Sub-3hr Argus possible?

[Ollie]

Based on this year's Argus performance + plenty off-season training, would a sub-3hr Argus time be a possibility?  Or would 3h30 be the more realistic endeavour?

 

This year: 4h36, of which 35min were off the bike sorting out two punctures. Mountain bike, cross-trainers. On/off training since October '07.

 

Next year: Road bike, decent cycling shoes. Training from May/June '08 on iDT until weather improves.

 

[mrmed]

Yes, this was my first year / 15 months of cycling and with 10 - 20 hrs / week training I broke 3 hours with no problem. Go to a professional and get a program and you'll do it. Remember, anything is possible.

[Pilks]

Sub 3 hours is easy . It is all about which group you are in. Do the Pedal power rides to better your seeding for the seeding events and then do those and assming you train enough it should be fine. I just broke 3 from D with 5 - 7 hours a week so to me it is more about group placing and riding experience than anything else

 

 

 

My friend rode with me and he hadnt riden in 2 months and managed a 3:00:42 so it is all about seeding. I am sure some of the hubbers wont mind helping you in that regard on non league days

 

 

[Li Mu Bai]

agreed, my first argus this year gave me a 2:55 - it will take some commitment from you to keep fit, and do as many of the seeding races as you can to move yourself up to the best start group possible.

Dont just train on the road though, mountain bike training is a must too, definitely helps you on the road (especially with SA's potholes )

IDT can be boring, but remember its time in the saddle that counts, mix your training up with intervals, and get out as much as possible.

[controlc]

It's possible if you commit to your training.

I've been off the bike for just over five years, then I started training "mildly". I did 5h training MAX a week [and skipped a lot of weeks! :-)] and still managed to do a 4h Burger and then a 3h40 Argus.

My goal is also to do a 3h Argus next year, but like Pilks said, it's all about seeding. I used to do an easy 3h20 while in J group, while I SUFFERED my 3h40 from Y group.

I'll be starting my "serious" training from June. Until then I'm going to do medium rides once a week and a lot of cross training. Good luck!

[FanieFiets]

All about seeding. Remember, PPA rides wont help Argus seeding only Construction (2008) and Die Burger in the end of the year helps for Argus seeding.

 

Then the weather plays an important role. This year 1715  people rode under 3h, 2002 only 315 went under 3h.

 

[Ratty]

Knysna Cycle Tour and other up country races also count for Argus seeding!

 

 

[FanieFiets]

 

Knysna Cycle Tour and other up country races also count for Argus seeding!

 

 

duh, het maar net die in Ollie se omgewing gegee.

[Brakkies Sport Fotos]

Welkom terug Faan, Sien jy het 'n comeback gemaak.

[FanieFiets]

 

Welkom terug Faan' date=' Sien jy het 'n comeback gemaak.[/quote']

 

dankie, het gister ook gaan ry! Sjoe, hierdie is 'n wilde hi-jack. Anyway, geniet julle rus week voor die groot een.

 

[RockCoach]

Based on this year's Argus performance + plenty off-season

training' date=' would a sub-3hr Argus time be a possibility?  Or would 3h30

be the more realistic endeavour?

 

This

year: 4h36, of which 35min were off the bike sorting out two punctures.

Mountain bike, cross-trainers. On/off training since October '07.

 

Next year: Road bike, decent cycling shoes. Training from May/June '08 on iDT until weather improves.

 

[/quote']Depends where you get seeded next year Ollie. Sub 3 is not easy by yourself. I did a 3h30 by myself a few years ago - from PP group over Oukaapseweg. You tend to get traffic throughout the course from that far back.

 

Your 4h36 should at least seed you out of most of the chaos/hot sun/wind that happens as the day wears on. Further seeding improvements could be made over the next 9 months.

[Mark]

Times were fast this year due to weather been perfect. If the weather was like it was in 2003 you will battle.

[Flemish Lion]

That's why I say focus on getting a top 1000 or top 500 or top 100 in the Agrus ... times are useless and depend on start group and weather conditions.

 

To prove a point about start group ... a friend of mine had never ridden a road race before this years Argus ... he had some good Mtbike results and talked his way into the A group and did a 2.43 ... the group drops you off @ Chapmans and if you're fit ... you won't lose that much time to Greenpoint ...

 

So to get a sub 3 ... improve your start group and it's a walk in the park (if weather is ok ...)

[swsup97]

 

All about seeding. Remember' date=' PPA rides wont help Argus seeding only Construction (2008) and Die Burger in the end of the year helps for Argus seeding.

 

Then the weather plays an important role. This year 1715  people rode under 3h, 2002 only 315 went under 3h.

 

[/quote']

 

Updated Stat: 2009 race - now who can forget that - only 125 people made the sub 3hr mark - winning time was 2:46:32 by Arran  brown

 

 

 

[Yang]

Nicely picked up swsup, from over a year ago- in time for the people contemplating a sub 3, wind free Argus in 2010 to start thinking seriously about their prospects and what they can do about it.

[Wobbles]

I did a 4:34 in my first ever race from an O batch in 2001 on a borrowed bike. I was expecting a much better  time on my 2nd Argus in 2009 with lots of training, a good seeding and a super duper carbon baby.

 

I did 4:36!! Will I ever break 4 hours -despite doing Tour Durban in 3:15??