How do I benchmark the Double Century

[eddy]

I have been invited to join a team this year but have no idea how strong the other guys are. I know that it is always weather/wind dependent and the relevant strength of you team, but how do I benchmark it ?

 

As most people know the Argus, what is the DC equivalent of “a sub-3 Argust” ? Six hours ? Seven hours ?

[MTB_Roadie]

We had an average team and we did a 6:18 and the weather sucked. We were consisting of 4 elites and the rest was D-F riders...however if everyone in a team is strong you will be able to do a very good time, but also constantly changing between riders in the front will help keep the pace high.

[Lucky Luke.]

Hard to say as the DC is twice as long, so you need a level of base / endurance that is a bit harder to establish than what you need for Funride WC. But if I had to hazard an estimate, I would say good conditions, sub-6.20 DC would probably be roughly equivalent to the level needed for Sub 3 Argus. Sub 6 DC, you would need to be someone who can do sub 2.50 maybe..

 

.. it's a bit apples and oranges though :/

[IMan777]

We have had a team with the best Argus time = 2.48 and the slowest 3.15 and we only managed a 7:40 DC...most guys are fine with 110 Kms but it all changes at +160Kms. Like MTB-Roadie said: Sharing the work upfront makes a huge difference and doing those longer hilly training rides...

[GoLefty!!]

hard to benchmark DC against Argus time since the DC at the start of the season and the Argus is at the end of the season.

Just wing it and have fun. If you've never ridden DC don;t worry too much about the level of the other riders and just go and have fun.

[Lucky Luke.]

.. it's pretty important to know what level everybody's at - especially who the weaker riders are - and roughly what time / position the team is going for, what the strategy will be, and who is in charge - only one guy should wear that hat, and they should be ready and willing to call the shots whenever necessary have fun and watch out for the handbags!

['Dale]

The fact that its a team event over 200 kms makes it incomparable to the Aurgust.

 

Variables like endurance, nutrition, team dynamics and so on makes it tricky to compare.

Edited July 29, 2013 by ' Dale

[Velouria]

And just to make things worse - the new DC route with a half way timeout changes things completely. It's a godsend for everybody as it allows teams to regroup. It's now like doing two laps of the Argus with a nice cold coke in between.

 

Last year 206 teams started, 13 went under 6 hours, 54 did between 6 and 7 hours, and 29 snuck in under 10 hours (3 didn't make it).

 

I'd say an Argus sub 3 here is the same as a sub 7 DC in terms of the level. That's not to say that a guy who gets a sub 3 at the Argus will get a sub 7hr DC. This is a race for the diesel engines - the guys that get abused week in and week out up the climbs around the peninsula

[riaanb]

IMHO Sub 3 Argus = +- Sub 6h30 DC.

[eddy]

Hard to say as the DC is twice as long, so you need a level of base / endurance that is a bit harder to establish than what you need for Funride WC

 

The fact that its a team event over 200 kms makes it incomparable to the Aurgust.

 

Variables like endurance, nutrition, team dynamics and so on makes it tricky to compare.

 

I get that, but my partners are in the Cape and I am in the Jo'burg with the only event in common the regular Argus dash, hence my choice of benchmark.

 

It seems that a better benchmark would be something like Karoo to Coast or day 2 of Sani then.

 

 

 

 

Last year 206 teams started, 13 went under 6 hours, 54 did between 6 and 7 hours, and 29 snuck in under 10 hours (3 didn't make it).

 

 

Thanks, that is very useful, and if I remember correctly the weather was foul. Did it have much impact on the times ?

 

 

This is a race for the diesel engines - the guys that get abused week in and week out up the climbs around the peninsula

 

:clap: :clap:

 

I have the diesel engine, unfortunately I also have the truck chassis.......

[DJR]

I have the diesel engine, unfortunately I also have the truck chassis.......

 

 

I have a diesel engine as well, but it is now getting to be a bit high mileage.......hope the years of loving abuse will keep it running.

[Singletrack Samurai]

Gentlemen, I am posting out of desperation onto any forum that includes the words Double Century, I am looking to buy 2 teams entries and as compensation would stick the cost for riders absorbed into our team...

Thanks!

[orbeaorca]

I have a team entry on my name that I have untill tomorrow to pay which i dont need since my mate paid for one already. If anyone wants it

[Singletrack Samurai]

I have a team entry on my name that I have untill tomorrow to pay which i dont need since my mate paid for one already. If anyone wants it

Please...send me details - arthur@honingcraft.co.za...I will take it!