Excitement is bubbling over in the local cycling community as many locals ready themselves for this weekend’s Cape Argus Pick n Pay Cycle Tour.
Excitement is bubbling over in the local cycling community as many locals ready themselves for this weekend’s Cape Argus Pick n Pay Cycle Tour.
Some have spent months preparing for the 109km road event this Sunday.
Even more reason to get giddy is the arrival of the Saints and Sinners Cycling Club vests yesterday, just in time for the new local club to be represented in their smart new kit.
Other kit arriving in the past few days were the Grahamstown Hospice cycling tops, which were sponsored by Makana Brick.
These tops are for cyclists who entered the Argus as a charity and who will enjoy a few benefits, including an early start group, in Sunday’s race.
At the same time the charity riders have raised money for Grahamstown Hospice.
More good news for the cyclists is that they won’t take on Boyes Drive this year as the race returns to Muizenberg Main Road for the first time since 2008, taking cyclists past the charming seaside town of St James and the buzzing fishing and artist haven Kalk Bay.
The Cape Town Cycle Tour Trust, organisers of the event, have worked closely with the contractors handling the roadworks to ensure the road surface is smooth and wide enough for the event.
“We still urge cyclists to take caution as they ride through the Kalk Bay area – there is a slight narrowing of the road and cyclists will be funnelled to the left side. We therefore ask cyclists to keep to the left and take extra care in this area to ensure a safe ride for all participants,” says Renée Jordaan, operational director of the Trust.
The organisers have also turned the refreshment station at Chapman’s Peak into an oasis of respite and rejuvenation.
“There’ll also be physios to help massage out any cramps, and Mediclinic medical support for those that need it. And with the breath-taking scenery of the area, the Chappies Oasis should also make for excellent photo opportunities,” Jordaan said.
The 36th Cape Argus Pick n Pay Cycle Tour will see an expected 35 000 cyclists line up in Hertzog Boulevard to take part in this year’s race.
From its humble beginnings in the 1970s, the Cycle Tour has become one of the most popular mass participation sporting events in the world and is a permanent fixture on the calendars of professional and recreational cyclists worldwide.
Every year local riders are joined by international visitors who are keen to experience the beauty, drama and excitement of this amazing race.
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