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 →
