Argus Pick n Pay Cycle Tour 2012

Wow

What  a day that race was intense I have never ridden like that before.

I woke up this morning at 04h08 naturally, just 2 minutes before my alarm pretty crazy that I reckon, had a shower put some coffee on had my first brekkie yummy oats bananas goji berries and some other yummy things. I took that and my coffee and went and gathered myself together for what was ahead.

Then checked all my stuff and free wheeled down to
my girlfriends parents house to catch a lift through with here father, shot Dave. Who actually lent me the bike I am using at the moment an awesome 15 year old avalanche racer that has probably done more Argus cycle tours then me.
Town was mental so many cyclist so many amped people I mean it was unbelievable my hats off too the organizers for pulling it all off amazing.

I started in group X at 7h24 on time wow was was it warm in town how glad I was that i was seeded even if if it was in the last seeded group.
I managed to latch on to a nice group from the word go and we moved, it was a a lot of hard work to get through the crowds starting so far back in the seeded groups lots of shouting involved ( As nicely as possible.) people just don't get that there going to be faster riders I think.

Edinburgh drive we had a close call as one guy stood to climb his chain slipped but he managed to control it well done...
Today M3 was surreal in that I just had my head down and concentrating so hard to push through I saw nothing except the bike in front of me crazy how focused u are.

Boyes  drive, I love that little climb really helps to break the groups up  bit here it started opening up a little and boy did we fly flipping awesome I love the speed you get on these thin little tyres.
Coming down Boyes drive into Kalk Bay all you can smell is burning rubber from overworking brakes and tires, I only had one mishap the whole race my handle bars started to come loose as I came into Kalk bay so I had do do a quick stop in Fish Hoek and tighten them up lucky I carry my bike tool!

 I lost my group but managed to catch them just after Simonstown. I was still feeling strong and legs were great, I wont lie though I was missing the comfort of my Mountain Bike I don't think I will do another argus without her....

Hitting Smitswinkel bay I was already singing SUikerbossie will yo he ha ha. I was using all the road plus even the dirt and laughing and singing to myself cause everything still felt good, I was a bit bleak because I did not make my split for a sub 3 but what can you do there is always next year hey.
From Cape Point on the whole feel changed probably cause in my head I'm know on the home stretch so here even though I was moving I actually started to take in some of the scenery and flip was the swell cranking I was even checking out the tides planning my surf that never came to fruition.

Chappies was a breeze just found it hard to get through the crowds at least it was in the shade and wow do i love that Decent give me speed wee hoo.
Suikerbossie EPIC, guy spraying water u saved me that was exactly what the doctor ordered a quick cool off and power on... I find it amazing how different the atmosphere is earlier I suppose it is also because you pushing it and focused on getting a good time.
It felt great to click up onto the big ring stand up and punish the last part of that hill, I finally found another X rider as we came into Camps bay the first I had seen in a while a good thing I hope.
I found a really good bunch here and we broke away as we climbed out of Camps bay picked up the pace  and head down and go.

The finish what a feeling I was sooo Stoked I almost started crying amazing, amazing race and my best time I came in at 10h48 so that's 3h24 wow like really.
It's the first time my feet actually just went whack I mean like total numbness and pins and needles.
I picked up my medal free coke found a shady spot sat down took off as much as possible  to cool off and Phoned my Girlfriend MEgan Payne you rock thanks for all the support even if you are stuck in Grahamstown you rock my world babe.

Got Hold of Dave my lift, went back too the car changed and then headed back to the event flip was it hot too hot for me.
I spotted Darren Lill at the team Bonitas tent and went and had a catch up with him good chat.

Then tried to find Dave and them but goy over it too hot too many people, I just mission-ed back to the car in the underground parking found a cold shower and chilled....

Well gonna end it off there and hit the sack been a long Awesome day and my best mate is at Kingsbury his wife has gone into labor first kid on the way I want to be fresh for Tomorrow.....
Over and Out.