The Cape Town Cycle Tour will take place on Sunday 12 March 2017. If you’re not one of the thousands of riders taking part, here are the best places to cheer them on.
For one day every year, cyclists take over Cape Town in one of the most epic cycle tours in the world.
Where to watch this year’s Cape Town Cycle Tour
1. Corner of Hertzog Boulevard and Adderley Street
Hertzog Boulevard is the starting point of the race and a great place to watch the cyclists crammed together waiting in anticipation for the race to start. If you travel by car, park in any of the surrounding side streets and walk to the start area. Alternatively make use of the MyCiTi Bus service.
2. Newlands Forest
By the time they reach Newlands Forest the cyclists are still full of energy, and you will be guaranteed to see them racing through at full speed. This area is accessible from the Southern Suburbs on the east side of the M3, as well the pedestrian subway at the Parks and Forest area.
3. Paradise Road
Paradise Road (near Paradise Motors) is reachable from Main Road, Claremont. From here spectators can watch the cyclists as they speed down the highway and then make the uphill journey onto Edinburgh Drive.
4. Edinburgh Drive (up to the top of Wynberg Hill)
Edinburgh Drive is the steepest gradient of the Cape Town Cycle Tour and will give you the chance to cheer on the cyclists as they climb the first challenging hill of the route. It is also the best place to see friends and family taking part in the race.
5. The bridges along the Blue Route
The bridges along the Blue Route (along the M3 past Bergvliet and Constantia) are also a crowd favourite and a good place to watch the big bunches speeding past below you.
6. Steenberg Main Road
The vantage point along Steenberg Estate Main Road allows spectators to watch cyclists as they come off the highway and begin making the dash towards the False Bay coastline. Note that there will be closures on all on-ramps between Trovato Link and Steenberg Road (6am – 12.15pm).
7. Kalk Bay and St. James
The Muizenburg and Kalk Bay locals will line the roads through their areas and it’s a great place to have a breakfast and watch the cyclists as they race past. Well some of them will be racing. By now any lack of training will be starting to show.
8. Fish Hoek
The Fish Hoek traffic circle and Main Road always attract large crowds of supporters. There will be road closures so it may be best to access the traffic circle by foot.
9. Glencairn Beach
The small quaint beach situated between Muizenberg and Simon’s Town offers a great place to bath in the sun and watch the race. Visitors can also watch the race from Dixie’s Restaurant and Bar. Due to the road closures, this area is only accessible by foot. Dixies, Tel 0217862105.
10. Simon’s Town to Smitswinkel Bay
Simon’s Town remains a popular destination for spectators. Fans can watch the race from one of the many pubs and restaurants in the Main Road or from Jubilee Square alongside the statue of Able Seaman the only dog to be enlisted in the navy. The course then takes riders past Miller’s Point and up Smitswinkel Bay, but you will need to get there very early and before the roads are closed if you want to watch the cyclists heading up one of the tougher climbs of the route.
11. Scarborough
The seaside village of Scarborough provides a number of restaurants and pubs views to enjoy the race. You can access the area on foot or enjoy the race at any of the pubs or restaurants in the area.
12. Noordhoek
Situated on the corner of Main Road and Village Lane the area boasts handful of restaurants and pubs. Gain access to the area on foot or enjoy the race at any of the pubs or restaurants in the area. Noordhoek Farm Village is another spectator’s favourite.
13. Hout Bay
After conquering Chappies the route slices through Hout Bay. If you live in Hout Bay you can take a stroll down to Main Road (M65) or get an early seat at one of the many restaurants that line the route.
14. Suikerbossie and Llandudno
Give the cyclists a mental boost before they enter the dreadful and most challenging leg of the race, the Suikerbossie. By this point the cyclists are exhausted, but still have to climb this dreadful hill (Victoria Road). This vantage point allows the spectators to give them the much needed encouragement the need for this, the most arduous section of the race.
15. Camps Bay
Camps Bay is arguably the trendiest place to watch the Cape Town Cycle Tour. It offers a luxurious beach front, plus restaurants and bars where you can sit, relax and watch the cyclists.
16. Sea Point and the Promenade
The sharp turn from Victoria Road into Queens can be the scene for some catastrophic crashes. There’s a pedestrian bridge which allows spectators to cross the road or use it to get a bird eye’s view of the cyclists. By the time most of the cyclists reach this point it will be time for sundowners and a late afternoon lunch. Sea Point’s Beach Road has many restaurants for spectators to enjoy the final stretch of the race. You can also make your way to the Sea Point Promenade to watch the cyclists dash the final sprint towards the finish line. It is the best place to watch Olympic-style high drama and emotion.
17. Green Point and the finish
Drama and emotion will be high as cyclists enter the final stretch and dash towards the finish on Green Point Main Road. The race finishes near the stadium and there’re plenty of places along main road to see the cyclists and soak up the occasion. It’s a short walk from there to a number of shops and bars along Somerset Road and about a 15 minute walk to the V&A Waterfront.
Click here for maps to the start and the full Cape Town Cycle Tour route.
Road closures for the Cape Town Cycle Tour will be confirmed as the event approaches.
