How tough was the Argus Cycletour?

For those of you who missed my live Twitter feed as I struggled around this year's Argus Pick n Pay Cycletour click here for pictorial journal of my progress.

While it must be made clear that this year I was as unfit as I have ever been, this years tour was by all accounts toughest of the seven I have completed and would have been even if I had done a few km.s training. The gale force winds had a huge effect on all participants. Exactly how much of an effect is illustrated by the following statistics just in.

Target time Equivalent 2009 “Storm” time

2:45 actual 3:10

3:00 actual 3:35

3:15 actual 3:55

3:30 actual 4:20

3:45 4:45

4:00 actual 5:05

4:15 actual 5:25

4:30 actual 5:45

5:00 actual 6:25

5:30 actual 7:10

6:00 actual 8:00

In 2008, 1781 people did a “Sub-3”. In 2009 there were only 111. In 2008, 12844 people did a sub-4. In 2009 there were 4467. In 2008, 21765 people did a sub-5. In 2009 there were 12077.


Of the 73 start groups, only 2 made it through the first 100m without anyone crashing.

CycleTour entries to close soon

Those of you wishing to take part in next years PicknPay/Argus cycletour, better move fast. The date has been set for 9 March 2008 and entries are limited to the first 35000.
While this may sound like a lot, entries opened midday on the 1st September and as of today (11 September) they had filled close to 90% of the available spots, you can do the math.
There has been a little controversy on the cumulative cost of the tour this time round. But anyone who has taken part in this event will know that there is very little that compares to it ... and the obligatory massage afterwards.

If you are even thinking about maybe doing it, perhaps. Do yourself a favour , click here and enter. You will not regret it ... your bum might, and probably you legs, but it will all be worth it.

Related post : The Cycletour