The "Argus" factor ?

[Bianchisti]

Is the wind such a big thing? Presumably it will be at your back half the time so you make up time lost when I was in your face? No?

[GaryvdM]

Is the wind such a big thing? Presumably it will be at your back half the time so you make up time lost when I was in your face? No?

 

On an out and back ride (which the Argus basically is), a cross wind minimize the effectiveness of drafting.

 

Also, I think the mountains shelter the south easter. So you will have a head wind on the way out, and then you are sheltered from the tail wind on the way back. (Can any Capetonian confirm/deny this?)

[lone one]

Okay, so here's the deal.

This will be my 6th consecutive Argus and I'm trying to break four hours.

My 'baptism' was the 2009 windy wonderland and I made it to the finish.

Perhaps I should point out that a couple years earlier I had open heart surgery and although I'd been a keen road runner in the past, wasn't expected to compete competitively ever again.

So I had to abandon running and took up cycling - and I love it !

Along the way I dropped a few kgs and now tip the scales at 80 which, being 1.86m tall, is about average.

I've been training hard since early summer, thrashing a WattBike at my local biokenticists for 75 minutes twice a week, hill training here in Somerset West where I live, lifting weights, rowing and following a healthy low-carb, protein rich diet.

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

About the only thing missing is a winning strategy...... hence my quest for the magic 'Argus factor'....

 

I am a relative novice, so please bear with me, but the way I see it is this:

 

The Argus breaks down into basically three components.

1) Uphill sections/bumps/serious climbs; say total 28kms.

2) Downhill sections/fast descents; say total 11kms.

3) Relatively smooth long stretches; say total 70kms

 

Although approximations, if I average 15km/hr, 45km/hr and 35 km/hr respectively I end up with about 4hrs and 5 minutes - now that's not far off my target but still not good enough.

 

Come on guys, please help me out here, how can I plan/strategize better to achieve my goal ?

What group you in?

[TALUS]

I don't think you make up as much with the wind behind as you lose with the wind in your face. Also crosswind is bad for all.

[DJR]

Btw the wind is another one of those "enemies" you have to face, both mentally and physically.

 

With a galeforce Southeaster, you have a headwind that will slow you down for the first 50 kms until exactly 200m from the top of Smitswinkels. Then it helps you up for a short bit (enjoy it while it lasts). Then you have a tailwind for about 20kms from Cape point to Soetwater. It doesn't help you all that much because it is a fast downhill or flat area where you cannot make up much time. Then from Oceanview to Sun Valley it is a nasty headwind again, slightly from the right. From there to Noordhoek is only 5km downwind where it helps. Going up Chappies is so sheltered that you get no help from the Southeaster. Down from Chappies to Hout Bay it is a seriously hazardous gusty crosswind that slows you down big time. Up Suikerbossie it is sheltered and you get no help. From the top of Suikerbossie to the finish it is mostly a unpredictable gusty crosswind that on occasion cause riders to stop and walk rather that to get blown off the road and over the edge (really).

[Sepia]

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!

As the man said. Many factors out of your control.

[3wings]

What group you in?

 

I have always ridden with "The Mad Bunch" - a charity group founded by Francois Pienaar, who have a start time of 09.04 this year.

But have just discovered that I can start earlier so will be off at 08.22 with group RR.

 

Just hoping that I can use those extra 42 minutes to some positive advantage....

[3wings]

Btw the wind is another one of those "enemies" you have to face, both mentally and physically.

 

With a galeforce Southeaster, you have a headwind that will slow you down for the first 50 kms until exactly 200m from the top of Smitswinkels. Then it helps you up for a short bit (enjoy it while it lasts). Then you have a tailwind for about 20kms from Cape point to Soetwater. It doesn't help you all that much because it is a fast downhill or flat area where you cannot make up much time. Then from Oceanview to Sun Valley it is a nasty headwind again, slightly from the right. From there to Noordhoek is only 5km downwind where it helps. Going up Chappies is so sheltered that you get no help from the Southeaster. Down from Chappies to Hout Bay it is a seriously hazardous gusty crosswind that slows you down big time. Up Suikerbossie it is sheltered and you get no help. From the top of Suikerbossie to the finish it is mostly a unpredictable gusty crosswind that on occasion cause riders to stop and walk rather that to get blown off the road and over the edge (really).

 

Man, this thread is getting SERIOUSLY depressing......

[lone one]

I have always ridden with "The Mad Bunch" - a charity group founded by Francois Pienaar, who have a start time of 09.04 this year.

But have just discovered that I can start earlier so will be off at 08.22 with group RR.

 

Just hoping that I can use those extra 42 minutes to some positive advantage....

Going out earlier will help hopefully there will be more structure and you can form some sort of a group.

Unfortunately many factors are outside of your control, As long as you have done your training and prepared for the day you will be fine.Have you done a 100 km ride solo in your preparations? if so what time did you do it in?

Even if you cant form a solid group for the majority of the ride jump on any group that passes, if they drop you that's fine catch the next one.

With you having done the race a few time, you are familiar where along the route you many need assistance (extra power) pace yourself to those hurdles make sure you smash them there after compose yourself and carry one.

[DJR]

I have always ridden with "The Mad Bunch" - a charity group founded by Francois Pienaar, who have a start time of 09.04 this year.

But have just discovered that I can start earlier so will be off at 08.22 with group RR.

 

Just hoping that I can use those extra 42 minutes to some positive advantage....

 

Amazing coincidence that - I'm riding with my 2 boys and they both have RR, 08h22 seeding - so I'll be there with you! My main aim this year is to shepherd my youngest (13) through the melee unscathed. That means I'll be leading him into the wind and riding the crazies off his wheel wherever I can. He would like to finish in 4.45 so you don't want our help.

 

Man, this thread is getting SERIOUSLY depressing......

 

Noooooo! It wasn't meant to cause grief! It was meant to help you getting the strategy right from the start. That means finding a group to work together. Even a smallish group of 5 guys that all pitch in will up your average speed a lot. Sitting in a big group where nobody rotates will help you rest but you won't be going nearly as fast as you could go.

Edited March 2, 2014 by DJR

[3wings]

Amazing coincidence that - I'm riding with my 2 boys and they both have DD, 08h22 seeding - so I'll be there with you! My main aim this year is to shepherd my youngest (13) through the melee unscathed. That means I'll be leading him into the wind and riding the crazies off his wheel wherever I can. He would like to finish in 4.45 so you don't want our help.

 

 

 

Noooooo! It wasn't meant to cause grief! It was meant to help you getting the strategy right from the start. That means finding a group to work together. Even a smallish group of 5 guys that all pitch in will up your average speed a lot. Sitting in a big group where nobody rotates will help you rest but you won't be going nearly as fast as you could go.

 

Okay, so here's a call out : Anyone in RR wanting to do a sub-four please raise their right hand

 

 

PS: For the avoidance of doubt - I'm the stupid one !

Edited March 2, 2014 by 3wings

[TALUS]

Since there is a slightly philisophical feel to this thread. I think I got my "payback/ feelgood" moment a week early.

It has been a while since I was so focused on a single event. Costs involved, time invested etc. started to make me a bit anxious about what should be a routine distance and meters climbed race.

Our cycling club presented a race yesterday. We all had to work and help out. It was hard not to ride for the day and also to watch others go so well.

The club arranged that we could ride the route today. Last night I ended up drinking way too much red wine and got to bed late. After 3.5 h sleep and with a mother of a headache I woke up to the sound of hard rain.

After much soulsearching I decided to go. At least 40 people pitched up in the rain! We set off and eventually had a nice strong working group of 5 going. After about 60k it happened...

I was taking my turn in front when the picture became clear - 5 older guys working a steady 35+ km/h pace into a driving rain. It was misty and cold. There was spray from the wheel in front into your face and pools of water to dodge. I remembered Dale's pic of the guys in the Classics yesterday and decided to see what HTFU really feels like. I accelerated as the next guy wanted to roll over and told him I want to see how long I could hang on. I sat there imagining I am Jens or Sparticus and just hammered into the rain. The point is that because of my preperation for the Argus I did a mother of a pull for 15km up two steep drags right up to the end. It was a FANTASTIC feeling riding all but one rider off my wheel.

I already have my Argus highlight!!!!

Edited March 2, 2014 by TALUS

[Bianchisti]

 

Also, I think the mountains shelter the south easter. So you will have a head wind on the way out, and then you are sheltered from the tail wind on the way back. (Can any Capetonian confirm/deny this?)

 

So "that cricket commentator" was right? Cape Town might have been a nice place had it not been for the big ugly mountain spoiling the view and foooking things up????

[Cellar]

Is the wind such a big thing? Presumably it will be at your back half the time so you make up time lost when I was in your face? No?

 

Of course, this being Cape Town, sometimes the wind comes straight down onto you.

[LongDonkey]

I accelerated as the next guy wanted to roll over and told him I want to see how long I could hang on. I sat there imagining I am Jens or Sparticus and just hammered into the rain. The point is that because of my preperation for the Argus I did a mother of a pull for 15km up two steep drags right up to the end. It was a FANTASTIC feeling riding all but one rider off my wheel.

I already have my Argus highlight!!!!

Wanna drop to F batch and tow a few pathetic wannabe's along?

[TALUS]

 

Wanna drop to F batch and tow a few pathetic wannabe's along?

I am hoping to be a towee myself...