8 replies to this topic Post Order

[Slowbee]

What an awesome day it was. However this particular ride was made even more amazing because we got to stay at the Cullinan Hotel, right at the start (a HUGE shout out to Mr Leet, I owe you buddy. Big time). The pasta meal was a total bargain and you guys missed out that did not arrive for it. This was the Mrs second ride (the first one she did not finish as she broke her elbow in a fall at sun valley). This meant a 09H19 start (PB). It was just great to roll out of bed a bit late. Have some breakfast, chill out, and then head out the hotel and into the start pens.

The start was pretty exciting, and was good to be with some many people. But since we were planning a "get to the finish ride" and not "get it over and done with" we started off slow. By the time we reached the top of hospital bend at least two other groups had come on by. Going past the UCT we saw a bad fall. A guy holding his jaw face down on the road and not moving at all. There were people already with him and we decided not to stop. This made the Mrs a little nervous - but she was ok. Going up Wynberg hill was a good vibe. It is really great to have so many people cheering you on and shouting for you. Still having so many people around you have to know your stuff. A big up to all these riders, who just manage to keep on going even though it is so slow. Makes the pro's look like amateurs.

That nice flat section to Boyes was top notch without the wind, and we managed to get some good speed going along there (25km/hr). Going round the corner onto Main Road before Boyes, disaster !!! My wife got whiped out. Some guy come round the corner to fast, took her out and she hit the road. Lucky for her she landed mostly on his bike, so only had a few bruises. Only a small road rash on her hip. She was shaken up, things were stinging a little, but the bike was ok, and she said she could carry on. The other dude, from OD group, had a broken derauiler and buckled wheel. His race was over. I was a bit shaken up, but going up boyes drive I was offered a beer and that settled the nerves a bit.

At the bottom of Smits I noticed a rattle on my bike, was we pulled in for a loo with a view. The beer had nothing to do with it. I chekced and my headset was loose. Phew lucky I had a few keys to tighten it up. The ride up smits and onto misty was just so much fun. It really is something that you can just take it easy and enjoy the views chat to the people around you, encourage them, give them a push. The vibe is just so different in these groups. I will not ever want to be going full steam at argus. Its w waste of a good ride.

I digress, Chappies awaited. But first I had to have a beer with some nice folk just before the booms. The Mrs managed to ride all the way up without to much incident. By this time the cloud cover had come over and it was nice and cool, with no wind at all. It made the pedal so much more easy. By the time we got to go up Suikerbossie, we were in good shape. Another beer for a quick carboload and I knew we had the race in the bag. I made the fatal error of telling the Mrs the coke stop was the top of the hill. I did not hear the end of it when we went past and still had some distance to go. But this was made up for since as we came down the other side we stopped and watched a pod of about 50 dolphins out at sea. Mountains, sea, dolphins, wife and beer. This ride has it all. From here on in it was an easy pedal and the Mrs even found some energy to ride a bit faster at the back of a small bunch. Her grin as she was cycling in the bunch was huge. Ok granted the bunch was only doing 20km/hr but we loved it non the less. Getting to the finish and collecting the medal was a huge thing for my wife. Her first one. And she did not stop talking about it all the way home. But the best part. Just cycle to the Cullinan Hotel, and there was a nice leg massage waiting for us. What a way to end!

In the end we were on our bikes for 6hrs. But our total time was 06H30, or there abouts. Racetec shows our average as 16.99km/hr.

Common world funride champs. Next year must hurry up now! The acid test tho', will I do it again ? You bet !

[Cassie]

Nice one Slowbee!!

Did it with the wife last year ...and she moaned / cussed me all the way - i'd ride up and drop back to wait for her...just to move off again!! Fatal mistake...
The wind had also everything to do with it..

This year I was solo with the wife & kids shouting from the sides...
NOW I hear that she want to join me again next year!!

She also suggested we do Karoo 2 Coast this year...wow! Gotta luv that woman!

[Slowbee]

Just read the thread with the guys in Suits .... that looks wicked !

[Tubehunter]

Lekka. My missus works in Hout Bay and even though I have entered her a few times, she always backs out before the event. Suikerbossie has her owned! I'd easily give up sub 3 ambitions to do the ride with her.

You chaps with an eager cycling missus are very fortunate that she shares the passion!

[RodTi]

[fandacious]

Nice one your slowness!

I got to agree - a social argus is absolutely awesome

[Velouria]

Nice race report. I do approve of the beer stops. And it's at the back where the real spirit of the Argus is.

Sorry to hijack your thread, but here is my race report

[scotty]

Nice report, my next argus will be my 11th and i plan on doing it the same way.

[Selous Scout (aka LegTrap)]

Great report ! My wife and I joined our cycling mates at Kilowatt to ride for charity (raised R30 000).Most of us were from PE and started at 0815.We also did the "long" route,stopping for photo's etc along the route.
What an awesome experience.Our "time" of 5hr 30 min was insignificant to the whole experience.
We'll be back for sure