Cycling in Cape Town
When most people think of a bike race, it's the European Tour de France that comes to mind, however, the Cape Argus cycle race in South Africa holds the claim to be the world's largest, with more than 40,000 competitors each year.
The Cape Argus Pick n Pay Cycle Tour, the first bike event outside Europe to be included in the International Cycling Union's Golden Bike Series, winds along a 109km route from Cape Town through the Cape Peninsula. Starting in Cape Town city centre, competitors finish in Green Point after having gone through a number of local towns and landmarks including False Bay, Simon's Town, Scarborough, Kommetjie and Suikerbossie Hill.
The race was first organised in 1978 to draw attention to a major lack of cycle paths in South Africa and has been an annual event ever since. It is one of five cycling events that take place over a period of one week.
Holidays in South Africa aren't only for serious cyclists, as long distance runners and swimmers also get their day in the sun.
The Comrades Marathon is the world's oldest and most popular ultramarathon - a race that is roughly 60 miles (or 90 kilometres long) and takes runners between Pietermaritzburg, the capital of the Kwazulu-Natal Province, and Durban, the largest city in that province. Each year the race alternates starting and finishing city.
Just north of Pietermaritzburg is the Midmar Dam which is the location of the Midmar Mile swimming event. Each year thousands of entrants - from Olympic medallists to recreational swimmers - embark upon the waters to take part in the world's largest open water swimming event. Although the race is always one mile long, the length swum varies each year depending on level of rainfall - in years with low water levels competitors start with a sprint scramble across muddy banks until they reach water suitable for swimming.
Despite the wide variety of endurance races in the country, Cape Town flights are the usual South Africa trip chosen by cyclists. As well as the Cape Argus race, the city also hosts the Cape Epic which is a nine-day mountain bike race that is completed in pairs. Unlike other races in the country, each year the route is newly designed. This race is open to amateur riders but because of the high entry price and the low number of spaces it is normally reserved for serious cyclists or those who raise money through sponsorship. In 2008, 1200 cyclists started the race.
About the Author:
Isla Campbell writes for a digital marketing agency. This article has been commissioned by a client of said agency. This article is not designed to promote, but should be considered professional content.