Ian Lowe's first Cape Argus - March 2005
How did I get myself into this?
Whilst holidaying in South Africa in April 2004, sitting out on the patio overlooking the Indian Ocean my ever so fit younger looking brother who has just completed his fourth Cape Argus said I should give it a go. Me - at 106 Kg (16 stone 10 pounds) - no way. My brother was 94 Kg (about 2 stone) lighter and fit as a fiddle.
Some months passed and that constant niggle "You should give the Cape Argus a go" in the back of my head eventually got to me. I went out to the garden shed and like a man possessed hunted down my old bike which I had used to do triathlons on 8 years previously. A Pink steel Shorter, Mavic wheels and Shimano 600, 8 speed gears. After a few days of cleaning and upgrading to a new chain, tyres and tubes, I now had a bike.
Training
The most I had ever ridden before was about 25 km's and usually on the flat, so to aim for 108 km's with a few hills on the way, some planning was needed. I searched for some cycling clubs which were in my area and found the Thames Velo website to be quite inviting to an outsider not having a clue about riding a road bike. I then made a call to the Sunday rides co-ordinator, Pete Smith - and asked for some info as to length of rides and pace. 50 - 70 miles at an average or about 17 - 18 mph or 27 - 29 kph. I had some way to go but thought that I best give it a go as I could always turn back, which Pete had indicated was an option.
I spent the summer months (August and September) doing 40 Km rides and trying to increase my pace, eventually getting 60kms over the week-end at a respectable 18 - 20 mph or 29 - 32 kph. Although I had not done the distance I thought it was now time to go out on one of the club runs as the pace would be at that of the slowest rider. This I did, and came back completing the whole course with the club although feeling rather tired for the exercise. I then became a regular rider with the group going from the Pond House Pub on the A4 near Maidenhead and started to get to know the other riders (Thames Velo members). I was asked if I was going to join the club and said not really sure as I was just training to do the Cape Argus as a one off and that was that. The Thames Velo riders welcomed me every Sunday I pitched up for the long ride. I soon was also riding out on Saturdays to get a back to back ride in on the week-ends and with my once a week commute to work and back of 60 miles round trip the miles started to accumulate.
It was amazing how quickly the days flew past and the race was drawing nearer day by day. Proud that I had done the training and feeling good I started to predict a time for completion of the Cape Argus. 3:30 - 3:45 for some 108 Kms. of riding around the Cape Peninsular some of the most beautiful parts of South Africa.
Arrival in Cape Town
I stepped off the plane and onto the tarmac in fairly warm temperatures, 27 degrees. Please let me remind you that I had been training through the European winter in temperatures of between -1 and about 9 degrees. So although a South African, when I stepped off that plane into this heat I realised that it was warmer than I was expecting. Fortunately my brother and father had told me that a cold front was moving in and there would be cooler weather coming. Just to my liking, although it has to be said I love the sun and warm weather but only when I am lazily, sunning myself with a cold beer on the beach not when trying to cycle a bicycle race up and down some mountains.
Race Day
I was woken at 03:00 am by a howling wind, a cyclist nightmare. The cold front had come through shortly after midnight. I went back to sleep and eventually woke again at 05:00 to the alarm. Rather nervous now as I could still hear that wind and the temperature had dropped some what although not as cold as my early morning training rides back home in the UK. I was told by my brother that I should ensure that I did not crash as the number of cyclists cycling together in groups is large (between 600 to 1000 riders per start time group) which can be very dangerous and to also remember that some of these cyclists in the group were less experienced than myself who had only been cycling for between 6 to 7 months. I did the usual preparation of sorting out my breakfast, food for the ride and the bottles, and then went down to the start.
The Danger Spots
Then down into our first bend called hospital bend, only called hospital bend as the Groot-Schuur hospital is on this bend (renowned for the first heart transplant in the world done by Dr Chris Barnard). Usually many accidents occur here as the road goes from 4 lanes into, 2 going left and 2 going right. The race goes right and there are always some riders who land up in the left lanes trying to cut into the right lanes causing total mayhem, but not for me I was out of the bunch and cycling with 3 others up front to ensure this did not happen, so no problem.
30 minutes into the race and I was going pretty smoothly and feeling very comfortable. Next came the second dangerous bend after a very fast down hill and again I went out into the front to get out of trouble. Well on this occasion I did have luck on my side as I came around the second bend which was part of the next climb, there was a wheel chair cyclist in the middle of one of the 2 lanes and about 15 other very slow cyclists spread all over the 2 lanes taking up 3/4 of the road. These cyclists were the tail-enders of the previous bunch that had left 5 mins before us. With me leading a bunch of about 150 cyclist travelling at about 26 mile per hour I knew there was bound to be trouble, I used my hand behind my back and pointed out to the group following behind me that there were obstructions all over the road. As I shot pass the slow group I then heard from behind me much swearing, skidding of tyres and crashing of bicycles. I peered over my shoulder to see about 5 of 6 cyclists going down. Thank goodness I had been told about this dangerous bend, another hurdle completed. It was turning out to be an exciting morning and we had hardly begun.
About 15 minutes later I spoke to a chap who said 10 cyclists went down and a further 10 went down hitting them. Wow - how lucky was I.
The Coastal Route Out
Well we went down the motorway (which had been closed for the race) with the adrenalin pumping with no further problems. It was the first time we could open it up and feel safe since the start. This allowed the initial group to break into splinter groups which naturally became more safe and manageable to ride in as we then turned onto the coastal road (now a single lane) straight into a head on wind of 20 / 25 miles an hour. What a struggle. I stayed in the bunch for protection from the wind but we were travelling very slowly as no one want to be heading the wind at the front. No point in breaking from the bunch as the work load would be very high for little benefit. 30 mins went by and most riders were happy to sit in and take onboard food and drink in readiness for our next challenge which was the first of our 3 major climbs in the race for the day.
Smits Winkel Climb and the Baboons
Don't get me wrong we had already done 2 climbs but they were mere speed bumps compared to what lay ahead. I had also been told to be aware of the baboons which live in the reserve nearby the road. These guys are clever, they sit on the side of the road awaiting riders to off load there bananas before starting the main part of the climb. This practice has been going on for years and as each year has gone by they have got wiser. Nowadays they no longer wait for the riders to throw away there unwanted third of a banana. These supporters come to you and attempt to wrestle the food from you. I was warned as incidents had happened in the past, and although funny, not so if you are on the receiving end of a baboons bite because you did not share your food with him.
I was mentally prepared and ready to tackle this hill with a vengeance, but cramp started to creep into both calves. I had never in the whole time of training ever had cramp so where on earth did this come from? I stretched the calves and went up the hill at 3/4 pace. I was a little perturbed that I could not attack the hill harder but the little sense I still had told me to hold back and I did. No Problems. The cramps eventually eased and then went away.
Half Way
As we crested the hill we reached the half way mark. I was still feeling pretty good, in fact better than I had predicted but knew we still had half a race to go and 2 big climbs to come which were near the end and back to back. We were heading back so now had the wind from the side and behind, another hurdle out of the way. It was now a very fast down hill for about 5 miles with speeds of up to 45 mile per hour, fantastic. Like little kids we all opened it up to the max trying to out do each other. Again the adrenalin was pumping. I now know why I was enjoying myself so much as at the age of 41 years old I felt young again and no police to tell you off for speeding. Go, boy, Go!
The Coastal Route Home
Soon we were back down at sea level and riding through a place called Misty Cliffs.
This place is usually shrouded in mist due to the cold Atlantic sea and warm air. But not today, although not as bright as down the other side we had just ridden - the mist had stayed away. A pleasant surprise as a group of cyclist riding through mist for a couple of miles could be fun.....I think not. This part of the race I found a bit boring and I did notice others taking some time out to engage in conversation and even gave the supporters on the road side a wave and return banter.
Went through a few more small hills and soon we were coming up to the second main hill. I had also been primed that when starting the approach to this hill there is a pre-cursor to the main climb which catches everyone out as it puts enough hurt into the legs before the main climb. With this in mind and with my food and fluids consumed I prepared my self mentally for the next stage.
Chapman's Peak - Climb
The group attacked the small pre-climb and I went with them like a man possessed and then down again before our next challenge, the main climb, - hill number 2. Well just about to start it as cramp started again. Again did my stretches on the calves while still cycling and it went away. As I started the second hill the bike felt as if the brake blocks were still on so checked the front brakes and they were Ok. So I stopped to check the rear brakes and strange as it may seem they were Ok too! Well I had just hit the wall (metaphorically), a big lesson learnt. Too hard too early and with this in mind I tackled the second hill blocking out the pain and that my bike would not go. Again I had been primed that there is a false top to this climb. I had driven in the car the previous day and knew exactly what to look out for. I heard riders around me asking if that was the top. Sadly I had to tell them no as we pumped our heavy legs through the circle for the umpteenth time. There were many cyclists who had opted to get off the bike and walk as they had had enough of riding this hill on their bike. No way was I getting off. I was soon to be greeted at the top of a hill by many a collapsed cyclists taking a rest. If I had stopped, I probably would not get going again so I pressed on only to be slowed down by a cyclist lying in the middle of the road with a neck brace on and an ambulance on standby to take him away.
The Howling Wind
The wind was blowing down the mountain so hard it was playing havoc with the cyclists trying to ride around the mountain as it came from the side. Now alerted to the fact it was going to be a dangerous descent in the wind I stayed on the road closest to the mountain and stayed out of trouble (which was in fact on the opposite side of the road but fortunately closed to traffic). I passed a further 4 cyclists who had fallen due to the wind conditions. One chap had his face grazed all down one side, not a pretty sight. I actually saw a cyclist in front of me get blown across the road side ways from one side of the road to almost the other side where there were no road barriers and a steep drop of about 300 feet to the sea. That certainly gave me a fright. At the bottom across the flat 2 mile section and immediately into the third main hill. My calves were fine until I tried to cycle the hill.
The Last Climb - Suikerbossie - 2.2Km @ 8%
Well I was in much pain but not going to stop. By now many cyclists had got off there bicycles to push up the hill. This hill attracts a lot of road side supporters who help the cyclists in every way to conquer what seems a mammoth climb. Some push, some throw water, some offer ice, bananas, juice, and chocolate, what ever but the spirit is absolutely fantastic. I actually felt I was riding one of the climbs in the Tour de France although the hill is not what it is in the tour. This is due to the closeness of the people on the road and as you progress slowly up the hill they step back to allow you past, still shouting encouragement to every single cyclist on that hill. This made me feel better. Soon topped the last main hill and it was a long fast descent to the finish.
My Promise
As I crested that last hill Suikerbossie (Sugar bush), I had made a promise to come back and ride this race again in 2006. Strange as it may seem just having gone through a lot of pain and still not yet finished the current race, which was to be a one off, I had made this decision already. I guess it was mainly due to the atmosphere and the crowd support for the riders. The spectators certainly made my day as the amount of support you get from them around the whole route is absolutely fantastic. I received ice cubes from a guy when going up the last hill, Suikerbossie, as my mouth was parched and gooey. All in all I had a great race and had a fantastic time and more importantly no accidents or near accidents.
The Finish
The last 8 miles were mainly down hill and although rather tired I pushed as hard as I could, draining all the energy left from my body. Sadistic as it may seem the buzz of riding along side others doing the same thing as fast as you could made it all the more pleasurable, that is until someone comes tearing past you at a rate of knots which then suddenly makes you want to go faster......but I am Maxed out.....Oh hell just keep going then. It is not until you hit the flat beach front road of about 3 miles that you realise there is absolutely no energy left. My legs felt like lead. But from some where I managed to get myself to sprint to the finish. Over the final timing mat to end all my pain and then the joy flooded into my body making it all worth while. The crowds watching at the finish just added to the atmosphere.
All in all, I saw about 4 accidents, one of which was the one I wrote about above, the others involved 2 or 3 cyclists. I saw about 1000 or so cyclists walking on the hills and about 40 or 50 who had to give up the race due to mechanical bike failure. Well with the job done all I needed to know is what time I had done officially. Well 3 hours and 42 mins 11 seconds. All the cyclists who had ridden the Cape Argus a number of times and pretty much knew what time they would expect, said their times were between 10 and 15 mins slower due to the wind which certainly made me feel great as I was trying for a time between 3:30 and 3:45 and I did 3:42. Had there been no wind I probably would have done about 3:32 or even a sub 3:30. I was ecstatic.
Bring on next year. Training starts after my holiday.
Now where's that brother of mine... He completed the race in a respectable 3 hours and 18 mins which would have given him about 3 hours 8 mins without the wind. Well done my little brother.
Ian Lowe
Now a proud and dedicated Thames Velo rider (old in years but young on the bike).