A day at the races

An early bunch

An early group

Be careful what you wish for, because you might get it.  On Sunday I wished for a wind-free day, and that is exactly what I got. However I didn’t wish for the temperature to go over 40 deg C, but it did!

By  now you probably know that I cycled in the Pick n Pay Cape Argus Cycle Tour on Sunday. This was my 6th tour, and I clearly have an ability to pick interesting weather. Oh, how I would love to have a race in cool and wind-free weather.  But not this year! Just to give you an example of some of the recent tours  that I have completed:

  • 2012: temperature peaked at 42 deg C
  • 2010: howling wind (but not as bad as 2009)
  • 2009: howling wind (over 120km/h – higher that what I experienced in hurricane Irene in USA 2011)
  • 2006: rained (and crashed but still finished)

Maybe, just maybe next year will be great weather.

Waiting before the start

Relaxing before the start

While I didn’t take any pictures on the road, here are a couple (mostly) from the start line, and all on my phone (no my SLR does not go on the race with me). I hope this gives you a small taste of the feeling of being part of the 31324 cyclists that finished. There are so many people that while the first cyclists leave at 6:15am, the last leave after 10:30am which is after the first cyclists  have already finished!

At the start line

My group starting to assemble at the start line

The race leaves in groups of about 500, spread out every few minutes. My group left at 9:16am, and it was already sweltering. I drank over 9l water on the route, which is about what I usually drink in an entire week.

Waiting for the start

At the start line, about 5 minutes before my group started on the 110km route

Cycle tour medal

The end, now I can relax for the next year, or at least until the 2 Oceans half marathon next month.

2 Comments

  1. Peter V said:

    Should have used your doggie to pull you around!

    I completed my 21st in a row, in 4:32 with very little training.

    Hope you and the family are all well.

    Peter, Mika and Lizzy….oh and the rest of the family too!

    March 14, 2012
    Reply
    • Craig said:

      Hi Peter

      Well done on your time, I have done 6 now, so working towards that 21!

      I was thinking of getting Emily to assist, but I had 3 concerns
      1) would she chase the baboons at Cape Point?
      2) would she stop and say hello to all the people and dogs watching from the side of the road?
      3) would she try to steal chocolates from the Bar One girls?

      But still I had a good ride.

      Pats and love to all (in the appropriate order)

      Craig

      March 15, 2012
      Reply

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