For the first time since 2020, close to 30 000 cyclists took to the roads, avenues and streets of Cape Town for the unofficial Fun Ride World Champs – the Cape Town Cycle Tour. Throughout the last three years the event has remained the world’s largest festival on two wheels, but in 2024 it reasserted its dominance in style. Not without the Mother City playing its part to perfection, it must be added.
“It’s been a successful day from a Cape Town Cycle Tour perspective,” Cape Town Cycle Tour Trust Director, David Bellairs said. “It started in fantastic weather in the CBD and while the stiff South Easterly in the Southern Peninsula made the riding tough through Simons Town and up Smitswinkel once the riders turned for home the wind was largely behind them. With the weather at the finish was sublime.”
“It was terrific to be able to host so many fans on the finish line too, as they soaked up the sunshine and cheered on the riders as they finished their 109-kilometre circumnavigation of the peninsula,” Bellairs continued. “Once they had been cheered across the finish line the riders were treated to ice-cold Coca-Cola products, before making their way into the SAB hospitality zone for an ice-cold beer.”
“I had the most wonderful, beautiful, scenic ride,” grinned Geordin Hill-Lewis, Executive Mayor of Cape Town. “I loved every minute of it! This was my first one, so there were some tough moments. But I got through it and I’m really pleased to have been able to tick off my first Cape Town Cycle Tour.”
“We’d like to praise every finisher,” Bellairs added. “From those of you who knock off a 100 kilometre ride without any stress, to the riders who experience the Cycle Tour as a significant personal challenge. This race wouldn’t be possible without you and the gracious people of Cape Town who open the streets to us. It’s wonderful to see so many people on bikes, because the event started in 1978 to raise awareness of the need for safe cycling routes. Cape Town has in recent years become a very cycling friendly city and it’s very rewarding to see.”
“I hope we see every finisher and those who for whatever reason couldn’t finish back next year!”
