Cape Town Cycle Tour (The Argus) 2015

[walkerr]

when is one supposed to avoid hill training ?

 

On a Friday when the beers are open.

 

There may be other valid times, I'm not sure

['Dale]

Don't crash over the side of Chapmans Peak... I've tried it and its totally over rated.

Hehehe

[Josias]

Hehe thanks for advice, is 450m on 40km hill training?

[LongDonkey]

Don't crash over the side of Chapmans Peak... I've tried it and its totally over rated.

Hill Training: 

You are doing it wrong

http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/02915/DO_NOT_USE_THIS_PI_2915907c.jpg

[Belgian biker]

This is going to be my first Argus, whats the do's and dont's?

 

mine too! My aim is mainly to reach the finish line alive

And I'm coming over from Europe so I have to do my training now in dark and cold days. although we've been fortunate so far with mild temperatures

[Belgian biker]

another question from a 1st timer: what do you take along with you on the day itself?
 

- drinks

- energy bars

- sunscreen

- camera to take pictures! (yeah, I'm going for the fun and scenery, not a sub-3)

- ...?

 

My husband is not riding along. Can he enter the hospitality area at the finish and wait for me there? Is that hospitality area any fun?

[DJR]

another question from a 1st timer: what do you take along with you on the day itself?

 

- drinks - yes,  but don't carry too much, you can fill up at numerous water points along the way

- energy bars - yes,

- sunscreen -definitely, put on beforehand, perhaps take a lip stick to re apply if you are going to take long

- camera to take pictures! (yeah, I'm going for the fun and scenery, not a sub-3) - an absolute MUST, and ask people to take pictures of you also

- ...?

Pump, spare tube, tyre levers, multitool, patch kit, just for in case

Cell phone

 

My husband is not riding along. Can he enter the hospitality area at the finish and wait for me there? Is that hospitality area any fun? No, he cannot enter the hospitality tent areas, It is only fun if you are with a group of friends, but there are many nice areas where he can wait for you at the finish.  Hanging there on your own is boring. I would rather wait at the finish. Great area with parks and trees all around. There is also a pavilion for spectators near the finish, but he will battle to see you in the crowd unless you stop and phone him a km or 2 from the finish.

 

Most important is to have FUN

 

[Slowbee]

right, the challenge has been set.

 

    ummmm but how far is it from Hout Bay to the start ?

 

 

[Sven137]

right, the challenge has been set.

 

ummmm but how far is it from Hout Bay to the start ?

About 20 km

[Slowbee]

About 20 km

ok, so no worries cycling to the start from Hout Bay..... other than a little vertical rise in the way.

 

and then of course when I get to the finish, I will have to turn around and go back the other way.... against the flow of traffic

[DJR]

ok, so no worries cycling to the start from Hout Bay..... other than a little vertical rise in the way.

 

and then of course when I get to the finish, I will have to turn around and go back the other way.... against the flow of traffic

No, no. The way to do it is to keep going around until you get home. 

[Loose cog]

another question from a 1st timer: what do you take along with you on the day itself?

 

- drinks

- energy bars

- sunscreen

- camera to take pictures! (yeah, I'm going for the fun and scenery, not a sub-3)

- ...?

 

My husband is not riding along. Can he enter the hospitality area at the finish and wait for me there? Is that hospitality area any fun?

Affirm what DJR said. Both you and your husband are going to have the time of your life. I have waited around for family and friends at the finish and it's a good vibe.

[Slowbee]

No, no. The way to do it is to keep going around until you get home. 

there is dumb and then dumber .... I dont want to get home in the dark

 

besides, a headlight and tail light and batteries will add to much weight.

[Belgian biker]

 

Thanks, fun won't be a problem

 

which parts of the route are usually the most windy? Any parts where you can expect the wind to give you a hand?

 

I have a 2 week holiday now and was hoping for a lot of rides but we had snow and frost and rain, so I trained less then I wanted to. Did a ride this morning - beautiful wintersun, no wind, nice scenery. Did 36km, AVS 23km/h.

I just recently bought my first road bike (2nd hand Ridley!) and stil getting used to it but I enjoy it immensly! I hope for some better weather the next weeks so I can get some longer rides in + some hill training.

The only thing is, a few hours after riding, I get pain in my lower back. Is this a matter of getting used to the bike?

 

 

[Bub Marley]

Thanks, fun won't be a problem

 

which parts of the route are usually the most windy? Any parts where you can expect the wind to give you a hand?

 

I have a 2 week holiday now and was hoping for a lot of rides but we had snow and frost and rain, so I trained less then I wanted to. Did a ride this morning - beautiful wintersun, no wind, nice scenery. Did 36km, AVS 23km/h.

I just recently bought my first road bike (2nd hand Ridley!) and stil getting used to it but I enjoy it immensly! I hope for some better weather the next weeks so I can get some longer rides in + some hill training.

The only thing is, a few hours after riding, I get pain in my lower back. Is this a matter of getting used to the bike?

 

 

Cape Town is known as the Windy City. I would suggest you go into the race with the mindset that you're going to get wind and you'll probably have a headwind for 75% of the race. If the usual south Easter blows, the only time you have a bit of a tail wind is the stretch from the top of Smitswinkel till Noordhoek. Other than that, you're pretty much riding straight into the wind.

 

Someone can correct me if I'm wrong.

[DJR]

We all always hope and pray for a wind free day. Mostly the wind blows in March. It usually starts off light in the early morning and gets stronger until late afternoon. Very occasionally we get a really strong southeaster that just blows like it is straight from hell. That is when you just hide in a bunch and grind along slowly, forget all about any time goals and just concentrate on getting to the finish. Like BM said, the wind always slow you down, no matter where it blows from. The trick is to work together in a bunch, there is no other way. Up front with the faster riders that is easy because they know how to do it. Further back in the field it is more difficult to gather a few comrades to form a team, so you just have to join up with a little bunch and try stick with them. Joining too big a bunch in windy conditions (with the more inexperienced crowd) is also not a good idea as crashes are inevitable. Try stay in the front quarter of the bunch and defend your sheltered position on the downwind side. Don't let them box you in or push you out. Take a turn every now and then to help pull in the front. The few stretches when you do have the wind in your back can also be dangerous because they are very fast and often riders are tired and make dumb mistakes, so be wide awake when flying along at speed.

 

When we do get a wind free day, usually it gets very hot and then you have to concentrate on taking in enough fluids. Stop and fill up at the water points, throw water over yourself and be careful not to dehydrate or overheat. If you start later in the race, you are going to be out there over midday and it will be hot. It is good to know that and get your head around it beforehand, just like with the wind.

 

Very occasionally we get a cool, wind free and cloudy day. No more than maybe once every 7 years, but when it happens, it is cycling heaven. That is when all the local "racers" try to set new personal record times.

 

Rain is very unlikely