Argus Cycle Tour 2000

My very first Argus Cycle Tour in 2000 on my Avalanche Sirocco MTB

Time: Around 5h 42

My scheduled starting time was 9:29 am and since this was my first Cycle Tour my race number was PH 34085. Got to the start in what I thought was plenty of time but found that there were earlier birds. Found myself at the back of my start group. The start was delayed overall by fifteen minutes, due to poor light conditions at 6:00 am. The atmosphere was absolutely electric, everyone faces aglow with anticipation.
Being my first Argus Cycle Tour, needless to say, I was overwhelmed by the sheer number of participants (36 000) and my nerves were shot. The moment for us came at 9:45 am and the DJ started our countdown and HOOPLA!!! our group was sent on its way. I found myself waiting as the front rows started moving off and almost three minutes ticked away before I finally pushed off.

The start was slow, and initial overtaking opportunities were scant, as we climbed the onramp onto the Eastern Boulevard. Once onto the Eastern Boulevard, I started to overtake the slower markers in my group and arrived at the top of Hospital Bend at 10:00 am. Just before the rise to Hospital Bend I saw four riders colliding and taking a spill. Then the quick drop down and onto the M3 past the University of Cape Town. Already the Route started taking its punctures toll, and the thousands of fans lining the roadside were worth their weight in gold as their shouts of encouragement gave me the necessary lift I needed up Edinburgh Drive / Wynberg Hill.

This was the first major climb, and as I approached, I saw thousands of cyclists ahead bunched up, and had to slow down. The climb itself was not so bad, but found that I had to brake at least twice going uphill, when caught behind slower climbers, and the stream of screaming riders passing on the right. It was extremely intimidating hearing people shouting “hold your line, keep left,” from behind. Crested the Hill at 10:15 am, then the quick drop down onto the Blue Route.

Now there was space again and I charged on, trying to make up the time lost on the Hill. The weather was superb, just a light south easterly breeze, and I latched onto a quick moving bunch and we pushed on up the Freeway. It was not long before I realised, that this bunch was going at a pace that was faster than what I could sustain, and I dropped back. Nature called saying that the trees lining the Blue Route needed watering and I obliged.

The end of Blue Route was up ahead and then onto the Tokai Main road, my legs were feeling strong as I powered my way up towards Muizenberg, which came up and was passed in a flash, as I latched onto another bunch just before St. James. This bunch was going at a good rate, and I stayed with them, passing Fish Hoek circle at 11:00 am until Simonstown Golf Course, where nature reminded me that the bushes required hydration again. Maybe too much fluid intake after breakfast?

At Millers Point we were informed by one of the supporters that we were doing better than the Cricket Team, for what that was worth. The weather was better than any cyclist could have hoped for and the Ocean was flat. Then the slog up past Smitswinkel Bay with magnificent views, crested the top at 12:15 pm. Got sucked all the way down and passed Scarborough and Misty Cliffs, (rather aptly named) but on the approach to the Soetwater watering hole my back started acting up and I realised I should have put more into my training.

Arrived at the Soetwater watering hole, with both of my water bottles depleted and I stopped there. However, the queues for water were too long and I decided to push on as I realised that I would lose too much time by staying.

At this stage I was past my best and this section took me a long time. My first photo’s were taken on the climb before Ocean View, and this gave me a well needed lift as I tooled along wearily onto Sun Valley, and the four way stop. Was greeted by the announcement that there was no water available on Ou Kaapse Weg and that we needed to refill our water bottles now.

Dutifully stood in line and got my refills and a welcome offering of chocolates. Pushed off again and started the tortuously steep climb, of Little Ou Kaapse Weg and got my second photo taken, which inspired me to continue climbing, passing what appeared to be a march rather than a Cycle Tour as thousands of weary cyclists decided to walk up the Beast. Powered on up to the short drop and on to Ou Kaapse Weg proper. This is a soul destroying, seemingly never ending slog, and just before the Refreshment stop at the top, my back and lungs decided the argument, and I bailed. I did not need any refilling but took the opportunity to rest at the stop for about five minutes.

Gathering all my will power I mounted my steed (Avalanche Sirocco Mountain Bike, 21 speed) and set off for the top, which amazingly, was just a mere three hundred metres or so on, having been fooled by the peak jutting up above, since the road bypassed it on the left hand side, at 2:15 pm. The sharp left turn, signaling the descent, came up very quick, and I had to brake quite sharply there. The views of the Southern Suburbs and the Ocean, can only be described as magnificent from this vantage point, (320 m) and have to be seen to be appreciated.

The descent was a long and fast one, and I dropped my head low onto the handlebars and literally flew down. Just before the right handed hairpin bend, some Marshalls warned me to slow down and thank goodness for that. It was quite a tight turn given the speed I was doing. Then a sharp right, and on down, past Westlake Golf Course and onto the Blue Route for the home run.

Whew! As I took the left turn my legs felt stiff from non activity after the long descent and then I faced what looked like a hill, at that time, just before the Constantia offramp. At this stage I just tooled along wearily, my body fully aware that eighty odd kilometres was done. Supporters now lining the Blue Route were singing our praises saying, “you’ve done it, you’ve done it!”

However, there was still Wynberg Hill to conquer, and the Blue Route was littered with cyclists who had either thrown in the towel or had mechanical problems. Wynberg Hill supporters chanted, “downhill coming up” from the foot of the Hill already and their voices really and truly lifted my spirits and my will to continue. Crested the Hill at 3:00 pm and went through the shower tent at the top. This was extremely cooling, and I felt like a new man after passing through this.

The drop was quick and fast, and then the slog up towards Newlands Forest approached. By then I just dropped my head, shifted to the lowest of the low gears, and tooled on up, and on. Hospital Bend was the last barrier left between myself and the finishing line and I attacked it with all that I had left. The descent into the city was a long and steady one, and I just layed on my handlebars, recovering.

At the right turn into Adderley Street a cyclist headed straight for the curb and took a bad spill, and within seconds, Marshalls and First Aid Helpers rushed to his assistance. At the Fountain Circle in Adderley Street turned left, and then the short quick climb, past the Western Boulevard Freeway to Nowhere bridges, and stood up pumping on my pedals knowing the end was ahead. The last of my photos were taken just before the finish line and I finished at 3:25 pm, in total, five hours and forty minutes.

This Cycle Tour was extremely well organised and is the Largest of its kind in the World. It is considered by all cyclists to be a huge challenge and is not for the faint hearted as many have discovered going through their private hell of unfitland. Local and International participants attended this event and I was very proud to have participated and to have finished. After all the blood, sweat and gears, next year will see me at the start line again aiming for a sub five hour time.

The Road to the Pick `n Pay Argus Cycle Tour 2000
At age 39, and a confirmed couch potato, getting me into entering for an International Cycle Tour with entries of 36 000, covering a course crossing mountain passes and coastal roads with a total race distance of 109 km, was indeed a daunting task for my buddy, Kader.
Yet, he succeeded in convincing me to enter, citing that he had done the event last year. The last time I had been on a bicycle was at age 16 and I was an armchair sportsman. The last four years had been devoted to studying and I am a qualified Computer Technician, Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer, Linux and FreeBSD (UNIX) user and currently studying to achieve Cisco Router and WAN Certifications.

I intially purchased a Mountain Bike off a supermarket shelf and was amazed that I still knew how to ride a bicycle. I still remember my first ride to work (9.9 km) when it felt like my legs had turned to jelly. That is an indication as to how unfit I was at the time.

Training for the Cycle Tour started on the 14 January 2000 after I had returned from a trip to Durban. After having driven 1 400 km through the night with only three hours of sleep, my “slavedriver” buddy, Kader took me on my first long ride …. 35 km to Muizenberg. This took us along the Main Road via Claremont all the way to Muizenberg. On arriving at Muizenberg and riding into a headwind I was ready to throw in the towel as I was completely bushed.

My buddy, Kader (should have been named Job) had all the patience in the world and we took it easy on the way back. Needless to say I was feeling quite sore after this experience and felt like tossing my bicycle on the scrap heap.

Well, two days later there I was, back on my bicycle again, and doing the same route again with `ol slavedriver’ Kader in attendance again. This was a much better ride (beautiful weather) and I started to enjoy being on a bicycle and experiencing the smell of the sea and the wind as I have never had before.

Thereafter we extended the length of our rides by ten to fifteen kilometres each time and also started doing hill climbs like Wynberg Hill, Constantia Nek and Suikerbossie. I was really enjoying cycling now and it was around this time that I decided to get a better spec bike and decided on an Avalanche Sirocco Mountain Bike, 21 speed. Old leadbelly,18 speed, is still around and I am using it for training.

With Kader and myself both working shifts we took every opportunity that we could to go cycling which was not much since our off days were not always in sync and this was when we did our solo runs. However when we were off together we always trained together. This was where Waleed, my other buddy came into the picture and we did some rides together as well, though he worked normal shifts. Waleed was an experienced cyclist and was now heading for his third Cycle Tour.

Just two weeks before race day we did a full 105,4 km round trip and I survived this though Ou Kaapse Weg was not included as we doubled back to Fish Hoek again. This I did in five hours and eight minutes and gave me the confidence that I would at least be able to finish the Cycle Tour.

My other buddy, Waleed, took me along to do the Cape Talk Bay Fun Ride. This was the first Fun Ride I had attended, and it gave me some valuable experience of riding amongst large groups of cyclists. This is highly recommended, and I will be attending as many of these events, shifts allowing of course.

Cycling has changed my life. I now feel fitter and stronger with more zest for life. My only criticism of myself is that I did not start sooner. Thanks to Kader and Waleed.