Taking place on Sunday 16 October, the West Coast Express is billed as the fastest, flattest road race on the calendar, and this year will be no exception. Starting and finishing at the Koeberg Cricket Club in Duynefontein, situated on Cape Town’s west coast, the race offers two routes (71km and 46km) and both head north on the R27, before turning back via Mamre and Atlantis Industrial respectively, meaning the race is (mostly) flat and fast! 2015 lived up to this reputation with average speeds over the 71km route for the front group reaching almost 41km/hr.
Not only is the West Coast Express the first PPA road race of the season, but it is also the first event in the PPA Summer League. While the 71km is a great way for the seasoned riders to break the winter’s rest, the 46km is ideal for the not-so-fit, or those just starting out in cycling.
Riders tackling the long (71km) route at last year’s West Coast Express. The front bunchaveraged just under 41km/hr. Pictured Credit: Double ST
About the route
Starting from the same venue as last year but without the rolling hills of Darling, this year’s race is likely to be a thriller for the elite teams and riders. The 71km route leaves Duynefontein and heads North on the R27, turning right at Silverstroom Road and up towards Mamre. The section on the R27 should see very high speeds due to pace lines as well as some possible help from the ‘infamous’ South Easter. The route then turns to head back from Mamre via the Atlantis Industrial Western Province Circuit loop and exits on the Old Mamre Rd. Cyclists will head through the tree lined route and exit onto the N7 Link Rd, turning right toward Melkbosstrand, back across the R27, right on Otto du Plessis and the final stretch to the finish back in Duynefontein. If the South Easter is blowing for the finish, expect to see some very quick cyclists challenging for line honours. The shorter 46km route turns right off the R27 earlier at Dassenberg Rd, and then follows the same route to the finish.
Giving back
Every year, the race organisers, the Outriders Cycle Club, select a number of non-profit organisations and charities to raise funds for, and this year, one of the beneficiaries is the Rotary Club of Melkbosstrand’s Eye Care Project. The project is a community-based program that aims to prevent vision loss and blindness by promoting early detection and timely treatment of eye diseases. Riders (and their families) are encouraged to bring along any used spectacles, sunglasses or new frames to the race, and drop them in the marked bins at the start/finish venue. These will then be refurbished with new lenses if applicable, and distributed to school children in need that have been identified and tested in the programme.
There will be a festival-like atmosphere at the finish with music and food and beverages on sale, as well as loads of lucky draw prizes up for grabs at prize giving. Be sure to follow the Outriders Cycle Club on Facebook for all the updated race details.
For more information and to enter either the 71km or the 46km, visit www.pedalpower.org.za/events, alternatively entries will be available at the start venue on race day.
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