110km Cape Argus bike race

The 30th annual cape peninsula race saw me don tight Lycra & crash helmet, rent a race bike & set off round the hilly course pumped full of Powerade & energy bars. 35,000 people take part & set off in groups of 500 odd riders from 6am until 11. My start time of 9.02 was delayed a good 15 minutes whilst race organizers cleared this headline making crash.


Apparently the +30C temperature was cool by comparison to past years' races but by the time I was forced to fix a flat front tire (just 5kms form the end!!) the heat of the day had waned my sense of humour somewhat. I had aimed to go sub 4hrs if possible so was desperate to change the tire & still cross the line in time. 2 young lads (no older than 7) wandered over to help me. They asked lots of useful questions like – “are the people that were behind you, now in front of you?” I just about bit my tongue, choosing not to suggest they rearrange a commonly known phrase 2 word phrase & had them pack up my knackered tire as I battled to get the new one on.

I finished in 3hrs & 52mins so was doubly happy to have both achieved my race time & improved my tire changing abilities! Franco & I treated ourselves to a couple of well earned beers at the end as we waited on the whole family (grandparents inclusive) to complete the grueling race. Marco joined me in riding in his first Cape Argus race.


Cape Argus Cycle tour