The "Argus" factor ?

[3wings]

One of the reasons I like riding with Francois Pienaar and the gang is that back in 1995 nobody really thought they could beat The All Blacks.

 

The late Madiba did and in so doing he infused the Springboks with a will to win that defied all expectations - and the 'home-team advantage' at Ellis Park did the rest.

 

A few years ago, after my heart attack, I could have given up, hung up my trainers, got fat and waited for an early grave.

 

But I'm not a quitter - I have two teenage daughters who depend on me, so I fought back - against the odds some might say - and am now competing in events that many, many people of my age would never dream of taking on.

 

I could, if I wanted to, talk myself into defeat on this one - but that just isn't gonna happen.

 

So I'll just have to play the cards I'm dealt with on Argus day - and with a little positive help and advice from my fellow hubbers out there, who knows, maybe I'll be raving about a 3hr 58,min PB on Monday, March 10th ???

Edited February 25, 2014 by 3wings

[garthdv]

Also doing the Argus this year after having last cycled competitively about 14 years ago. So managed to do the 94.7 last year after training for 3 days ( bad idea I know) but managed to pull off a 4:35 and then the Serengeti Classic a few weeks back and pulled off a 3:24.

 

After watching youtube clips, I can understand what 3Wings means by having the "Argus Factor" assisting, as the crowds seem amazing.

 

Tick Tock.....I cant wait and can only hope that I have put in enough training and don't cramp up!

 

Best of luck to all partaking in the cycle tour and hope you all achieve your personal bests this year.

[Stevief]

One of the reasons I like riding with Francois Pienaar and the gang is that back in 1995 nobody really thought they could beat The All Blacks.

 

The late Madiba did and in so doing he infused the Springboks with a will to win that defied all expectations - and the 'home-team advantage' at Ellis Park did the rest.

 

A few years ago, after my heart attack, I could have given up, hung up my trainers, got fat and waited for an early grave.

 

But I'm not a quitter - I have two teenage daughters who depend on me, so I fought back - against the odds some might say - and am now competing in events that many, many people of my age would never dream of taking on.

 

I could, if I wanted to, talk myself into defeat on this one - but that just isn't gonna happen.

 

So I'll just have to play the cards I'm dealt with on Argus day - and with a little positive help and advice from my fellow hubbers out there, who knows, maybe I'll be raving about a 3hr 58,min PB on Monday, March 10th ???

Dude from listening to your story , i would suggest the following. Line up on race day and just enjoy the fact that you out there with your bike about to cycle around the best route on earth . Your time is irrelevant, enjoy the moment live the experience. Nobody cares if you do a sub 3 ,4 ,5, 6 ,, it all boils down to the experience YOU had. Think how lucky you are (we all are) that we have our health to ride , this whole time thing around teh Argus really spoils the race for most people and they dont realise it. The Argus is such a special event ones time should be the least of our concerns.

[DJR]

I do believe there is a "race day factor" that can help you, but I think it is relatively small compared to the "proper preparation factor" and the "conditions on the day factor".

 

If you want to ride the Argus with a specific time goal in mind, then the best tool to help you on the day is to get a split time calculator and to work out where you have to be by what time in order to finish in your aimed time. That way you'll know whether you are on track when you pass prominent points like Wineberg Hill, Jubilee Square, Smitswinkels, Chappies top etc.

[3wings]

Dude from listening to your story , i would suggest the following. Line up on race day and just enjoy the fact that you out there with your bike about to cycle around the best route on earth . Your time is irrelevant, enjoy the moment live the experience. Nobody cares if you do a sub 3 ,4 ,5, 6 ,, it all boils down to the experience YOU had. Think how lucky you are (we all are) that we have our health to ride , this whole time thing around teh Argus really spoils the race for most people and they dont realise it. The Argus is such a special event ones time should be the least of our concerns.

 

In many ways you're right - and that is exactly what I did for the first few Argus's I rode.

Problem is that I'm competitive by nature - its in my DNA and I can't change it.

If I hadn't set myself challenges in the past, I know that I wouldn't be where I am today.

Last year I set a target - aced it AND enjoyed every single minute of the ride.

This year I'm setting myself a new target - and I promise that it will be the last one.

In fact it will probably be the last Argus I ever ride....but that's another story.

[Blackbeard]

In many ways you're right - and that is exactly what I did for the first few Argus's I rode.

Problem is that I'm competitive by nature - its in my DNA and I can't change it.

If I hadn't set myself challenges in the past, I know that I wouldn't be where I am today.

Last year I set a target - aced it AND enjoyed every single minute of the ride.

This year I'm setting myself a new target - and I promise that it will be the last one.

In fact it will probably be the last Argus I ever ride....but that's another story.

 

Then I hope you (we) have good weather and a light wind at your back.

[bj horn]

I do believe there is a "race day factor" that can help you, but I think it is relatively small compared to the "proper preparation factor" and the "conditions on the day factor".

 

If you want to ride the Argus with a specific time goal in mind, then the best tool to help you on the day is to get a split time calculator and to work out where you have to be by what time in order to finish in your aimed time. That way you'll know whether you are on track when you pass prominent points like Wineberg Hill, Jubilee Square, Smitswinkels, Chappies top etc.

I agree with getting splits .It worked for me last year

Muizenberg station (25km mark) in 1 hr,Cape point (50km mark)in 2hrs, Noordhoek Garden emporium (75km mark) in 3hrs and after that, what ever it takes. And still remember to enjoy the view of the Fairest Cape in the World

[Skubarra]

I ride with "The Mad Bunch" - think we're looking at a 09.04

 

Competed in every local race since Die Burger as well as long training rides to get in that all-important saddle time.

 

It's not impossible to ride a Sub 4 from the back groups but's its unlikely unless you're one of the strongest riders in your starting chute. There's not gonna be any groups that's going to pull you to a Sub 4, it's going to be a TT mostly (while dodging hordes of slower riders).

 

Since you have done a number of races & long training rides you would know if you could average about 27km/h over 100km. If you can you are in with a shout, if you can't unfortunately no "Argus"-factors or clever tips are going to get you there.

 

Good luck & enjoy!

[W@nna-BE]

the argus factor better help me out, very last minute decision to go down...... so the training is not there....

[3wings]

 

 

Since you have done a number of races & long training rides you would know if you could average about 27km/h over 100km. If you can you are in with a shout....

 

Yes, I have averaged over 27km/hr, so what I'm aiming for is within my capabilities.

Its just that my last 3 races have been disappointing - the Medallion most of all - but I've learned a great deal from each of them.

As I've learned a lot from the kind advice freely offered on this thread.

 

The Split Time Calculator is a very useful tool and it has shown me the key stretches where working efficiently in the bunch is going to seriously pay off - so thanks for that DJR.

 

If I don't allow the climbs to get the better of me and ride smart on the day then yes, I'm in with a shout.

 

I believe that each of us has the ability to reach deep inside ourselves at times and pull off something extraordinary - its what motivates us to make that effort -and the encouragement we receive from perfect strangers along the way - that eventually decides whether we succeed or not.

[Oufy MTB (Roadie)]

well done on sheer determination after that surgery, my best times were 3:29 and the best advice I can give is get to Wynberg Hill intact. After that chase your goal. If you blow it trying to make your split time to wynberg hill you might be in for a long ride. guys going for sub 3's don't have that luxury they have to hit their splits from the first checkpoint. if you still strong on Wynberg Hill you can use those flats to make up time, but if you in your chops you will be using the downhill and flat for recovery which is a waste.

[DJR]

About riding with a specific time goal in mind:

 

I like it, I've done it, trained for it, did it to within a minute, but I have also missed it badly by more than 30 minutes. My no. 1 goal is always to have a great ride. So, I train and plan but on the morning of the race I make the final call whether to race it, survive it, ride it or just enjoy the day. That depends on mainly the wind and the heat. There is no point in chasing an impossible time into the face of a howling southeaster. Then I simply decide to make it a "survival day" and my whole focus changes. If conditions are good, I'll go for it. It doesn't bother me to change the goal at the last minute, because each approach has its' own rewards. That horrible windy Argus was one of my proudest, although my slowest. My fastest is really just a number as it was almost too easy. My very best ones were when I rode domestique for my father, and later for my sons.

 

I guess what I'm trying to say is that you should stay somewhat flexible.

[3wings]

About riding with a specific time goal in mind:

 

I like it, I've done it, trained for it, did it to within a minute, but I have also missed it badly by more than 30 minutes.

 

I guess what I'm trying to say is that you should stay somewhat flexible.

 

Sorry DJR - and with respect - that's almost like a schoolmaster telling the kids that its the competing that matters not the winning.

I didn't believe that when I was at school and I certainly don't believe it now.

As Tiger Woods said: "second sucks".

 

When I rocked up for my very first Argus - the windy one in 2009 - I met with guys in 'Barlowworld' lycra who said 'no way' and were heading back to their cars.

They had their reasons - living to fight another day perhaps - but I figured that those of us who decided to take part would all be in the same boat - and so I did it.

On Sunday March 9th I will focus on one thing and one thing only - a sub-four.

If the SE wind howls I shall endure the Blue Route and think only about the wind on my back from the top of Smitswinkel.

When I had my bypass surgery I focused on getting well again - even WALKING (no wheelchair for me) out of the Netcare hospital in Kuilsrivier 96 hours after a surgeon had wired my sternum back together.

 

Since that time I've set myself goals - like stepping stones - and my life progresses - and improves - as I step from one to another.

 

The 2014 Argus is one such goal and come rain. wind or shine I'll do my damndest to get round in 240 minutes or less......only time will tell if I succeed or not.

[Skubarra]

Sorry DJR - and with respect - that's almost like a schoolmaster telling the kids that its the competing that matters not the winning.

I didn't believe that when I was at school and I certainly don't believe it now.

As Tiger Woods said: "second sucks".

 

The 2014 Argus is one such goal and come rain. wind or shine I'll do my damndest to get round in 240 minutes or less......only time will tell if I succeed or not.

 

I think part of the point DJR is trying to make is that on the day that Sub 4 might be out of your hands, if you don't make it because of weather conditions, crowds slowing you down, punctures etc are you going to see your Argus as a failure or enjoy it for what it is?

 

From what I've gathered from your posts on here you have an outside chance of riding a sub 4 but pretty much need all the stars to align on the day. Even if you don't make your goal a good ride can set you up with a better seeding next year and a better chance of a sub 4 in 2015.

 

Again, good luck and let us know how it went!

[3wings]

. Even if you don't make your goal a good ride can set you up with a better seeding next year and a better chance of a sub 4 in 2015.

 

Again, good luck and let us know how it went!

 

From an earlier post...."This year I'm setting myself a new target - and I promise that it will be the last one.

In fact it will probably be the last Argus I ever ride....but that's another story."

 

Thanks for your kind good wishes and yes I'll let you know how it went....

[DJR]

Sorry DJR - and with respect - ................

 

Absolutely no offense taken my side.

 

I think you have more than a fair chance to do a sub 4 hour ride, simply from your training rides the past few months and your average speeds. Go for it with all you have, That way you will have no regrets.

 

Other advice is to try get a smallish group of guys with a similar goal together to work together. It you can work that out beforehand, so much better, because looking for a good bunch in the later groups can be difficult. Otherwise I would simply jump every likely looking bunch and wheelsuck until they either go too fast for you or you feel strong enough to leave them and jump to the next group up the road. Climb as fast as you dare, easy pedal on the downhills and ride at a just sustainable effort on the flats. That will speed you up a lot. If the wind blows, you simply have to find a group that rotate and work together to share the effort if you want to get there quickly. Those huge groups where everyone sit and wheelsuck while 1 or 2 brave souls brave the gale, go very slowly.