Important Notice: Update in respect of the upcoming Coronation Double Century
By now most of you will be aware of the unrest that is plaguing the area in and around Swellendam, Ashton and Robertson. These areas all form part of the Coronation Double Century route.
We are monitoring the situation on an ongoing basis with both the Provincial and Local authorities. While it is extremely difficult for us to predict what will happen over the next few days, we are proceeding with our plans for the race as scheduled.
Should the unrest continue, a decision on the continuation of the event will be made towards the end of the week.
Our most important priority is the safety and wellbeing of our participants, backup crew and spectators. Any decision will be taken together with the relevant authorities concerned and with the aforementioned in mind.
We would love to be able to assure you that the event will continue but we must be cognisant of all that is happening around us and elements over which we have no control. We remain optimistic that the situation will stabilise and that we will be welcoming you all to Swellendam next week.
The Coronation Double Century Organising Team
Amendment to the 2012 Route
Slight amendments have been made to the route due to the collapse of a section of the R60 road. Organisers are appealing to cyclists to take note of the route update.
David Bellairs, Marketing and Sponsorship Director of CTCCT, explains “The Cape Town Cycle Tour Trust has been working closely with the Provincial Department of Transport, MEC Robin Carlisle and the contractors VELA VKE since the damage occurred, however repairs to the affected stretch – approximately 15km before Swellendam – will not be complete by race day on 24 November.”
The start and the finish venue will remain in Swellendam, however there will be a compulsory portage point at the site of the collapsed road. The estimated distance across the portage point is 350m on a newly created gravel road. All support vehicles will be diverted to Swellendam via a gravel road approximately 18km before Swellendam (3km before the collapse).
Bellairs concludes “While we realise this is not an ideal situation, we believe it is the most practical solution that allows us to proceed with the event with the least amount of inconvenience to all concerned.”
All teams travelling to Swellendam are encouraged to avoid the road between Ashton and Swellendam as the closure of the R60 will result in lengthy detours.
Online Entries
www.cyclelab.com
PRE-ENTRIES are CLOSED
REGISTRATION at The River Club (tennis club house building), Mowbray, Thursday 22 November, from 10h00 – 13h00, Cycle Lab Tyger Manor, Durbanville, Thursday 22 November, from 15h00 – 18h00, and at Swellendam Show Grounds, on Friday 23 November, from 16h00 – 20h00.
NO registration on race day!
Cost R4500 per team
The Coronation Double Century is a 202km team event limited to 200 teams of between six and twelve riders each – approximately 2, 400 cyclists. There is a cut off time of 10 hours and 30 minutes from each team’s official start time to complete the scenic route that passes through beautiful areas of the Overberg region, such as Ashton, Montagu and the infamous Tradouw Pass – including Op de Tradouw.
Awesome event! It only gets 4 stars because that 5th star is for the bad weather on the day….. LOL! 40Km/h wind, torrential downpours, heat and hail is not what I had envisaged experiencing on the day.
Great call to allow cyclists to ride the portage section. Great route. It was my 3rd, and most toughest one yet!
Will definitely do it again next year!
Awesome event – pity about the weather! Loved having the roads clear of support vehicles up to Ashton – made the route much safer and far less congested. Loved the feed station on Op de Tradouw – I thought is worked really well. Perhaps a timing mat and 15 minute stop there would have been good. I would suggest a similar arrangement for Ashton and no support vehicles allowed to follow for the whole route. If provision is made for more bottles and food there and perhaps a few mechanical help spots, I dont see the necessity for support cars.
My first one – and enjoyed every minute of it! Will definitely be there again next year – hopefully with better weather…
Fantastic event as last year. Just a pity we didn’t have the same weather as when we arrived on the Friday… most perfect day… but What a challenge it was on the day… Miracle there was not many more pile-ups! Agree with Totty that the feed stations were amazing and the fact that the no support vehicles were allowed till Ashton, made it just that much more enjoyable (if you could call it that in the storms!) Think an Argus type event with no support vehicles and road closures will be amazing!! See you there next year… Accommodation booked already!
Great event! My first one and enjoyed every minute of it! We were a great team with plenty spirit and help from the strong riders. Pity the weather did not play along, head winds (40km/h), rain and hail was not in my game plan. Will be back next year with hubby.
I totally agree with all the comments above… it was also our 1st DC as an all Ladies Team, and we are so thrilled that we all stayed together and finished together within 5 seconds of each other. Despite the harshest weather conditions, we had a great time… the tailwind at Robertson was THE most welcomed wind EVER!!! We were extremely lucky that not one of us had a puncture either. I agree that the support vehicles could be done away with.. they were a problem after Ashton as we kept having to try pass them when we had the MOST intense headwind. Add more feed stations and a few tech zones. Thanks for allowing us to ride the portage section… glad I’m a dirt roadie, never thought I’d ride my Pinarello off-road, like my Ghost. We’ll be back again next year… maybe with 2 teams, given the waiting list that is already growing in my inbox… Thanks Coronation Fund Managers & Cycle Tour Trust!