EDITORS NOTES
The Cape Town Cycle Tour has been consistently ranked in a number of our surveys as a well organised and well presented event. It has achieved distinction as South Africa’s best loved race. The Tour is a race with heart and for over 30 years funds generated by the Cycle Tour have been ploughed back into the community, giving a hands-up to those who need it most. Working together with Claremont Rotary Club and the Pedal Power Association, thousands of community organisations, individuals from schools and children’s homes, as well as skills-development programmes and development cyclists have benefitted. The Pedal Power Association runs an active programme throughout the year to promote cycling in all its forms. Says PPA's vice-chairperson, Elton Davids, "We spend a substantial portion of the money we receive from the Cycle Tour on cycling development and transformation, safe-cycling initiatives, off-road cycling and various other projects". It all started in 1977 when Bill Mylrea and John Stegmann organised the Big Ride-In to draw attention to the need for cycle paths in Cape Town. The Ride-In, which was held under the auspices of the newly founded Western Province Pedal Power Association (now the Pedal Power Association) was a great success and attracted hundreds of cyclists, including the Mayor of Cape Town. The cyclists met on the Grand Parade and rode down Adderley Street to the Foreshore. This small beginning was the spark that ignited the flame that today is one of the world’s biggest mass-participation events. In 1991, Pick n Pay came on board as naming-rights sponsors and the event became known as the Argus/Pick n Pay Cycle Tour. In that year, the first Expo and Registration took place in the Waterfront SA Maritime Museum. In 1997, the 20th Tour attracted over 30,000 entrants. The Argus newspaper also changed its name to the Cape Argus, which resulted in the Tour being renamed the Cape Argus/Pick n Pay Cycle Tour. The new logo design incorporated an outline of Table Mountain. In 2002, for the first time in its 25-year history, the Tour had to be stopped. Weather predictions for the day were fine and warm, with a maximum temperature of 28°C. However, temperatures soared to 42°C on parts of the route. Upon the recommendation of the medical team, the Tour was stopped at Ou Kaapseweg at approximately 14h45. In 2007 the Tour celebrated its 30th birthday and was blessed with near-perfect weather. Three international cycling greats participated in the 2007 race, Jan Ullrich, Greg LeMond and Steven Rooks – all names synonymous with the Tour de France. The organisers also honoured the "Magnificent Seven" - Neil Bramwell, Louis de Waal, Steph du Toit, Gareth Holmes, Stephen Stefano, Alec Stewart and Neville Yeo – seven riders who have completed every Tour since its inception. Famous past participants include actor Matt Damon, former tennis star Gabriella Sabatini and the most infamous cyclist on earth, you know who. The Cycle Tour celebrates its 40th anniversary in 2017 and forms part of the UCI Golden Bike Series. It was the first Golden Bike event held outside Europe and is arguably the largest timed event in the world, attracting an ever-increasing number of international cyclists, now topping 2,000 riders. The Cape Cycle Tour is one of South Africa’s national treasures. Truly a race to savour. For regular updates follow on Twitter @CycleTourTrust.
Time Limit:
Finishers: 28800
ACCOMODATION