2012 Argus strategy

Goal time: sub 4 hours

Previous PB: 4h45m

Reasons to go fast		Reasons not to go fast
New bike	4km/h faster	Poor weather conditions	Lose 3km/h?
Route experience		Mechanical failure	Lose 20-30 mins
Diet experience		Poor nutrition on day	End race
Good weather conditions		Crash	End race
Earlier start time	Add 10 mins
Faster riders in group	Add 3km/h
Group riding skills	Add

Sustained average speed over 110 km:  = 28km/h

Previous sustained average speed: 23.2km/h

Route Profile

End of M3	21
Boyes Drive	26
Kalk Bay	30
Glencairn	36
Simon’s Town	40
Millers Point	46
Smitswinkel	50
Perdekloof	59
Misty Cliffs	65
Noordhoek	80
Chapmans Peak	85
Hout Bay	91
Suikerbossie	95
Maiden’s cove	103
Green Point	110

Splits (240 minutes to use)

Marker	Distance	Mins to arrive	Stage time
End of M3	21	45m	45m
Boyes Drive	26
Kalk Bay	30
Glencairn	36
Simon’s Town	40	85m	40m
Millers Point	46
Smitswinkel	50	107m	22m
Perdekloof	59
Misty Cliffs	65
Noordhoek	80	171m	64m
Chapmans Peak	85
Hout Bay	91	195m	24m
Suikerbossie	95
Maiden’s cove	103
Green Point	110	235m	40m

Breakdown

Marker	Distance	Mins to arrive	Stage time
End of M3	21	45m	45m

From the start of the race to the arrival at the end of the M3 will be fast. Groups will be big, and energy levels will be at the highest for the day. The temptation will be to exceed the average pace, and this is permissible only if it does not require muscular strain. Freewheeling and bombing of the hills is fine, as is clever drafting on the blue route. Avoid strain on Edinburgh Drive (the first hill). Have fun and enjoy the crowds and support. Arrive at the end of the blue route within 45 minutes, with NO feeling of strain or exertion.

Keywords: Relax, conserve, draft.

Marker	Distance	Mins to arrive	Stage time
Boyes Drive	26
Kalk Bay	30
Glencairn	36
Simon’s Town	40	85m	40m

This leg starts with the climb over Boyes Drive. This can be a tough climb and I must expect to encounter the first blast of the South Easter. Speed will definitely drop over boyes drive due to bunching, headwinds and hills. If there is extra time in the bag from the blue route, then it can be used here. At the shark spotters, climb back on the bus. Drafting will be important after Fish Hoek as the road gets wider, straighter and more level. Stay in a group no matter what. Let them work for me. The wind is the enemy on this leg.

Keywords: Draft, back on bus.

Marker	Distance	Mins to arrive	Stage time
Millers Point	46
Smitswinkel	50	107m	22m

From Jubilee Square to the top of Smitswinkel is a steady climb, but one I’ve done many times. Others will be slacking off either at or directly after the water point. I mustn’t worry about them. This is my race. This is where I turn the screws. Smitswinkel is a trek and it will be ok to feel ragged and out of breath. But it is not ok for my legs to start talking back to me at this stage. This 10km stretch is my first killing field. Average speed will drop to sub 24km/h here, and this is acceptable.

Approaching Smitswinkel, the headwind (if any, will drop as the gradient rises). Attack Smitswinkel at 16km/h and be at the top in no more than 25 minutes.

Keywords: Killing field, strong legs.

Marker	Distance	Mins to arrive	Stage time
Perdekloof	59
Misty Cliffs	65
Noordhoek	80	171m	64m

From the top of Smitswinkel the pace will quicken dramatically. This is an almost effortless leg. I don’t want to feel any exertion at least until misty cliffs. The trick will in staying safe over the rough road surfaces. Don’t worry about groups at this point, but look for one towards misty cliffs because the short hop over to Kommetjie will be felt. Use the break to appreciate the joy of speed.

The slog from Kommetjie to Noordhoek will re-introduce the almost forgotten south easter headwind. This is expected, but if I’m early, this won’t be as big of a factor in past years. If so, pounce! Find a rider who matches the golden 30km/h target pace and work together. Possibly communicate. Rehydrate and zone out during the grind, because everyone will have to go through it. There is an hour to reach Chappies from Smitswinkel, which is exactly 30kms in distance. Gains here can be used on Chappies.

The Kommetjie – Noordhoek leg is killing field 2.

Keywords: Recovery, joy, grit.

Marker	Distance	Mins to arrive	Stage time
Chapmans Peak	85
Hout Bay	91	195m	24m

This is a slow stage, and the first time it will be ok to feel the deeper lingering burn in my legs. An 11km stage, but the speed is going to drop to average 17km/h. Expect this… Remember that chappies is not actually that hard of a hill, and relish passing all of those people!

Once over chappies, climb back on the 30km/h bus but do so by freewheeling and pedalling lightly. No need to bomb, but don’t get cold. Arrive at the bottom of suikerbossie in good spirits – almost home!

Beware cross winds on the down-side of chappies and the hill through Hout Bay. If there are groups at this stage, find them and use any advantage available even though there won’t be any wind. This is an 11km stage with an average speed target of 20km/h.

Keywords: Earn the pain, relax, cannibal.

Marker	Distance	Mins to arrive	Stage time
Suikerbossie	95
Maiden’s cove	103
Green Point	110	235m	40m

No strategy here, just ride it in. Stamp on pedals at Maidens cove and once above glen beach, take it home!

At the top of Ssuikerbossie, look at the splits. Llandudno to home takes under 30 minutes. I need to be at the top of Suikerbossie at 03h30.

Keywords: Strong finish

Actual average speed requirements

Milestone	Distance	Ave Speed	Time
Edinburgh Drive	1.5	17	0.09
Boyes Drive	3	16	0.19
Simon’s Town	6	23	0.26
Smitswinkel	5	17	0.29
Kommetjie	10	23	0.43
Chappies	6	16	0.38
Suikerbossie	3	14	0.21
Maidens Cove	0.5	17	0.03
Climbing	35	17.88	1.88
Remainder	75	35.45	2.12