![Thousands of cyclists from around the world are expected to take part in the 37th annual Cape Argus Pick n Pay Cycle Tour on Sunday, 9 March 2014. Photo by Bruce Sutherland Thousands of cyclists from around the world are expected to take part in the 37th annual Cape Argus Pick n Pay Cycle Tour on Sunday, 9 March 2014. Photo by Bruce Sutherland](https://www.westerncape.gov.za/sites/www.westerncape.gov.za/files/_dsc5385_-_bruce_sutherland_city_of_cape_town_0.jpg)
Thousands of cyclists from around the world are expected to take part in the 37th annual Cape Argus Pick n Pay Cycle Tour on Sunday, 9 March 2014. The 109 km race across the Cape Peninsula is regarded to be the world’s largest individually timed cycling event. Proceeds go to charity and social investment projects.
The Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport (DCAS) is contributing R200 000 towards the staging of this year’s event. The Western Cape Government supports these events in order to promote diversity and social inclusion.
In recent years the race usually followed a scenic circular route from Cape Town down the Cape Peninsula and back. The start is in Hertzog Boulevard in the city centre, at Cape Town's main Civic Centre. It then follows a short section of the N2 called Nelson Mandela Boulevard, then the M3 to Muizenberg, and then Main Road along the False Bay coast to Simon's Town and Smitswinkel Bay. The route then crosses the peninsula in a westerly direction, past the entrance to Cape of Good Hope section of the Table Mountain National Park (within which Cape Point is situated). It then heads north along the Atlantic coast through Scarborough, Kommetjie, Noordhoek, Chapmans Peak, Hout Bay over Suikerbossie hill to Camps Bay and ends next to the Cape Town Stadium in Green Point.
Hundreds of development cyclists of the Nedbank Sports Trust Development Cycling Programme will also be participating in the Cape Argus Pick n Pay Cycle Tour this year.
Entries are now closed for South African entrants.
New to the world of cycling, but still want to participate? Check out the Cycle Tour Training Wheels programme, specially designed to introduce cycling novices to the sport and help them to complete their very first Cycle Tour.
There’s also a host of other events on during the Cape Argus Pick n Pay Lifecycle Week to help participants gear up and get ready for the big event:
Dates: 1 and 2 March 2014
All levels of riders may participate. It includes a variety of routes that range from quick and easy to technical and challenging. Only 1000 entrants on the day 1 and 2000 on day 2.
Date: 8 March 2014
Trike Tour: The 1,5km fun ride for children between 2 and 6 years old that introduces them to the basics of cycling safety and etiquette. Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian on foot.
Junior Tour: A 5km and 10km route (optional) for children between 6 and 12 years old. Participants must be accompanied by a parent on bike.
Date: 6 - 8 March 2014
South Africa’s largest cycling, fitness and health expo, which is a build up to the big event. It is the only place where participants in the Cape Argus Pick n Pay Cycle Tour can collect their race packs.
For more information on tour-related events, visit the Cycle Tour website.
Tania Colyn
Acting Head of Communication Service
Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport
Tel: 021 483 9877
E-mail: tania.colyn@westerncape.gov.za