The 46th Cape Town Cycle Tour will be rolling out from under the ramparts of the Castle of Good Hope on 10 March, 2024. And the time to enter is right now and beat the 2 January increase.

The classic 109km Cycle Tour route remains unchanged for 2024 – and is arguably one of the most beautiful bike rides in the world. Where else do you loop a world-famous mountain along Blue Flag beaches, through verdant indigenous forest and over coastal ascents that will take your breath away in more ways than one? From the start in the city centre to the finish on the world-famous Atlantic Seaboard, there’s hardly a kilometre of this route that you wouldn’t tag #iconic on Insta. And the history of the event runs deep, as you add another medal to your growing collection (two riders have ridden all 45 to date!), or begin yours with your very first. The welcome from your fellow riders and the event will be the same: world-class and joyous.

The newly-introduced 42km route runs a similar palette, with magnificent views of Cape Town, Robben Island and beyond as you roll down into the finish as part of the coolest cycling party of the year. Both distances offer the riders security in the knowledge that the roads are 100 percent closed to other vehicles (other than essential event ones), and a seeding system that endeavours to put riders of similar fitness, speed and ability together for the safest day possible. And then there’s the encouragement in the form of the thousands of spectators who line the routes. There is Coca Cola, water and Powerade aplenty at any of the 14 aid stations open for service on the day, as well as mechanical backup for those pesky punctures and slipped chains.

Which route should you ride?

The 42km was introduced in 2023; for a more manageable day out for cyclists who still wanted all the amazing back-up of 45 years of organising the biggest timed bike race in the world but couldn’t quite see themselves making the full distance. It attracted an amazing collection of new riders – old and young – for whom the 109km seemed just a little too far. Many have re-entered this year, but equally, there’s a large number who saw what they are capable of and have made the leap up to the longer route. Which will always remain the gold standard in mass-participation cycling in South Africa. You know how it goes – you say you’re a cyclist at a braai, and what’s the first question? Yup. “What’s your Cape Town Cycle Tour time?”

Head over to www.capetowncycletour.com and enter today, to beat the 15 January 2024 price increase – and to make sure you get your entry in before they close on 31 January 2024!

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