In order to stimulate Tourism in the Western Cape, a new Cycling Route between Cape Town and Plettenberg Bay is to be established over a five-year period, Western Cape Minister of Tourism Alan Winde has announced. It will contribute to his goal of attracting 100000 cycle tourists to the province every year.
The project is a joint venture between the Continue reading →
Today the 11th ABSA Cape Epic gets off the ground, the world’s ‘premier mountain biking challenge’, according to the Weekend Argus. A total of 1200 riders will participate in the tough 718 km race, described on its Twitter Bio as ‘The Untamed African Mountain Bike Race’, covering a unique route each year. It receives extensive local and international media coverage, attracting attention to the rugged beauty of the Winelands.
Cape Epic organiser Kevin Vermaak had the vision to create a cycle challenge from Knysna to Cape Town over eight days, beginning with 200 riders in 2004. Today the race starts at Meerendal wine estate in Durbanville, and the journey takes the riders through Arabella Wines in Robertson, The Oaks in Greyton, Oak Valley wine estate in Elgin, and finishes off on 30 March at Lourensford wine estate in Somerset West. A tent village is set up for the riders at the end of each day.
The race has a total prize value of R1,7 million, and the prize for the fastest woman rider has been increased to R690000. Famous participants today are Formula 1 world champion Alain Prost; former Springbok rugby captain John Smit and former Springboks Continue reading →
Cape Town and the Winelands region is rolling in cyclists visiting to participate in one or more of a host of cycling events from today onwards. As more and more cyclists are taking to the road, often selfishly to the detriment of motorists, anger is building up from motorists against cyclists.
Today the Bestmed Tour de Boland commences, and will be ridden in four stages of 121 – 145 km per day over the next four days. The race begins in Franschhoek and stage one ends at Helshoogte Pass; stage 2 is from Stellenbosch to Tulbagh; stage 3 covers Tulbagh to Riebeek Kasteel; and the last stage of the race is ridden from Riebeek Kasteel to the Franschhoek Pass. The organisers want to offer the road riders a good challenge on a European cycle race standard combined with the best of beautiful Boland views.
On Sunday the 37th Cape Argus Pick ‘n Pay Momentum Cycle Tour takes place, with 35000 cyclists participating in what has become the world’s largest timed cycle race. Most of the Cape Town city centre will be closed to traffic on Sunday morning, and all of Victoria Road from Hout Bay through Camps Bay to Bantry Bay and Beach Road in Sea Point is closed to traffic for the whole day, the race starting in the city centre and ending at the Cape Town Stadium. The event generates R450 million for the economy of the Western Cape, says provincial Tourism Minister Alan Winde.
The ABSA Cape Epic takes place from 23 – 30 March, a tough endurance race covering picturesque areas in the Cape Winelands, and generates about R218 million for the province.
Most cyclists have left their getting fit to the last minute, and are taking to the city streets to get ready for Sunday. Many Continue reading →
Tourism, Food, and Wine news headlines
* The ban on taking liquids on board flights is said to be lifted in the European Union from January. Special scanners at airports will be able to test liquids.
* ‘Silver Surfers’ are an important tourist segment, the 50+ year olds estimated to represent 30% of travelers in the UK, USA, and South East Asia by 2018. Almost half of all Apple product purchasers are members of this segment, 35% of them travel in Europe, 42 % book travel online, and 68% use Facebook.
* The ABSA Cape Epic has been nominated for the Discovery Sport Industry Awards in the Sport Participation Event of the Year category.
* The T20 Tourism Ministers of the G20 countries have agreed to push for better visa facilitation, to stimulate tourism, and the employment of staff in the industry.
* Bistro Sixteen82 has returned to its summer Tapas dinner menu. ‘The Tapas: Summer 2013‘ menu is a combination of classic Spanish tapas Patatas Bravas and Empandillas; Mexican Albondigas and a spicy black Beans dish; Fish Balls, No Lettuce salad, Anti Pasti platter, Profiteroles, and Chocolate Whities. (received via Communications Services Africa)
* Aerolineas Argentinas has not denied that it may take over Continue reading →