After missing the largest timed cycle race in the world for the last two years, my wife and I decided to take part in the 2016 edition of the Cape Town Cape Argus Cycle Tour. 109 km along the most beautiful roads of the Peninsula.

It was our 5th attendance and we always take part to enjoy the race, not to race it. Our time on the route was 5h 51 min, our actual driving time was 5h 11 min (= we spent 40 min in totalĀ forĀ breaks). In terms of my Two Oceans Ultra Marathon and Comrades preparation I see it as a great opportunity for a low heart rate endurance training. The week before the cycle tour I ran only twice, but with one 20 km and one 50 km training run still covered 70 km for the week.

We made several stops at the always vibrating and perfectly organized refreshment stations or just to enjoy the view.

You can see some of it in the following pictures, but it’s better to take part in it.

The professionalism of organisation is outstanding. On example is the start: For more than 4 hours more than 35,000 cyclists get sent on the route, and it all works like a swiss clockwork. Fantastic.

Waiting for our loading to start

Waiting for our loading to start

Great marketing in the start area

Great marketing in the start area

Ready to go

Ready to go

What a scenery for a ride

What a scenery for a ride

 

One of the refreshment stations

One of the refreshment stations

BarOne Team handing out the good stuff

BarOne Team handing out the good stuff

Great staff at the refreshment stations

Great staff at the refreshment stations

Very much appreciated BarOne chocolate bars

Very much appreciated BarOne chocolate bars

Cycling next to the beach of Misty Cliffs

Cycling next to the beach of Misty Cliffs

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Our last stop before Suikerbossie climb, also known as Sukkerbossie, Hout Bay

Busy physio and massage tents

Busy physio and massage tents (and a bus stop for those who need a ride back to the finish)

 

Our post race lunch

Our post race lunch

 

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