Cape Argus - South Africa

trasver

Hi all

As an Irishman who's just moved to Cape Town I'm using the cape argus as motivator to get me cycling and also as an opportunity to raise some money for some local charities here.

http://www.cycletour.co.za/exploreRoute.aspx

It's a 110k cycle race with ~35,000 participants. The length probably isn't the issue it's the profile! Around and over some of the foothills of table mountain so not a stroll in the park by any means.

While I'm relatively fit I'm not a regular cyclist but it really appeals to me.

Can anybody point me in the direction of a suitable training schedule to get myself and my wife prepared for an event such as this? Is there something similar for cycling to the couch to 5k that's very popular for starting running?

Thanks in advance for any advice!

Simon

blorg

At root, just get out there and start cycling, upping the distance by around 10% a week to reach close to the distance you are targetting a few weeks before and taper a bit before the event itself; don't do much the week previous. Cycling is weight-supported so the potential for injury (while certainly still there) is not as great as running.

The Argus Tour is a great event, like a marathon I believe, so you can get around it in your own time.

trasver

Nice one that sounds great, thanks so much for your solid advice...looking forward to getting out there now!

giannip

Trasver,where are you living?

You could join up with some of the groups who will be starting their "World Champs" training soon

The route map looks to be back to the original, I.e. via Chapmans Peak.

The Argus is not hard compared to other sprortifs but it's usually the wind and speed that gets people.

Going up Smitswinkel will be the first real test, (if you're in a group, this would have pulled you along nicely up to this point).

You then have Chappies, which is the longest of the hills but again pretty fast. Then a nice long downhill, through Hout Bay and the sting in the tail of Suikerbossie.

Luckily this is where most of the crowds gather to have their braai and encourage the cyclist.

After that, another long downhill into Camps Bay and homeward run.

A LOT of people who never cycle, do this every year just for the challenge. You'll see people in all sorts of costumes, riding unicycles, penny farthings etc.

It's great fun but I would suggest being at least fit enough to do 60-80km on your own , to enjoy the day, especially as the wind picks up later in the day and that's when the majority of the "fun" riders will be on the course.

trasver

Cheers for that giannip

I'm living on woodbridge island out in Milnerton, am hoping the start of my training will be trying to commute to work in Belville but with the mental traffic/drivers around I'm not sure if this will be a runner!

Having driven Chapmans peak a few times my legs hurst just thinking about it!

I suppose I could be waterboy for the world champ guys!!

Cheers

Simon

giannip

trasver wrote: »

Cheers for that giannip

I'm living on woodbridge island out in Milnerton, am hoping the start of my training will be trying to commute to work in Belville but with the mental traffic/drivers around I'm not sure if this will be a runner!

Having driven Chapmans peak a few times my legs hurst just thinking about it!

I suppose I could be waterboy for the world champ guys!!

Cheers

Simon

Hi Trasver

Yep, I know Milnerton well. Some family lives there (I'm from Stellenbosch).

I wouldn't suggest cycling to work if you can get out pre or post work.

Most people would go before work and now that summer is arriving, you should be able to get out at around 5:30 and join in with a group.

Then you now you've done your workout for the day.

I have a friend (he's a cycling coach) who works in Milnerton and I can ask him if he knows of any groups nearby ?

trasver

Cheers giannip

That's be great if you could check with your mate and see what he knows that's around the area (bearing in mind of course that we're complete beginners!!)

Thanks

Simon

giannip

trasver wrote: »

Cheers giannip

That's be great if you could check with your mate and see what he knows that's around the area (bearing in mind of course that we're complete beginners!!)

Thanks

Simon

No hassle. Check this club out

http://www.theoutriders.co.za/AboutUs/tabid/344/Default.aspx