Argus: expo

Day 1 of the Argus expo, and already the crowds are streaming in. Cars are parked on sidewalks, centre islands and verges. The Giro del Capo riders are hammering away in the Winelands. Lance Armstrong is out on group rides, showing his face at dinner and breakfast and visiting cancer patients.On my way in to Cape Town I pass Eddie Thomlinson, the head of Audax Randonneurs South Africa (sadly, we're both driving). When I call him up to ask if he's heading for France next year, he says, "Of course." Eddie may be heading towards 80, but he's still as keen as ever.

The expo? Well, it's always worth a look, even if only to see if there are any specials. Naturally, I couldn't resist the pack of mini Bar-Ones at R10. I'd have been seriously interested in Chris Willemse's offer of a Continental GP400 at R399 if I hadn't just spent the bulk of that on a transit visa for the UK. R575 to spend 2 hours at Heathrow... sad.
I felt a little better once I'd opened the rider goodie bag. The contents (left) included a large container of Sunsilk anti-dandruff shampoo with matching conditioner, Yardley underarm and matching skin conditioner, snack bar, mini Snickers and Bar-One, copy of Pick n Pay's Good Living, handy Cape Town guide, a couple of flyers, drink bottle and, best of all, 15 bin liners - I ripped the goodie bag to bits opening it, so I really needed the bin liners to carry all my loot from the expo.