The Cape Town Cycle Tour, formerly known
as the Cape Argus Cycle Tour is
an internationally-renowned bike race in
it's 41st year. Not only a popular sporting event for cyclists, it
is a tourist attraction that sees an annual boom in the industry
around the
Western Cape.
The next race will be taking place on 11th
March 2018. After the race was postponed last year due to
strong winds.
Known to locals as the Cape Argus, its recent name change to the
Cape Town Cycling Tour was in celebration of its global popularity
and iconic status - being the only competitive cycling event
outside of Europe recognised in the International
Cycling Union's Golden Bike Series.
The event brings in over 35000 cyclists worldwide - who take on
the gruelling 109km route through Cape Town. The race begins in
the
City Bowl and travels along the M3 through
Lakeside and then continues through
Muizenberg,
Kalk Bay and
Fish Hoek along the Main Road. The race then travels along
the coast to
Simonstown and continues through
Scarborough and Ocean View.
Participants will then take the route leading back along the
coastline and uphill on
Chapmans Peak and will then take on the
notorious Suikerbossie Hill. Finally, the
downhill stretch will lead cyclists to the finish line at
Green Point stadium.
The cycle had humble beginnings with its first race occurring in
1978. The event, in association with the Western
Province Pedal Power Association, strove to create
awareness around the issue of cycle paths in Cape Town.
The event was so successful, attracting hundreds of cyclists,
that it was decided that it should be turned into an annually-held
event.
Not merely about the race, The Cape Town Cycling Tour donates
much of its proceeds to charity, to the Pedal Power
Association and the Rotary Club of
Claremont being the race's two official
charities.
A team of at least 2 500 volunteers from an assortment of
organisations take part in the day to make sure everything runs
smoothly and safely and throughout the route there are refreshment
stations and medical points. A hospitality tent and entertainment
and food and refreshment awaits the cyclists and guests at the end
of the race at the
Cape Town Stadium.