And so ends another Argus weekend. The Cape Town cycling community is abuzz with activity at this time of year! The Cycletour Lifestyle Week starts with the 3 day Grape Escape MTB stage race; followed by no less than 5 MTB races of varying distances - all under the banner of the Argus MTB races (to us laymen). Then the Saturday before the main road event is the kiddies Argus (2 races), to eventually be crowned with the big 110km road race.
For many South Africans, riding the Argus is the milestone achievement of a cycling career. With over 35,000 entrants, chances are good that you will bump into someone anywhere in the country who has ridden an Argus or two. For those who take riding somewhat seriously, riding the distance under 3 hours is the key achievement. In 2011 I managed a 3:01...and in 2012 when I really wanted to get that monkey off my back I managed a 3:00:41! So needless to say I had a bit of a bone to pick with the Argus this year.
The great thing about riding the Argus is that everyone has their own stories to tell. From how sluggish the group was; how windy it was to Cape Point; how you nearly fell; how steep Suikerbossie was; to the idiot who swerved in front of you - we all have these rich memories to recall and share with other riders. And that's what makes the Argus great - it makes cycling a big race accessible to so many. And anything goes...! Superheroes; cows; gorillas; clowns; Elvis....everything with a costume or a bike is there to ride and soak up the glorious scenery!
But lets get to the Smooth Knobblies results, shall we? We always have a healthy group of representatives and 2013 was no different.
A few things to mention:
PERSONAL BESTS
This was Shaun's first Argus. He had been after a sub 3 since returning from his rugby days in Ireland - so its nice to see months of good training come down to being 49 seconds below the magical mark! That's what it takes.... Rookie of the Year goes to Shaun!
Dots put in a great PB ride that sees him in the top 1500 - a great leap forward towards that sub 3.
GavC also put in a PB ride of 3:06 - a top 1000 finish! C group had no sub 3 riders this year, so GavC will be grinding his axe for the 2014 edition no doubt. (Chin up, big boy!)
TANDEM CHALLENGE
Warren and CrackMan took to the tandems with their daughters. Both recorded highly impressive sub 3:30's....although the battle between the two tandems continues as CrackMan had a mechanical this year - so the title of Top Dad and Daughter Tandem Winner is still very much a temporary arrangement in CrackMans mind as Warren and Alison take that title for 2013. (Rumour has it The CrackMan was telling his girl to slow down up Chappies - and she just told him to HTFU and pedal. The apple doesn't fall far from the tree it seems...)
EPO? TRY CPM....
Also doing its rounds on the rumour mill is a conspiracy worse than EPO. Reports in allege that JayZee took some CPM on Suikerbossie. CPM is worse than doping. CPM stands for "Charlie Push Me" - an instruction Jay Zee summonsed to Tony's son halfway up the last big climb. Apparently Charlie obliged and, pushing through the throngs of bystanders, made his way to the ailing JayZee and proceeded to give him a helping nudge up Suikerbossie. Although I'm not sure 100 metres of pushing is classified as a nudge - but who am I to judge? #justsaying... Anyway - Billy finished just behind JayZee this year - which is a first. Normally its Billy who shoots the lame and lazy at the end and gets over that finish line first. Could it have been the CPM? Who knows....but check the scoreboard Billy....
MOOSEMAN
The Moose was nursing an injury, so the decision to leave the Dead Three club needed to be put on hold for this year. Instead, the Moose rode with has father in law, Oom Flip - (who seconded us on TransBaviaans 2011 - weereens dankie Oom!). Turns out that at 73 years of age a good Argus time is quite possible - a highly respectable 4:07! Unlike the JayZee scandal (JayZeegate?) there were no reports of pushing or assistance. And this also gives The Oracle hope for many more attempts at sub 3...at least 14 or so more attempts...(is that right?)
THE HOUT BAY CHALLENGE (2TONE AND ORACLE)
The Hout Bay Soutpiel Challenge is still alive and well. Apparently 2Tone only landed on the Friday evening prior the Argus weekend from a two week stint in England - giving him only a handful of hours to adjust before the race. The Oracle, in the meantime, had clocked up over 1600km of training since January. However, the secret cycling training camp that 2Tone attended in England managed by Olympic Gold Medalist Team GB paid off. (2Tone will tell you he was only over in the UK to see his son - but we know better...) Tony edged in 5 minutes ahead of The Oracle on the day. Long may this challenge continue.... Perhaps more interval and less easy interval hey Oracle?
BMX ROCKS!
The Twakkie has crossed over to the Knobblies part of the sport only. But being a former Gauteng Racing Veteran (not sure if I've mentioned that before) he couldn't resist the call of the crowds and the hype of race day...so Twakkie grabbed his MTB and rode a sub 4....do I sense that he may have started something in the Sknobs group? Well, in that case, Twakkie not only holds the Smooth Knobblies record for fastest Argus (2:51) but he also holds the Smooth Knobblies record for Fastest Argus on a MTB (3:55). Maybe I can challenge that one sometime!
Well done to all other Smooth Knobblies that rode the Argus. The main thing is we enjoyed the event and we all finished safely! Long may we continue to have such good representation at the Worlds Largest Timed cycle race.
Corne and Twakkie celebrate another great Argus! (stats and pic compiled by Wynand)
