Theme: Biking
35 000 people cycle this picturesque bicycle race from Cape Town in March every year. It is just over 100km, around the peninsula and close to Cape Point, then along Chapman's Peak drive, back to Cape Town. People are grouped into starting groups depending on their seeding based on previous cycle races that they have finished (only 60% of the field is seeded, and the unseeded riders start latest), and the groups start from the Cape Town City Centre. The route goes up and down on the highway past Groote Schuur hospital, Cape Town University; along a very social section through Fish hoek, Kalk Bay, Simonstown; then onto the quieter part of the route past the Cape Point nature reserve and then through the tiny village of Scarborough; towards Kommetjie (with one of the best beaches on this planet - but you can't stop here); then onto the magnificent and energy sapping Chapman's Peak, down towards Hout Bay, over a sneaky hill called Suikerbossie towards the sophisticated set in Camps Bay and Clifton; and then on to the finish, where you can get yourself a beer. International entries are normally accepted well after the closing of the event for locals (in 2008, you can enter right up until the Saturday before the race!) Locals log on to their website within a few days to weeks after the entries open if they want to get a place.
The winning time for is 2 hours 32 minutes (for men), and about 1300 people do the race in a sub-3 hour. The average time is 4 hours for men and 4 hours 40 minutes for women. I'm not telling you MY time. Average age is 40 years - that's where I am on par with average. If you finish within 7 hours, you get a certificate.
All funds raised go to non-profit organisations: Rotary, and the Pedal Power Organisation.
Equipment: Bicycle - although this is a road race, there are many people who do it with a mountain bike. No helmet no ride.
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Phone: +27 (0)21 685 6551
Address: Cape Town and Cape Peninsula
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on Nov 11, 2007
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