Cape Argus Cycle Tour
by Simon Fitzsimons
On Sunday 8th March a number of cyclists from Tring and Berkhamsted set out to participate in the Cape Argus Cycle Tour, 109km around Cape Point in South Africa. I was participating to celebrate my 50th birthday, and was joined by a friend from Tring to make the trip, another family, with 3 entrants, were also there, as was a lone representative from Berkhamstead.
At 6am, as we drove to the start we saw the first starters, who were also taking part in the Giro del Capo, including a number of well known professionals such as Robbie Hunter, even at this time the road was lined with spectators. We could also tell that it was a windy day, and, at that stage, were glad, as the day before, the temperature had been in the high 30's.
Riding from our car to the start we became aware of just how windy it was, with winds of 65kmh being recorded. We were asked to walk across the start line, as some riders were being blown off their bikes, and a number gave up at an early stage in the ride.
Once underway the ride was fantastic, if a little difficult, and took us though many scenic highlights of the area, culminating in a ride across Chapmans Peak Drive, and then on to finish next to the new World Cup Stadium in Cape Town.
Of the 35,000 registrants, about 26,000 actually started, much fewer than normal, and, because of the conditions, a number were stopped from completing the ride.
Those of us from Tring and Berkhamsted all finished in respectable times, between 4hr 10m and 5hr 30m - which would have been about 45 to 60 minutes faster in normal conditions.
The organisation and programme of events that surround the event was amazing, the support was incredible, and we fully intend to be back next year to be part of a great event.
