Here in the Cape
hardly any conversation goes by without a discussion of the ARGUS CYCLE TOUR. You don’t have the drive far before running
into cyclists doing their last training at all hours of the day. The weather forecasts are being studied and
best diets and drinks to take before and during the race are being
discussed.
One our MSA TEAM cyclists, Gary Evans,
wrote the following to give us an insight into a recent early morning training
session;
“Woken by the alarm at 5 am on a Saturday
morning is not the way to wake up in a happy and stimulating mood, but the
thought of training for the 109 km Argus road race and riding for MSA is enough
to get anybody out of bed in a hurry…..
Bicycles on the car-rack, energy
bars and juice packed, we leave for Delvera wine estate near Stellenbosch to
cycle the Dirtopia route.
The day is dawning, with the sun
peaking behind the mountains and the silence in the car on the way there tells
a story of tired bodies and tired legs. We unpack the bikes and head out into
the mountains.
The energy and enthusiasm comes back
the further we ride and the saddle starts to feel like the lounge chair, legs
pumping the pedals, and we reach our first drink-stop. The view is awesome and
getting out of bed early is a distant memory.
The fresh air is our “drug” for the
day.
We rode 12 km, but climbed 534m.
Great strength training for us novices, and as we returned to the car the
thoughts of a coffee and a muffin were in most our minds. Isn't
that what we get out of bed for?”
Thank you Gary
Traffic on all main routes towards
the Cape will increase over the next couple of
days, with many vehicles coming from all over the country, all with loaded tell-tale
bicycle racks. Airport personnel will
have there hands full dealing with boxed bicycles that need to be reunited with
owners. Restaurants and guest houses
will be filled with excited cyclists awaiting race day with trepidation.
Organising a race of this magnitude (an
expected 35 000 cyclists) takes expert planning and Cape Town
Amanda Erlank, the organiser of the MSA CYCLE TEAM, and the rest of the team, has been invited to the Woolworths hospitality
tent at the finish where they will be pampered and spoilt after the gruelling
race.
The funds raised were donated to the
MSA Trust in UK
“Dear Amanda,
I just wanted to drop you a line to thank you for your kind donation of
£180 to the MSA Trust, in aid of the South Africa
As you are aware, as a small charity we rely entirely on voluntary
donations to continue our vital work, supporting all those affected by the
devastating disease MSA. Your generosity will enable us to continue growing our
support group services, expand our specialist nurse programme, and reach more
people touched by MSA. Thank you.
Please do not hesitate to contact me should you require any further
information on our work.
With best wishes,
Katie”
It’s heart warming to know that this
team’s effort is recognised and will make a difference to the lives of patients.
The race begins at the Cape Town
Civic Centre in Hertzog Boulevard False Bay
coast past the entrance to Cape Point, then the Atlantic coast and the
Chapman's Peak road to the Cape Town Stadium.
Our MSA CYCLE TEAM will start their race at 9.16. We wish these brave cyclists the best of luck
on race day and will be cheering for you and willing you up Chapman’s Peak and the
dreaded Suikerbossie hill!
THE TEAM: Amanda Erlank, Abdul Atta, Adri vd Merwe, Anton Titus, Audrey
Mallett , Charlotte Kriel, Gary Evans, Maahir Berhardien,
Margaretha Steyn, Mari vd Merwe, Michelle van Rooyen, Zarier Behardien.
Some Argus Cycle Tour facts;
The fastest winning time was 2:27:29 (Robbie Hunter in 2008)
The fastest average speed was 47.48 km / h (Wimpie van der Merwe 1993).
The oldest person to complete the bike tour, was 92 (Japie Malan in
2012).
The race was cancelled twice in the past due to bad weather - heat in
2002 and strong wind in 2009.
