The ARGUS 2025 Thread (AKA CTCT)

[Musashi]

I support the use of ebikes as it allows riders who otherwise won't be able to complete it, to ride and enjoy it.  But do it in terms of the rules, take it easy and make a day of it.  To go race it is pointless.  Maybe I should just enter with my 800GS and claim a sub-1 hour?  Ag nee man.

[capediver]

Just now, Christine Meyer said:

I started at 7:06. Early enough? I was not reckless, neither was I rude. I kept my lane and if anyone wanted to fall in, they did. I was there to enjoy the ride, not steal someone's glory. 

Unfortunately, what you and others that similarly got DQ'd actually did beside obviously enjoying yourselves ...which is great and the aim of most participants I imagine...was also provide ammo for the anti-ebike crowd as well as maybe the organisers to clamp down on e-bike entries to events such as this...thereby removing the possibility of those that actually struggle to cycle a "natural" bike due to a disability, from also enjoying themselves.

[Me rida my bicycle]

Just now, Christine Meyer said:

I started at 7:06. Early enough? I was not reckless, neither was I rude. I kept my lane and if anyone wanted to fall in, they did. I was there to enjoy the ride, not steal someone's glory. 

I was not talking about you. As I said glad you enjoyed it. 

[Musashi]

Christine, your total disrespect for the rules and the reason for them goes against the spirit of road racing/riding.  It shows a complete lack of respect for other road cyclists and the sport as a whole.  Taking a self-justifying attitude is not helping.

[JacquesJ]

30 minutes ago, Christine Meyer said:

Yes I did enter as an Ebike and I started in 3A. My average was 38.1km/h, I was disqualified and I accept it, as I did break the rules. I personally don't know why we should only ride 25km/h because the natural bikes don't have the same rules. 🤷‍♀️ 

Great to see they enforced the rules!

Now spread the word to other eBikers too please!

 

(Not the ones who read and respect the rules and use eBikes like the organizers nicely asked in their comms...you are the awesome ones!)

Edited 20 hours ago by JacquesJ

[JacquesJ]

13 minutes ago, Musashi said:

Christine, your total disrespect for the rules and the reason for them goes against the spirit of road racing/riding.  It shows a complete lack of respect for other road cyclists and the sport as a whole.  Taking a self-justifying attitude is not helping.

There was an eBike in A1 too, definitely not built like a racer to put it politely. Pulled his buddy over Smuts and Chappies. Must be real proud of the achievement. Not as bad as the eMTB mixing it up with @ two years ago in the rain...

[ChrisF]

48 minutes ago, DieselnDust said:

🍿 it’s been so long….

 

And not even Friday ...

[DJuice]

Please hold on, need to get the kids in bed. It’s been years, can’t miss this.

[capediver]

Just now, DJuice said:

Please hold on, need to get the kids in bed. It’s been years, can’t miss this.

I think you may be too late....apologies have been offered and order is about to be restored!!!

[capediver]

TBH the whole e-bike thing and the limits imposed by the organiser is all a bit pointless as it seems e-bikers are still dashing to the end then hanging out near the finish to come in under regulation time....but I guess that's at least some semblance of control to allow for a range abilities of e-bikers to enter...

[ChrisF]

29 minutes ago, capediver said:

Unfortunately, what you and others that similarly got DQ'd actually did beside obviously enjoying yourselves ...which is great and the aim of most participants I imagine...was also provide ammo for the anti-ebike crowd as well as maybe the organisers to clamp down on e-bike entries to events such as this...thereby removing the possibility of those that actually struggle to cycle a "natural" bike due to a disability, from also enjoying themselves.

 

Well said 👍

 

I also started in 3A, passed @Musashi near UCT.  He was doing about 20 km/h up the slight incline. 

 

Weekend riders spread all over the road.  A few not able to keep a straight line.

 

And somebody does a sub-3 througb that ...

 

This is exactly what the e.bike rules try to prevent, and it explains the intent of these rules clearly.

[Musashi]

4 minutes ago, capediver said:

TBH the whole e-bike thing and the limits imposed by the organiser is all a bit pointless as it seems e-bikers are still dashing to the end then hanging out near the finish to come in under regulation time....but I guess that's at least some semblance of control to allow for a range abilities of e-bikers to enter...

I must admit, I was at first stumped by all the riders pulled off next to the road in the final km.  And then realised they're all ebikers waiting out their time.  

[capediver]

51 minutes ago, Neville Bailey said:

 

 

Neville! Great ride....bad timing for posting though! In middle of a Pre-Friday heated discussion...unless of course you were on an e-bike and deliberately posted to show you followed the rules perfectly with that time!!🤣

[Musashi]

12 minutes ago, Christine Meyer said:

Musashi, you are right. I apologise to everyone I have offended. It was never my intention to disregard the rules and also not to give ebikers a bad name. 

It take some guts to apologise, especially on an anonymous forum where it's easy to "disappear".  You have my respect.

[Musashi]

23 hours ago, Heina13 said:

 

And if you were ever wondering, a tandem does fit on the roof of a Jimny. Well sort of.

 

 

The tandem fits inside my wife's Kia Sedona without having to take a wheel of. 

[ChrisF]

5 minutes ago, capediver said:

TBH the whole e-bike thing and the limits imposed by the organiser is all a bit pointless as it seems e-bikers are still dashing to the end then hanging out near the finish to come in under regulation time....but I guess that's at least some semblance of control to allow for a range abilities of e-bikers to enter...

 

Comparing CTCT with the other road events, in terms of ebikes, CTCT put the following in place :

1. Despite your best seeding index, no ebiker gets seeded earlier than 3A. Thus they should not be able to influence the race results, i.e. tow a buddy in the race groups.  Jip, those that do slip in at the front is a nightmare for the marchalls.

2. The 3:50 number is explained by CTCT .... and a few minutes to either side their reasoning does make sense.  Is it a realistic number ? 871 ebikers doing the 109km.  About 30 faster than 3.50.  29 gamed the system and came in 55 seconds later. 93% came in after 3.50.  Not to bad at all this 3.50 calc.

 

Heck yes, I would love to get in at 3:51.  This is our sub-3 goal ...

 

 

So, what do the other events do ?

 

Tour de PPA ... ebikers start at the BACK ...

 

Winelands .... each year a different approach.  Serms now we start where seeded.

 

Durbie Dash same as Winelands.

 

99er .... we start as seeded, BUT, they copied the 3:50 NUMBER ... for a shorter and flatter cource.  A 3:50 CTCT pace gives you about a 3:15 to 3:20 time for the 99er.  I have corresponded with them about this.  For 2025 they put a ? mark behind the number, and did not enforce the 3:50.

 

 

Point being, each organiser is grappling with how to deal with ebikes.  Organisers such 99er actually talks with ebikers and are trying to find a win-win solution.  For the 93% that co-operates, a small number is adding fuel to the fire..... as with most things in life.