Cape Classic 25-27 October- Race Preview
Shake off the winter rust and kick start your cycling season into a higher gear with the Cape Classic event: 3 days of Spring (October 25-27) road cycling through some of the most magnificent areas in the Western Cape, based out of Montagu
•A professional Event for amateur enthusiasts
•Complete or Rolling Road closures for the entire event
•King of the Mountains and Sprint competitions embedded into the event, plus a Day 1 race
•Full professional level support during the ride, including mechanical support, motorbike outriders, following cars, refreshments
•Carefully selected routes that will provide both challenge, spectacle and enjoyment for the 3 days
•Ride Captains to help set the pace and take some of the load for the group
•Start village in Montagu for the event’s 3 days
•Ride lunches/feed breaks
•Mechanical support/bike cleaning at days end
•Final day celebratory lunch for riders and supporters in Ceres
•Various accommodation options to select from
Day 1: There and Back Again, a Koo Valley Tale
Riders will assemble at the start village and ride up the majestic Koo valley where the formidable Burgers and Rooihoogte passes await. The Stage will be 140km long and involve a total climb of [2000m]. The entire stage will be closed for the duration of the race (approx. 6 hours)and given the tough climbs and exhilarating descents will be ridden at individual pace.
The 1st half of the Day from Montagu until the half way lunch point will be a race.
The Burgers and Rooihoogte passes will also contribute to the overall King of the Mountains Competition.
Spring should be in full bloom when we ride and the fruit blossoms will provide a perfumed carpet of flowers around us if you have the energy to look up!
Day 2: A Cruise around the Breede River
The ride will be through the picturesque Breede River valley in a loop from Montagu around Bonnievale.
The stage will be 100 km and involve a relatively tame 760m of climbing. The ride will be in Peleton with 2 designated sprints points.
We’ll cross the Breede River twice, once on a Trestle Bridge and once through a ford, plus go over the Groot Rivier.
Given the river valleys we will be going through the riding is mostly through lush rolling valleys, though we do have a 250m climb at the 76km mark to keep us honest.
We’ll pass through a number of famous wine estates, perhaps some sampling after the ride?
Day 3: Historic South Africa
Stage 3 will take the ride from Montagu (founded 1851) through the beautiful Slanghoek valley with a mountain top finish at the top of the Michell’s pass. 140km of cycling with [995m]of ascending complete the tour. There will be one designated sprint point and Michell’s Pass will count for King of the Mountains.
As we ride out of Montagu for the last time we’ll be under a rolling start al la the Grand Tours, which will give us some time to notice the National monuments down Long street (the most in 1 street in South Africa) and the English Fort perched on the rocks above the tunnel as we exit Montagu.
The ride will then go through Ashton (1897), Robertson (1853), Rawsonville and the magnificent Slanghoek Valley (1709), where will will take a refreshment break.
We’ll then turn right towards Ceres, with the historic Bainskloof Pass (1853) on our left, the last climb up to the top of Mitchell’s Pass (1848 also built by Andrew Bain) for the finish and then a short cruise into Ceres for our final celebratory lunch.
ADDITIONAL INFO
Road Closure:
The Rides will have full road closure on Day 1 and rolling road closures on Day 2 and 3, meaning we can ride in a completely traffic free environment
Competition:
Day 1 up to the turn around point will be a race.
Over the three days we will also have 3 designated Sprint Lines and 3 King of the Mountains Pass finishes at which riders will be awarded points and at the end of the event we will be awarding jerseys for Day 1 win, King of the Mountains and best Sprinter.
Support:
During the ride we will have motorbike outriders, plus vehicles supporting and protecting the riders. Mechanical support will be available throughout the rides for any punctures and other mechanical failures. Tubes are on us, any other parts for your own account.
Nutrition:
Watering and feeding points will be positioned at suitable points along the rides for you to stock up on carbs and liquids, our partners will provide their products plus we will have some healthy locally sourced food.
Start Village:
Food and drinks will be available at the Start Village as well as mechanics for any last minute requirements
Ride Captains:
A number of ride Captains will be part of the Peloton who will be there to help set the pace, ride at the front if necessary and pull anyone who has dropped back for any reason back into the Peloton
Cape Classic Ride Jersey:
All participants will be provided with a Cape Classic jersey, though you are more than welcome to ride in your own colours
Accommodation:
There are a number of accommodation options available with our partners that are detailed in the accommodation appendix.
Alternatively you are more than welcome to make your own arrangements, the Montagu tourist association are very helpful and friendly.
Registration/ Briefing:
This will take place the evening before Day 1, where dinner will be provide and there will be an opportunity to meet your fellow riders
Food:
Lunch will be provided everyday after the Stage including a final celebratory lunch in Ceres on Day 3, where we will award the 3 jerseys and recap the event.
Sore Legs:
Masseurs will be provided at the end of each ride to help get those legs in shape for the next day.
Charity:
A portion of the Ride entrance fee will be donated to a worthy Charity partner of the Cape Classic. Those wanting to get more involved are more than welcome to donate additional time, money or other goods.
Local Community:
We will be involving the local community as much as possible including any skills transfers that we can give as part of the process, for example the mechanics will be assisted by locally hired individuals who will be trained in basic bicycle maintenance.
Buy South Africa:
All efforts will be made to source and support SA products and companies.
Contact Andrew for more details e-selby at mweb.co.za