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I've only done it about 3-4 times but I don't consider it a climb. There's an initial ramp up which is fairly straight forward and then basically a set of rollers with one steep piece towards the middle (as I can recall - locals can give you a better impression). Will it change the times vs. Main Road - certainly but the view is awesome! I'd actually like to know what change in time can be expected from this route vs. Main Road which is flat.

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It's not too bad - nothing too steep, a couple of rolling hills and a bend or two, and a downhill.

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Don't forget the wind factor. Wind was howling again on Sunday, it made it a tough climb. Other days, with no or little wind, it is not that a major obstacle. Just try to be in front of bunch (should you still be in the bunch at that timeWink), otherwise the "not so strong on uphill okes" might hold you up a bit. But yeah, you could add 5 to 7 minutes to your time, depending on how strong you are on the day. Wannabe2010-03-02 04:48:23

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We did it last year in the wind and it was no problem at all. It isn't really a "climb" per say. More of a few undulations than anything else.

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Andyr249 - I would have to disagree with you about the wind factor, dunno if u were serious about that comment but i did boyes drive Sunday b4 last and the wind was so hectic it nearly blew my helmet and sunnies off my face! (& my helmet and sunnies do fit snug)

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Depends on the wind...I also suffered into that headwind on Sunday...(may have something to do with the beer consumption the night before as well), and it took me about 20 minutes to do the entire section from Main Road back to Main Road.  In contrast I did the reverse (R4S and 3 Passes) and had no problems at all (not sure about the time, but was way less than Sunday!). 

If the Argus had been this last Sunday I am sure that Boyes Drive (including the cumulative effect on the legs later in the race) would have increased my time by 15 minutes at least.
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Andyr249 - I would have to disagree with you about the wind factor' date=' dunno if u were serious about that comment but i did boyes drive Sunday b4 last and the wind was so hectic it nearly blew my helmet and sunnies off my face! (& my helmet and sunnies do fit snug)[/quote']

 

Well I raced the Argus last year in that terrible wind you Capies decided to try get rid of us Vaalies with and Boyes drive didn't seem particularly difficult as a climb compared to the other climbs in the race. So remove the wind, or at least lessen the wind a bit, and Boyes Drive can be quite pleasant. I am more worried about Suikerbossie and Smitswinkel than Boyes Drive.

Just please try make sure that the wind is calmer on the 14th! You guys will also enjoy it more! Wink
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Andyr249 - I would have to disagree with you about the wind factor' date=' dunno if u were serious about that comment but i did boyes drive Sunday b4 last and the wind was so hectic it nearly blew my helmet and sunnies off my face! (& my helmet and sunnies do fit snug)[/quote']

 

Well I raced the Argus last year in that terrible wind you Capies decided to try get rid of us Vaalies with and Boyes drive didn't seem particularly difficult as a climb compared to the other climbs in the race. So remove the wind, or at least lessen the wind a bit, and Boyes Drive can be quite pleasant. I am more worried about Suikerbossie and Smitswinkel than Boyes Drive.

Just please try make sure that the wind is calmer on the 14th! You guys will also enjoy it more! Wink

 

I really have good news for you then??.. We (in the Cape) have had a funny year so far?.. The wind has arrived late this year and all expectations are that we are going to have a windy ride again. Over the last 2 weeks the average wind speed at Cape point has been 45Kpm.

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South Africa - Cape Point  (wave: NWW3 02.03. 2010 06 UTC)[Options] 

 Forecast  Map  Webcams  Wind reports  Accommodation  Schools/Rentals  Shops  Other... 

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Wind speed (km/h)354849525247443741464428237712111715824221526
Wind directionhttp://www.windguru.cz/int/img/sipky/s5.gifhttp://www.windguru.cz/int/img/sipky/s5.gifhttp://www.windguru.cz/int/img/sipky/s5.gifhttp://www.windguru.cz/int/img/sipky/s5.gifhttp://www.windguru.cz/int/img/sipky/s5.gifhttp://www.windguru.cz/int/img/sipky/s5.gifhttp://www.windguru.cz/int/img/sipky/s4.gifhttp://www.windguru.cz/int/img/sipky/s5.gifhttp://www.windguru.cz/int/img/sipky/s5.gifhttp://www.windguru.cz/int/img/sipky/s5.gifhttp://www.windguru.cz/int/img/sipky/s5.gifhttp://www.windguru.cz/int/img/sipky/s4.gifhttp://www.windguru.cz/int/img/sipky/s4.gifhttp://www.windguru.cz/int/img/sipky/s4.gifhttp://www.windguru.cz/int/img/sipky/s12.gifhttp://www.windguru.cz/int/img/sipky/s12.gifhttp://www.windguru.cz/int/img/sipky/s13.gifhttp://www.windguru.cz/int/img/sipky/s14.gifhttp://www.windguru.cz/int/img/sipky/s12.gifhttp://www.windguru.cz/int/img/sipky/s12.gifhttp://www.windguru.cz/int/img/sipky/s10.gifhttp://www.windguru.cz/int/img/sipky/s8.gifhttp://www.windguru.cz/int/img/sipky/s6.gifhttp://www.windguru.cz/int/img/sipky/s6.gif
Wave (m)3.13.13.33.53.73.93.83.73.63.73.73.33.12.82.62.52.32221.91.81.81.8
Wave period (s)6777788999888888888899910
Wave directionhttp://www.windguru.cz/int/img/sipky/s6.gifhttp://www.windguru.cz/int/img/sipky/s6.gifhttp://www.windguru.cz/int/img/sipky/s5.gifhttp://www.windguru.cz/int/img/sipky/s6.gifhttp://www.windguru.cz/int/img/sipky/s5.gifhttp://www.windguru.cz/int/img/sipky/s5.gifhttp://www.windguru.cz/int/img/sipky/s5.gifhttp://www.windguru.cz/int/img/sipky/s5.gifhttp://www.windguru.cz/int/img/sipky/s5.gifhttp://www.windguru.cz/int/img/sipky/s5.gifhttp://www.windguru.cz/int/img/sipky/s5.gifhttp://www.windguru.cz/int/img/sipky/s5.gifhttp://www.windguru.cz/int/img/sipky/s5.gifhttp://www.windguru.cz/int/img/sipky/s5.gifhttp://www.windguru.cz/int/img/sipky/s5.gifhttp://www.windguru.cz/int/img/sipky/s5.gifhttp://www.windguru.cz/int/img/sipky/s5.gifhttp://www.windguru.cz/int/img/sipky/s6.gifhttp://www.windguru.cz/int/img/sipky/s6.gifhttp://www.windguru.cz/int/img/sipky/s6.gifhttp://www.windguru.cz/int/img/sipky/s6.gifhttp://www.windguru.cz/int/img/sipky/s6.gifhttp://www.windguru.cz/int/img/sipky/s6.gifhttp://www.windguru.cz/int/img/sipky/s7.gif
*Temperature (?C)222223222120212325242322222425242221212222222121
Cloud cover (%)
high / mid / low

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54

 
 
13

 
 
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11

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
29

 
 
14

5
 
 

Rain (mm/3h)

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Windguru rating

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02.03.2010
06 UTC

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Wind direction

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http://www.windguru.cz/int/img/sipky/s11.gif

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Wave (m)

1.8

1.9

2

2.1

2.3

2.8

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2.9

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Wave period (s)

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Wave direction

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*Temperature (?C)

21

23

22

22

21

21

21

23

24

24

23

21

22

23

23

23

22

22

24

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22

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Cloud cover (%)
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5

 
 
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5

9
85
 

13
86
 

16
40
 

27
30
 

85
16
14

71
37
49

Rain (mm/3h)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

0.5

Windguru rating

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Don't you Capies want us to ride the Argus anymore?

Snoek, please try arrange for the wind to blow from behind us this time if there has to be wind. Wink

One thing I have learnt about Cape Town is that you can't expect anything weather wise. Last year they were going on about the heat and then I look out the window at dinner and see the wind getting stronger and stronger. Heat was forgotten and wind was the main thing. I have also ridden the Argus in all seasons weather. A few years back there was wind and no wind, hot and cold, rain and shine. You okes really have funny weather! But I suppose it makes it interesting!
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Boyes is nicely broken into three climbing sections, the first you hit from the Main Road starts gently and gets pretty steep, but you should be fresh and manage it easily. The second is a short sharp hit about 1.5 km later, it is pretty steep but you will hit it fast and can get over in the Big Blade. The last climbing section is the longest section, it starts with a short steep section, then becomes a very manageable gradient, it does have a bit of a false summit, but then it is twisty and predominatly downhill to the end, big blade all the way.

 

I estimate it is 2 mins slower than main road point to point, but could add 5 mins to your time due to added fatigue. (all based on a 3 hr argus / rider)
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Be conservative in your estimation.

 

Add a minimum of 7 mins to your stopwatch.

 

 

 

Boyes Drive is also technically very tricky towards the end with a sharp descent. The hilly bits are short and steep.

 

 

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It is but not as tricky as everyone made it out to be last year. For me at least. I was expecting it to be much worse than what it really was. Maybe the lower groups had more difficulty.

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