What can anyone say about the Cape Argus Cycle Tour that everyone doesn't know already! It has all of the lovely panoramas and scenery that one has grown accustomed to seeing and then there is the spectator support that many competitors also enjoy...
The Route this year was exceptionally well organized and signposted, which made it a delight for competitors and spectators alike. Following the usual route around the Peninsula, the competitors had to brave the vicious onslaught of the Cape Doctor (Southeaster), which gusted at manic speeds, causing chaos in some areas and disappearing completely in others. Though one has to feel sorry for the competitors struggling to pick-up speed for the uphill climbs, I think that the spectators got the worst of the gale like conditions and one Eurasian woman had to quickly duck for cover when her skirt was ripped of in the strong wind, as several people whistled!
The predawn start was a hassle, as thousands of competitors gathered to await the start of each individual section of riders and several complaints were heard about the lack of toilet facilities for the competitors. Which really was bad and in one place had a mammoth line for the portable toilets, resulting in a dozen of them having to inconspicuously hide themselves behind any available shelter in order to relieve themselves.
Fortunately, once the sections were underway, the cyclists charged of in a hurry to get out of the jostling madness that is common with these timed trials and luckily, there weren't any major collisions where anyone could get hurt. As the groups headed around the side of Devil's Peak, they started the thin out, as some went on ahead of the packs. Fortunately, many were prepared for the strong winds that suddenly appear around Hospital Bend, which any serious accidents or injuries...
A frequent feature of the Cape Argus is the numerous service sites along the route in which volunteers stand ready to hand out sachets of water and energy bars for the contestants to resupply their needs at. It was also very nice to see that there were a number of spectators that made themselves available to assist riders in trouble. Way to go people! Show that Ubuntu Spirit!
The long lonely stretches of the route were very tiring on many of the non-professional riders, as the uphill stretches and relentless shallow climbs can burn the calf muscles deeply, as well as the mind!
For many of the competitors, it must have been a godsend to see the welcome stretch of famous beach that is at Camps Bay and they all made that final push to build up momentum before the shallow but intense climb over Victoria Road, which then brings you around into the western end of Sea Point.
The route then took the screaming down to and along the Beach Road, as they made the final dash for the finish.
It was very nice to see some familiar faces taking part in the Argus this year and one of them was the famous Gabriella Sabbatini of professional tennis fame, who took part with one of the local teams. It is nice to see that she hasn't completely disappeared off of the face of the Earth and I know that a number of the spectators cheered boisterously for her when she was introduced to the crowd over the speakers.
May she come back soon and continue her adventures in South Africa!
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