Why you want to be a road cyclist in Cape Town

Cape Town is an incredible city. No doubt. No arguments.Just incredible.

Adapting its sights into everyday activities, professional activities and even workday commutes, there’s hardly ever a reason to complain about the views around you.

Whether you’re in the city, along the coasts, inland, in the wine valleys or out by the mountains – there is always something to admire.

With this in mind, being a road cyclist in Cape Town gives you great access to these amazing views and you will never be short of a cafe around the corner for a bit of breakfast or a mid-ride coffee.

Routes

Some great routes to ride around the Mother City and her Western Cape borders include:

• Chapmans Peak Drive: This is a popular training route for road cyclists when preparing for, well let’s be honest, any road race in Cape Town. The chances of you bagging a completely flat race route is not worth it when there are beautiful view-based rewards at the top.

• Stellenbosch R44 and Helshoogte Pass to Franschhoek: You’re looking at about a 40km road route here (excluding the distance it takes you to get en route) and you can look forward to mountain scenery and winelands country. The overlooking view at the top of Helshoogte is way worth the steep climb.

• Simons Town to Smitwinkels Bay: If you’re a sea-lover, then this coastal route is for you. Not to mention that you’re right by the Cape Point Nature Reserve if you wish to extend your route a bit. Take in False Bay in all it’s glory as you cycle through the little towns along the coast. Nothing like fresh ocean air to keep you going.

• Camps Bay to Llandudno: Find yourself cycling between the Table Mountain wonder of the world and the South Atlantic Ocean for a best-of-both sighting experience as you travel the coastline on two-wheels.

The Cape Town Cycle Tour

Other than the Tour de France, there are few road bike races that can equal that of the Cape Town Cycle Tour (CTCT). It is the largest timed cycle race in the World and you can be sure that there are no weather conditions or views that can match this 109km cycling route around Cape Town.

For incredible sights, size and support the CTCT and attracts both local and international cyclists for the event and overall vibe. As this year (2017) would have seen the 40th Cape Cycle Tour but it was cancelled due to ridiculously dangerous wind conditions, 2018 is already creating a new hype around it with a #40Take2 hashtag.

11 March 2018 – be there as a supporter, a rider or a Curious George scouting out the route and competition for the next one.

But do remember

As with any area you cycle in, you need to practice spatial awareness and be alert on the roads. Your safety should be your priority. Make sure you are kitted out with Chris Willemse Cycles’ bright cycling jackets to make sure that you’re visible on the road, cycle with lights on during day and night rides and be prepared to experience Cape Town’s unique ability of bringing your four seasons in one cycle. It’s also a good idea to cycle in groups. There is safety in numbers and it also makes it more fun and even competitive.

Cape Town is on a mission to make its roads and routes more bicycle-friendly. There’s no denying the popularity and gathering of cyclists in this city and the need for cycling safety on the roads that go beyond the “Think bike 1m rule”. It’s also a means of encouraging commuters to cycle to work as opposed to polluting the roads with cars. Regardless of the motivation, it will also make your life easier as a road cyclist to have less cars on the road or more awareness of cyclist etiquette for drivers.

The playing field between road cycling and mountain bike riding in the Western Cape are relatively even. It all depends on the type of cycling experience you’re looking for. If whizzing through interesting towns, stopping for local curios and taking in the Capetonian culture is what tickles your helmet hair, then road cycling is for you. But if you’re into a more hands-on and technical nature experience through different terrain and challenging routes, then try your hand at mountain biking.