The Western Cape’s newest — and potentially second largest — cycle race, Die Burger Fietstoer, was unveiled on Friday and will take place on Sunday December 2.
This road race will take place in and around Stellenbosch and is an official seeding event for the Cape Argus Pick ‘n Pay Cycle Tour. This means Cape Town cyclists will have another opportunity to flex their spandex-clad muscles, while possibly affecting their Argus start time.
”This event is just another way in which we align ourselves with our readers’ interests,” said Henry Jeffreys, editor of Die Burger. ”We already have a vested interest in rugby, cricket and soccer, and cycling is the next logical avenue of support — not forgetting we have sponsored large-scale cycling events in the past.”
The route features two distances, 44km and 101km, with the main event starting and finishing at Paul Roos Gymnasium’s Markötter Fields in Stellenbosch, and take participants along the picturesque areas surrounding Stellenbosch.
The 101km route is for more serious cyclists and those hoping to improve their starting time at the Argus.
It will take riders through Stellenbosch and up the scenic Old Helshoogte Pass before descending through Pniel and towards Franschhoek. Cyclists will then turn left to pass Victor Verster Prison towards Paarl, while hugging the vineyards alongside the mountains before joining the R301 to Wellington.
Then it’s left on to the R44, the Agter Paarl Road, back under the N1, and over the rolling hills of the R44 back to Stellenbosch, where spectators will cheer riders on as they cross the finish line.
Riders doing the 44km route are also in for a scenic but less taxing treat as they head out of Stellenbosch and over Polkadraai, where they will turn left on the flat and fast R102 towards Somerset West. Turning left again along Winery Road, cyclists will join the R44 and head back to Stellenbosch over some fairly large rolling hills. — Sapa