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2010 Cape Argus Pick n Pay Cycle Tour - Race Report for those who are interested
Arrived in sunny Cape Town 11'ish on Saturday morning, blue skies and considerably warmer than the UK. Realised that Id left my timing chip on my kitchen table so multiple trips to the sign in area and finally got to build my bike! Went for a quick spin up Signal Hill:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Signal_Hill_(Cape_Town)
then pasta & early night.
Up at 5:30 hotel very kindly provided breakfast at this time wind sounding & looking decidedly BAD! Off to start in dark. The start is testament to the race organiser as there are some c35,000 riders congregating in one place. My pen (G) was due off at 6:50 and we got off bang on time the atmosphere at this point is pretty electric!! Once we were given our off, we cycled out of the main square.... and then it hit, the wind literally took the whole group 20 feet across the road, Im amazed we all stayed upright! (Some didnt in other groups!) We then pretty much turned straight into it.
Having already resigned myself to no records being achieved this year (mostly due to lack of actual training on the roads, due to UK weather and this being reinforced with my performance on the previous weeks ride with Alex & Phil A!!) I decided there and then to adopt survival tactics and enjoy the ride. I wont bore you with a complete description of what happened on each hill but needless to say it was literally a white knuckle ride most of the way round due to the wind. However, I did get to enjoy the sights & views and general atmosphere (in 2008 I had my head down racing so hadnt noticed half of the scenery or remembered it) and they are truly amazing! Below are a couple of links about the route, its certainly not the longest race in the world but it is definitely the biggest! Its about 70 miles and I can highly recommend the experience!
http://www.cycletour.co.za/index.aspx
http://www.cycletour.co.za/exploreRoute.aspx
http://www.cycletour.co.za/exploreProfile.aspx
http://www.chapmanspeakdrive.co.za/index.php
So the stats:
3 hrs 48mins - half an hour down on last time 8-(
Overall position 3755 / 28,817 (1,000 better than last time 8- )
Average speed 18 mph (compared to 21mph in 2008) - that'll be the wind!
Temperature: 30 + degrees 8-)))))
Up on the Monday, no wind, perfect day for a bike ride.... gggrrr sods law, so did half of it again 8-) and then came home... I wouldnt necessarily recommend such a short stay; I could have done with an extra Day to recover on the way out.
See you at the weekend back in all that horrible winter wear!!!
PS - as always testing new kit, on the Monday I was sporting a CCA 'Sleeveless' little number which I can definitely recommend for warmer climates (except the sun burn... ouch!!)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Signal_Hill_(Cape_Town)
then pasta & early night.
Up at 5:30 hotel very kindly provided breakfast at this time wind sounding & looking decidedly BAD! Off to start in dark. The start is testament to the race organiser as there are some c35,000 riders congregating in one place. My pen (G) was due off at 6:50 and we got off bang on time the atmosphere at this point is pretty electric!! Once we were given our off, we cycled out of the main square.... and then it hit, the wind literally took the whole group 20 feet across the road, Im amazed we all stayed upright! (Some didnt in other groups!) We then pretty much turned straight into it.
Having already resigned myself to no records being achieved this year (mostly due to lack of actual training on the roads, due to UK weather and this being reinforced with my performance on the previous weeks ride with Alex & Phil A!!) I decided there and then to adopt survival tactics and enjoy the ride. I wont bore you with a complete description of what happened on each hill but needless to say it was literally a white knuckle ride most of the way round due to the wind. However, I did get to enjoy the sights & views and general atmosphere (in 2008 I had my head down racing so hadnt noticed half of the scenery or remembered it) and they are truly amazing! Below are a couple of links about the route, its certainly not the longest race in the world but it is definitely the biggest! Its about 70 miles and I can highly recommend the experience!
http://www.cycletour.co.za/index.aspx
http://www.cycletour.co.za/exploreRoute.aspx
http://www.cycletour.co.za/exploreProfile.aspx
http://www.chapmanspeakdrive.co.za/index.php
So the stats:
3 hrs 48mins - half an hour down on last time 8-(
Overall position 3755 / 28,817 (1,000 better than last time 8- )
Average speed 18 mph (compared to 21mph in 2008) - that'll be the wind!
Temperature: 30 + degrees 8-)))))
Up on the Monday, no wind, perfect day for a bike ride.... gggrrr sods law, so did half of it again 8-) and then came home... I wouldnt necessarily recommend such a short stay; I could have done with an extra Day to recover on the way out.
See you at the weekend back in all that horrible winter wear!!!
PS - as always testing new kit, on the Monday I was sporting a CCA 'Sleeveless' little number which I can definitely recommend for warmer climates (except the sun burn... ouch!!)
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