2013 Cape Argus Pick n Pay Cycle Tour

[fandacious]

Maybe we can hook up for some rides to Rooi Els. BTW, I am not that fast so I might be a frustrating cycling partner to be with. But I need somebody that would be able to get me off my jack!

 

sure.. i'm heading out to rooi els this morning if you're keen on joining

[dev null]

What time?

[Akon]

What is it with the Rennie's?!

 

Just lay off the Powerade/Energade, get yourself some proper hydration/fuelling solution, and the heartburn will be replaced by muscle-burn!

[Mister B]

Will that mean sub 3:30 is do able for an old goat like me?

[dev null]

fandacious

 

Sorry I missed you for the ride, at least I saw you passing the other way. You look like a real fast guy, so I will have to get a rope and attach it to your seatpost. The wind was not as bad as I thought it would be.

 

Next time...

[ossum]

Could one of you folks who are in the know help me understand whether I need to become a PPA member again.

 

Last year I signed up for my wife and I, because we were riding together and as a first timer with no seeding rides she wanted the slight seeding improvement of being a member.

 

This year I am riding alone and anticipating doing a seeding ride or two beforehand, so do I need to pay PPA for membership?

 

Thanks!

 

By the way, I did try to look here http://www.cycletour.co.za/index.php/information/licensing/ but it made me stand in the queue again and doesn't seem to say anything useful.

[T-Bob]

so no OBD on this edition, I hate that climb for some reason, it's my bitch, but must admit I'm sad it's not going to be there this year. It was a decent challenge and was a real marker as to your time and how you were feeling. For me, it was like that was the hard part over (just mentally) and the rest was all 'downhill' and fun.

 

Should bring the times crashing down and an infux into the sub 3hr club (which I'm hoping for!).

[HDW]

Could one of you folks who are in the know help me understand whether I need to become a PPA member again.

 

Last year I signed up for my wife and I, because we were riding together and as a first timer with no seeding rides she wanted the slight seeding improvement of being a member.

 

This year I am riding alone and anticipating doing a seeding ride or two beforehand, so do I need to pay PPA for membership?

 

Thanks!

 

By the way, I did try to look here http://www.cycletour...tion/licensing/ but it made me stand in the queue again and doesn't seem to say anything useful.

 

So far I know you have to renew your PPA Membership every year around July somewhere. So you subscribe for a year at a time.

 

The seeding: PPA seedings are only valid in PPA events, of which the Argus isn't one. There is some official Argus seeding events (which I'm sure you can find somewhere on the internet), and I think Die Burger road event late November or early December in Stellenbosch is one. Just make sure. But I think that's your last chance (in and around Cape Town) of improving your seeding for the Argus. I might be wrong though, but I'm pretty sure that's it.

 

Just bear in mind that to qualify for a PPA seeding you obviously need to firstly be a member, and secondly have a Racetec chip. Just a membership, or just a chip, wont get you any times/seedings.

 

Hope this helped clear things up a bit

[DJR]

Hi Ossum

 

You don't have to renew your PPA membership if you are sure that you will do well enough in the Burger seeding race in December to qualify for an earlier start than the PPA groups in the Argus.

 

However, if you want to do any of the PPA races around Cape Town in preparation for the Argus, it is well worth renewing your membership. You will then be able to start in your seeded group in stead of right at the back of each race.

 

Personally, I belong to the PPA because, despite the usual criticisms, they really do something positive for me as a cyclist by organizing races, raising awareness, promoting safety and donating money to trailbuilding as well as to charity.

[Akon]

 

Personally, I belong to the PPA because, despite the usual criticisms, they really do something positive for me as a cyclist by organizing races, raising awareness, promoting safety and donating money to trailbuilding as well as to charity.

Yeah, I am kind of in this camp as well --> don't always make it about the money, and saving a buck.

 

They are a non-profit organisation, doing lots of good things for an activity I love, so eventhough I don't get to as many funrides as I like (and my son even less!), we dutifully pay our subs every year...

[ossum]

Thanks DJR and HDW, appreciate it, that clears it up a lot. Sounds like it is worth signing up, even if it doesn't have a direct effect on Argus seeding.

[HDW]

Agree with the guys here - Even if its not all about Argus seedings, its still worth joining and supporting them.

 

With your discounted race rates you start chipping away at that joining fee anyways, and the biggest advantage (as stated above):

at least you get to start your races/fun rides in a seeded group. This is great for obvious reasons. The biggest advantage I've noticed is at the MTB events, where starting in an earlier group often means skipping most of the bottlenecks, etc.

 

All in all, the PPA tries its best, and does do a decent job

['Dale]

Thanks DJR and HDW, appreciate it, that clears it up a lot. Sounds like it is worth signing up, even if it doesn't have a direct effect on Argus seeding.

 

Yeah, true benefits are if you choose to race regularly - road or MTB.