Text: Fatima Jakoet. Article from the March 2012 issue of Getaway Magazine.

The iconic Cape Argus Pick n Pay Cycle Tour is once again set to take over the streets of the Mother City. Whether you’re a participant or spectator, use our guide to make your visit a good one.

Each year cyclists from across the world gather in Cape Town to ride the 110-kilometre ‘Argus’, which is the largest individually timed cycling event in the world. This year the race takes place on Sunday, 11 March.

Starting in the city centre in the early hours of the morning, cyclists travel along the M3 towards Boyes Drive with its steep descent into Kalk Bay.

From there, the coastal stretch includes Simon’s Town, Scarborough, Kommetjie and Noordhoek and finally racers will climb Chapman’s Peak before cruising along the coast to the finish line in Green Point.

To help you to make the most of your Cape Town stay, we’ve sourced these must-dos and put together a comprehensive list of things do along the route.

Kalk Bay

The colourful and thriving Kalk Bay Harbour bustles daily as members of the local fishing community go out in their traditional boats hoping for a good catch. The harbour is also a favourite because of the popular lunch spot, Kalky’s, which serves some of the best fish and chips in Cape Town at an affordable price. Tel 021-788-1726.

Kalk Bay Books, an independent bookstore with a view over False Bay, has a unique selection of handpicked fiction and non-fiction books. It often hosts book launches and other events that locals frequent and can become quite busy, especially over weekends. Tel 021-788-2266.

In the Tin Pan Alley off Main Road, The Cook’s Room is filled with retro pieces, collectables, gifts and even silverware and crockery. You can spend ages sorting through the vintage bits and bobs. Tel 021-788-6348.

Kalk Bay reef has a left-point break, which is popular with surfers and body-boarders alike. If you’re not up for the challenge, chill at the Brass Bell and watch them take on the waves. Tel 021-788-5455.

The four-kilometre hiking trail to Kalk Bay Caves starts directly above the harbour (at the Echo Valley sign on Boyes Drive). The caves are safe to explore and well ventilated, but take torches.

Explore Kalk Bay’s Main Road by foot. Pop into any number of the quirky, retro and bohemian stores to peruse their wares and make sure you stop at Ice Café for ice-cream with flavours such as blueberry and cream and ginger and cinnamon. Tel 021-788-4816.

Where to carbo-load

Typical Italian fare such as pizza and pasta is generally a popular choice, so here are some places to get your fix:

Primi Piatti has a vibey atmosphere and delicious pizza, pasta and burgers, and has branches throughout Cape Town, www.primi-piatti.com.

Enjoy mouth-watering pizza and pasta in one of several branches of Col Cacchio. www.colcacchio. co.za.

Bacini’s, in Kloof Street, Gardens, has been serving pizza daily for more than 15 years. Tel 021-423-6668.

Bardelli’s is a casual and comfortable Italian restaurant in Kenilworth. Tel 021-683-1423.

Magica Roma in Pinelands has an excellent reputation for serving authentic Italian food. Booking is essential. Tel 021-531-1489.

There are two branches of Borruso’s, in Rondebosch and Kenilworth. Both are popular, so you may have to wait for a table. Tel 021 – 689-1756 or 021-761-5822.

Nonna Lina in Orange Street in the CBD is a favourite among locals. Tel 021-424-4966, www.nonnalina. com.

II Leone Mastrantonio in Green Point offers high-end Italian dining with an extensive menu. Tel 021- 421-0071, www.gruppomastrantonio.com.

The Pasta Factory in Gardens, Cape Town churns out yummy dishes all day long. Tel 021-423-3003, www.pastafactory.co.za.

Tip: Many athletes have pasta dinners the night before the big event, but don’t overdo it. Eating too much may affect performance, as your digestive system struggles to process the food. Go for tomato-based sauces rather than rich, creamy sauces that are high in fat.

Think bike

Think Bike’s mission is to make the roads safer for two- and three-wheelers by increasing awareness of cycling safety among all road users and encouraging the use of protective gear among bikers, www.thinkbike.co.za.

Simon’s Town

Visit Jubilee Square and have your photo taken alongside the statue of Able Seaman Just Nuisance. The famous Great Dane was the only dog ever to be enlisted in the Royal Navy.

Take a guided tour of Boulders Beach penguin colony on the road out of Simon’s Town. You can swim or picnic on the beach that is home to about 3000 African penguins. Daily conservation fees apply. Tel 021-786-2329.

Enjoy a cruise from Simon’s Town and take in all the beautiful scenery and rich history on one of various guided trips. Tel 083-257-7760, www.boatcompany.co.za.

You could spend hours wading through and buying semi-precious gemstones at the Scratch Patch, which is especially great for keeping kids occupied. Tel 021 – 786-2020, www.scratchpatch.co.za.

Admire the preserved buildings on the Historic Mile Walk, which follows St George’s Street (the main road) from the railway station to the east dockyard gates. This walk captures the history of Simon’s Town from 1741, when the Dutch East India Company first used the spot at a winter anchorage. Tel 021 -786-4404, www.simonstown.org.

Depart from Simon’s Town and kayak around the False Bay area. The most popular trip is a visit to Boulders Beach to see the penguins. Tel 021-782-9356.

Simon’s Town Golf Club is a nine-hole course nestled between Boulders and Fisherman’s beaches. Facilities include a bar, braai area and putting green. Tel 021-786-1233.

Hike in Silvermine Nature Reserve for stunning views over the coast. Ample parking is available off Ou Kaapse Weg and there are picnic spots around a reservoir. Daily conservation fees apply. Tel 021-422-2816.

Scarborough and Kommetjie

Scuba Shack offers shore dives around the peninsula. Choose from kelp, wreck or reef diving or go snorkelling with seals. Tel 021-785-6742, www.scubashack.co.za.

The Cape Point Table Mountain National Park has many short walking routes as well as a two-day, 34-kilometre hiking trail. Tel 021-780-9526, www.sanparks.org or www.capepoint.co.za

On Plateau Road, the Good Hope Gardens Nursery and Farm Stall has hundreds of indigenous species. The farm stall sells local produce, surfing equipment, gifts and art and you can choose from a wide selection of foods for a picnic in the playground. Tel 021-780-9299.

Red Rock Tribal is an unusual curio shop and well worth visiting to browse the extensive collections of crafts by local artists. Tel 021-780-9127, www.redrocktribal.co.za.

Scarborough Beach is a quiet, sandy stretch of coastline just outside the Cape Point Table Mountain National Park. It’s great for surfing and strolling.

Visit Slangkop Lighthouse, one of the oldest and the tallest cast-iron lighthouses on the South African Coast. Tel 021-783-1717.

Experience the vibrance of Masiphumelele township life with a tour of the spaza shops, shebeens, barber shops, schools, cultural centre and support the local artists. Nomthunzie Tours, tel 083-982-5692, email nomthunzie@gmail.com.

Imhoff Farm in Kommetjie is great for a family day out. It offers delicious organic produce, animal interaction (including camel rides and a snake park) and horse rides on the nearby beach. Tel 021-783-4545, www.imhofffarm.co.za.

Harry Goemans Garden Centre is primarily a gardening shop, but you can relax in the garden with a cup of tea and cake or lunch at The Wild Camphor while the kids play. Tel 021 -785-3201, www.harrygoemans.com.

Cape Point Vineyards in Noordhoek is the only wine estate in the world located on a narrow strip of peninsula. Stop in to taste the wines or arrange to picnic overlooking vineyards and a beach in the distance. Tel 021-789-0900, www.noordhoekvineyards.co.za.

Top spectator spots

David Bellairs, CEO of the Cape Town Cycle Tour Trust, highlights some of the places fans can gather to show their support. Look out for detailed information on road closures and parking facilities from mid-February on www.cycletour.co.za.

The start in Hertzog Boulevard:  If you’re not travelling by car, hop onto the MyCiti bus, which will drop you off right where you need to be (tiny.cc/MyCiti). There’s an awesome vibe and it’s a rare sight to see so many cyclists together.

Newlands Forest: This area is accessible from the east side of the M3, as well as the pedestrian subway at the Parks and Forest area.

Paradise Road (near Paradise Motors): This point is accessible from Main Road, Claremont, and is a good place to view cyclists as they speed down the hill and start climbing Edinburgh Drive.

Edinburgh Drive (up to the top of Wynberg Hill): The steepest gradient of the Cycle Tour will give you the chance to cheer and inspire cyclists as they struggle up the first climb of the route.

Fish Hoek: The traffic circle and Main Road in the centre of town always attract large crowds of supporters.

Glencairn Beach: There is pedestrian access to the Glen Ridge side with large lawns opposite the beach. Otherwise, make your way to Southern Right Hotel or Dixie’s Restaurant.

Simon’s Town Main Road: Jubilee Square has been a firm spectator favourite for years and always has a great vibe.

Scarborough: Gain access to Main Road on foot or watch the action from one of the pubs or restaurants along the road.

Noordhoek Farm Village: Access this area of Main Road on foot or relax at any of the pubs or restaurants on the roadside.

Hout Bay (corner Princess and Main Road): Take a stroll down to Main Road (M65) and give the cyclists a final boost before they hit the dreaded Suikerbossie.

Suikerbossie: It may not be the toughest hill on the route, but many participants dread this climb. They’re tired and need all the encouragement they can get. Suikerbossie – all the way from the bottom circle to the top before Llandudno – is a perfect vantage point.

Camps Bay: Relax at one of the many beachfront restaurants or on the beach.

Sea Point: Thrills are aplenty at the sharp left turn from Victoria Road into Queens Road. A pedestrian bridge allows you to cross the road.

Green Point: Make your way to the Promenade to watch the cyclists breaking into their final sprint to the finish and witness all the emotion and high drama, typical of the Cycle Tour finish line.

Tips for riders from Adele Tait, Editor of Ride

• Make sure your bike is in good working order. At the very least the brakes need to be checked and the gears set. Don’t wait until the last minute to visit a bike shop.
• Tyres need to be inspected for cracks or holes. If they’re in a reasonable condition, the most effective way to avoid punctures is to make sure they’re inflated to the correct pressure.
• On the race, take along a spare tube, tyre levers and a CO cartridge (commonly known as a bomb) with an adaptor for your tubes.
• Apply sunblock before your ride and carry more with you. Apply to your lips, the tops of your ears and your neck, as well as your forearms and the backs of your knees. If you’re not riding in a cycling-specific shirt, your lower back may be exposed so put sunblock on that patch too.
• If you haven’t used energy products before, the safest bet is to fill your bottles with half water and half Coke, and make sure you drink Powerade and Coke at the water tables. Water alone is not a good idea, because it won’t replace the electrolytes lost through sweat and that could cause cramps.
• What you eat for breakfast will set the tone for the rest of the day. Don’t skip it.
• A good pair of shorts that fit almost too tightly will ease any discomfort and shammy or bum cream will also help.
• Nose blowing, talking on your phone, undoing the zip of your shirt and having a conversation with your friends next to the road is best done when you’re stationary.
• Don’t forget your start card. Even experienced cyclists have been refused entry to their start pens without this little slip of paper. It’s part of the documentation issued with your race number and easily missed among the stickers for the photographers and other instructions.

Race dos and don’ts

• Buy new equipment or clothing to use for the first time at the race.
• Leave it to the last minute to do any major bike repairs or maintenance.
• Get drunk the night before.
• Ride for about four hours the week before (easy rides with some harder, faster bits).
• Take an easy, hour-long final ride the day before the race.
• Collect your race number in good time.
• Have an early night for a day or two before the race.
• Eat a good breakfast two hours before the start.
• Apply sunblock and stretch before starting the race.

Cyclists’ checklist

• Sufficient carbohydrate drinks
• Ride snacks
• Sunscreen
• Race number pinned on your clothing
• Helmet, gloves and sunglasses
• A pump, spare inner tubes and puncture-repair kit
• Medical emergency number. Tel 021-434-1199

Bike sale and repairs

Bowman Cycles, 153 Bree Street, Cape Town. Tel 021-423-2527, www.bowmancycles.co.za

Action Cycling, 30 Waterkant Street, Cape Town. Tel 021-425-6831, www.actioncycling.com

Revolution Cycles, 171 Bree Street, Cape Town. Tel 021-423-5191, www.revolutioncycles.co.za

Bicycle Maintenance Company, 3 Aubrey Street, Salt River. Tel 021-448-4692, www.bicyclerepairs.co.za

The Epic Bike Shop, 39 Constantia Road, Plumstead. Tel 087-802-5959, www.epicbikeshop.co.za

Cycle Factory, Unit S29 Spearhead Business Park, Montague Drive, Montague Gardens. Tel 021-552-8285, www.cyclefactory.co.za

Lifecycle, Shop 19, Lifestyle Centre, Parklands. Tel 021-557-4660, www.lifecyclesa.co.za

Cycle Teknix, 145 Blaauwberg Road, Table View. Tel 021-556-8207, www.cycieteknix.co.za