Best spectator spots for the Cape Town Cycle Tour

Anybody that’s ever completed the Cape Town Cycle Tour – which is every second person in Cape Town more or less – will tell you that the support along the route is one of the best parts of the race.

The Argus (its former name and how it’s still spoken about) is as much a spectator sport as it is the biggest timed cycling race in the world. The vibe, the view, the volumes, all-in-all it’s a pretty wonderful event to be a part of, whether that’s from the vantage point of a bicycle saddle or from the side of the road.

This epic cycling event takes place this Sunday, 6 March and we highly recommend you head out and catch some of the action. Here are some of the best spots from which to see the cyclists swoosh by.

The start on Hertzog Boulevard

Picture the scene; 35 000 bicycles, an electric atmosphere, the majestic Table Mountain as the backdrop and The Final Countdown playing (maybe in your head, maybe on the PA system)… it’s a pretty awesome vista. And it’s exactly what you can expect at the start on Hertzog Boulevard. Encourage ‘em while everyone’s still energetic and enthusiastic.

Edinburgh Drive

Funny, when you’re driving up this hill you don’t actually notice how steep it is. In fact, it’s the steepest gradient on the Tour and the top of Wynberg Hill is a great viewing spot. The road is wide here and bunches have evened out a bit by now so it’s probably your best chance to pick out the one cyclist you’re particularly rooting for.

Between Muizenberg and Fish Hoek

The road between Muizenberg and Fish Hoek is definitely one of the most popular and most vibey spots from which to watch the race. It’s nice because there is plenty of space and lots of things to do once your person has passed. Consider going car-free too (no, you don’t need to cycle there) and take the train to Muizenberg. It’s also a good excuse to spend the day delighting in the charms of the two towns. Coffee shops, restaurants, markets, art galleries and gift shops are among the things to see and do in these quirky spots.

Noordhoek

The cruising has been pretty chilled and the scenery has been spectacular. Then the cyclists get to Noordhoek and it’s like you can feel the anticipation in the air. Because after Noordhoek it’s Chapman’s Peak, which is big deal. Attempting it in good spirits is half the 9km battle won. Noordhoek has a variety of great coffee shops and cafes that can help you out with sustenance, because spectating and snacking definitely go hand-in-hand.

Suikerbossie/Llandudno

After they conquered Chappies, there’s one more major uphill before it all smooth sailing (cycling?!) to the end. And that uphill is called Suikerbossie. This really where ALL your support and encouragement is needed. It’s a solid 2km of gruelling uphill. By now everything is aching, the end is oh-so-close but still oh-so-steep, and it’s a massive mental hurdle and more cheering certainly helps a bike move forward faster. It’s not unusual to see folks pushing their bikes up this monster molehill. Don’t be shy to offer them a snack or, better yet, a beer.

The end

The end because, well, it’s the end! This is where thousands of guys and gals will be grinning from ear-to-ear, high fiving, cheering and, occasionally, even bawling. One-hundred-and-nine-kilometres on a bicycle is no simple feat and completing it in under seven hours (the cut-off time) deserves congratulations all round. Feel free to take banners with words of accomplishment to display at the end. Green Point Park, the end venue, will a party on its own with music, stalls, food trucks and tons of energy. Make a day of it.