Cape Town experiences a major
transformation in March. The City is teeming with out-of-towners and
tourists. Cycling becomes the transport mode of choice. Those that do not
cycle drive with bike racks on their cars. And an alarming number of men
walk around with shaved legs.
This is Cycle Tour season - when
Cape Town hosts an eleven-day cycling extravaganza, which includes the
world’s largest timed cycling event.
The week-and-a-half running up
to the 31st Cape Argus Pick n Pay Cycle Tour on Sunday, 9 March, is
jam-packed with a variety of cycling action.
28 February – 2 March: The
first official Cycle Tour Kid’s Life Expo takes place at Canal Walk
Shopping Centre, with exhibitors ranging from education, nutrition,
cycling, sport, fashion and kids’ lifestyle. This will be a great
meeting place for families while entering their children into the Junior
or Tricycle Tour, and a fantastic way to promote a healthy and active
lifestyle among children.
1 March: The excitement starts
on Saturday when thousands of youngsters between two and twelve will flock
to Youngsfield Military Base in Ottery for the much-anticipated Cape Argus
Pick n Pay Tricycle and Junior Tours (presented by Bonaqua and Spur Steak
Ranches respectively).Over 2,000 children are expected to participate in
the 1,5km, 5km and 10km rides.
2 March: Things will take a
muddy turn when about 3,500 mountain bikers are expected to gather at
Boschendal Wine Estate on Sunday. The event features four route options
for the participants – ranging from a flat and easy 13km to an ultra tough
55km marathon – and lots to see and do for supporters, making this the
perfect family outing.
4 March: The first stage of the
MTN Giro del Capo officially kicks off in Wellington. This five-stage
international stage race will take local and international professional
cycling teams through the heart of the Boland and the Durbanville
Winelands, before they tackle the final hill-climb up Signal Hill on
Saturday, 8 March.
5 - 8 March: Every year, over
70,000 people flock to the Lifecycle Expo, SA’s largest cycling, health
and fitness expo. This is where Cycle Tour participants finalise their
registration and do some last-minute shopping before Race Day. This year
also sees the launch of the Wellcare Centre, a centralised “clinic” where
individuals can undergo numerous health tests, including cholesterol,
blood pressure and fitness tests. Participants have the added benefit of
having the test results linked to their race number, giving medical
professionals up-to-date information in any Race Day emergency situation.
9 March: Undoubtedly the
highlight of Lifecycle Week, the Cape Argus Pick n Pay Cycle Tour takes
35,000 cyclists of all ages, shapes and sizes along 109km of the of the
Cape Peninsula’s most scenic roads – a great percentage of which run
through a nature reserve and world heritage site.
But Cycle Tour is much more than
a mass participation event that attracts cyclists from around the globe.
All Cycle Tour proceeds go to charity, benefiting hundreds of community
organisations and initiatives – from schools and children’s homes to
skills and cycling development. Last year, R3-million was shared between
the Pedal Power Association and The Rotary Club of Claremont.
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