The Cape Town Cycle Tour: Riding for a good cause

By Koketso Mamabolo

This weekend tens of thousands of cyclists of all ages and experience will join together for the 46th Cape Town Cycle Tour. The race offers cycling enthusiasts an opportunity to navigate Cape Town’s scenic road network, including freeways, after a year of preparing for the test of lifetime. With 109 km and 42 km races, cyclists have the opportunity to go at their own pace and enjoy the experience with friends and family.

Charity is a key part of the race, which is organised by the Power Pedal Association and the Rotary Club of Claremont. They have distributed around R50 000 000 in proceeds from the event over the last five years to the communities around the route, stimulating the Cape Peninsula’s economy. The brainchild of an engineer and architect, the tour began as a way to show the authorities the large number of cycling enthusiasts, as a way to encourage them to make the city more cycling friendly with safer routes. More than 40 years later Bill Mylrea and John Stegmann’s idea has turned into the biggest timed bike ride in the world.

“The City of Cape Town is delighted to welcome the cycling world to the Mother City for the 46th installment of the Cape Town Cycle Tour,” said the city’s mayor, Gordon Hill-Lewis. “Aside from the spectacular scenery, with the ride taking in both the False Bay coastline and the Atlantic Ocean coast, this race is also about sharing a wonderfully unique experience with tens of thousands of other cyclists. The spirit and camaraderie of the day make for an unforgettable experience.”

For more information on the route, road closures and the participating charities, visit the Cape Cycle Tour website: capetowncycletour.com