor thing to improve would be the generators close to the food stalls. The noise made it nearly impossible to hear the announcements and vibe. I almost missed it when they called our number for the lucky draw. I don't know how you pulled it off, but you even managed to organize perfect weather! Well done, excellent event!

# (tandems) start at 06:05

Which group will do the 94km in about 3 hours and when do they start?

We started in that group last year, got dropped after 500m and only managed to hang on to a group (I think G) for the last 15km. We did a 3:48 Argus so I’m hoping someone at a similar pace can indicate where they were seeded, otherwise we’re going to drop back to F or G.

I did that last year. It didn't work.

Me and my son are (correctly) seeded with the tandems at 06:05 but there’s no way we’re going to stick with those fast groups so we want to drop back to a group more our pace. Anyone with a 3:45 to 04:00 Argus pace, where are you seeded for the 99er?

The tandem fits inside my wife's Kia Sedona without having to take a wheel of.

It take some guts to apologise, especially on an anonymous forum where it's easy to "disappear". You have my respect.

I must admit, I was at first stumped by all the riders pulled off next to the road in the final km. And then realised they're all ebikers waiting out their time.

Christine, your total disrespect for the rules and the reason for them goes against the spirit of road racing/riding. It shows a complete lack of respect for other road cyclists and the sport as a whole. Taking a self-justifying attitude is not helping.

I support the use of ebikes as it allows riders who otherwise won't be able to complete it, to ride and enjoy it. But do it in terms of the rules, take it easy and make a day of it. To go race it is pointless. Maybe I should just enter with my 800GS and claim a sub-1 hour? Ag nee man.

My son had pretty much the perfect first CTCT. We were seeded in 2C but I decided to drop to 2F as they're probably more our pace. We took it fairly easy at the start and he knows his job is to help on the climbs - I'll do the rest. And then of course enjoy the spectacular scenery. His young age (he's 10) drew a lot of attention and he felt obliged to wave at everyone that showed some support. He was waving more than the queen. Some sections of the route seriously needs a resurface but we kept a good pace while enjoying every moment. Chappies we grinded it out at a solid pace. When I told him on Suikerbossie it's the final climb, he really started to put down some power and I had to go right to start passing people. And then on the last 15km run to the line people starting jumping on the back - I was wondering whether they realise they're being towed by a 10 year old :). I was betting on a sub-5 with a 4:30 possible. I did not expect the 3:48 we did. Daniel is very chuffed having beaten the time I did with Oupa (then 72) on the tandem last year by 2 minutes. And of course I'm super proud of him, not complaining once and just enjoying every moment. Now to find out whether he was the youngest finisher on the 109km route... Thanks @ChrisF for the photo.

Starting in the tandem group was quite a challenge. We’re probably a G group pace and it took a long time to find a bunch and hang with them. But we had a good day. A close call with the E group crash on the way back from Malmesbury but fortunately unscathed. A huge congrats to the organisers. It was superbly run and the effort does not go unnoticed. And I’m super impressed with my boy who I’m pretty sure was the youngest (10 years old) finisher of the 95km route today. He didn’t complain once and even insisted on riding the hilly 8km home instead of catching a lift with mom. I think we’ll be ok for the CTCT.

E. Tandem (#). Riding the 99er with my son in preparation for the CTCT. I'll keep to the left to let the racing bunches coming up behind us pass.

Due to work circumstances, my brother-in-law won't be able to come to SA this year and our 2-person entry for the 12 August TransBaviaans is for sale. I'm open to offers. Niel 082 437 8000

I did MANY events years ago (before children), took a long break from them and then did the TransAugrabies two years ago. The whole family joined the trip (it's actually an easy drive from Cape Town, nice open roads). I can honestly say that this one is the most memorable. The vibe is just different and the scenery something else. There's something special about cycling across the Orange river with a fish eagle calling in the background. Make no mistake, it's not an easy, flat and fast route. I took it easy and enjoyed the experience. And man, what an experience. And camping at Augrabies is always worth it.

There is a nice, but short bit of jeep track from the air field to Melkhoutfontein. One can then also ride up next to the river, across the low water bridge and then back across the river further north, before heading back along the rolling hills next to the river. I'll be there the same time.

Makes sense. The Crest is designed for lighter riders. The Arch rims are for heavier riders.