Cape Town Cycle Tour 2026

[DJR]

I have managed something I never thought possible:

I convinced my wife to ride the short route. Every year the boys and I did it, she said how she envied us, but when entries opened she always said no thank you. (She does not like cycling and trying to get her to ride a tandem with me caused much upheaval. We paddle a double kayak peacefully though.) So, when she unexpectedly agreed to do the 42km, I decided to join her........and in a flash the two boys and a girlfriend also joined, shortly after than my nephew and his girlfriend too........my niece is keen and working on my brother..........

There will be more chances to do the full Tour (I've done too many anyway and the boys have done 10 and 9 respectively.), so, we'll make this years shorty about family, friends and FUN!

 

[Prince Albert Cycles]

7 hours ago, DJR said:

I have managed something I never thought possible:

I convinced my wife to ride the short route. Every year the boys and I did it, she said how she envied us, but when entries opened she always said no thank you. (She does not like cycling and trying to get her to ride a tandem with me caused much upheaval. We paddle a double kayak peacefully though.) So, when she unexpectedly agreed to do the 42km, I decided to join her........and in a flash the two boys and a girlfriend also joined, shortly after than my nephew and his girlfriend too........my niece is keen and working on my brother..........

There will be more chances to do the full Tour (I've done too many anyway and the boys have done 10 and 9 respectively.), so, we'll make this years shorty about family, friends and FUN!

 

Remember to wear the correct cycling top 😇

[Long Wheel Base]

I would love to know what it has cost my toppie over the years. He has done it every year since 1989(he's done 36), I have done it since 1991(34 for me). We have flown from Joburg every year and most of the years, we spent a week down there. The last 2 years it has been all 5 of us and my folks for a week holiday. I am VERY lucky that my dad has always paid. I just get a message from him saying entry is sorted and then a few weeks later he sends me accommodation and flight options and my wife and I have a look and we let him know and then he sorts it.
Next year though it will just be him and I, my boys are too busy with school.

[Fred van Vlaanderen]

Hey guys, looking for two individual entries during the substitution window. Please let me know if you are unable to ride, or know of someone that is unable to ride. 

[ChrisF]

8 minutes ago, Fred van Vlaanderen said:

Hey guys, looking for two individual entries during the substitution window. Please let me know if you are unable to ride, or know of someone that is unable to ride. 

 

Based on the 2025 event ... entries did not sell out .... to the last moment transferring was not an option.  At least that was the general perception on most platforms.

 

They certainly seem to want to rather sell more than allowing transfers ..... really hope I am wrong on this !!

[Mamil]

On 10/17/2025 at 12:12 PM, Long Wheel Base said:

I would love to know what it has cost my toppie over the years. He has done it every year since 1989(he's done 36), I have done it since 1991(34 for me). We have flown from Joburg every year and most of the years, we spent a week down there. The last 2 years it has been all 5 of us and my folks for a week holiday. I am VERY lucky that my dad has always paid. I just get a message from him saying entry is sorted and then a few weeks later he sends me accommodation and flight options and my wife and I have a look and we let him know and then he sorts it.
Next year though it will just be him and I, my boys are too busy with school.

Up for adoption into good cycling home– one mamil  

[The Ouzo]

21 hours ago, Fred van Vlaanderen said:

Hey guys, looking for two individual entries during the substitution window. Please let me know if you are unable to ride, or know of someone that is unable to ride. 

entries are still open as far as I know

[SilverRider]

On 10/5/2025 at 4:47 PM, ChrisF said:

 

Those that did the early entry will have 2 emails confirming this, dated around 16 to 20 March 2025.

 

 

 

Jip, ja ... also had to check .... 😋

Ai Chris, jy het dan dieselfde dag as die Potch-trein die early bird inskrywing gedoen...

[DJR]

On 10/17/2025 at 12:12 PM, Long Wheel Base said:

I would love to know what it has cost my toppie over the years. He has done it every year since 1989(he's done 36), I have done it since 1991(34 for me). We have flown from Joburg every year and most of the years, we spent a week down there. The last 2 years it has been all 5 of us and my folks for a week holiday. I am VERY lucky that my dad has always paid. I just get a message from him saying entry is sorted and then a few weeks later he sends me accommodation and flight options and my wife and I have a look and we let him know and then he sorts it.
Next year though it will just be him and I, my boys are too busy with school.

The value of making a connection through a shared experience cannot be calculated with a yardstick as cold and unconnected to the human condition as money and numbers. 

If I look back, the years I rode with my father and my sons were of inestimable value, It helped to shape all of us into who we are today and contributed to bonds that even blood cannot explain. It may be only one of many things that we did together, but it made a difference that no money of earth could ever have bought.

I'll bet you a few bob that your father feels the same way.

[MrGT]

I have no problem paying what is needed to come and ride the race but every time during the race I start questioning whether it is worth the while to even come down to race due to the unsafe behavior of cyclists in the peloton. It is not enjoyable for all the wrong reasons. (I prefer to suffer not worry about who is going to ride into the back of me or me into them.)

I normally participate in this race (@starting batch) but grow tired of weekend warriors riding like compete fools causing accidents by surging. All of this to be able to tell their mates they were first in their batch. This is a fun ride unless you start in $ so there is no need to ride like a fool. I watch how a group of cyclists in the one year intentionally slowed the group down to let one of their mates through and there after continued with slowing and accelerating causing a concertina effect and ultimately crashes. These batches are huge and the knock-on effect of your decisions in the front combined with the experience of some riders is a recipe for disaster

[sa-shooter]

For the complete newb, what is there to know about the entry and requirements for the race? I have never had interest in riding on the road and have never followed the tour so I have no idea what to expect or how to go about it. I find myself interested in potentially attempting the race this year but I am finding it hard to find much information about entry requirements. The website has an entry portal but no real information page. I read something about a timing tag but no info on how to obtain one or how much it costs. I also acknowledge that I am possibly in over my head, but any info would be greatly appreciated. 

[ChrisF]

26 minutes ago, sa-shooter said:

For the complete newb, what is there to know about the entry and requirements for the race? I have never had interest in riding on the road and have never followed the tour so I have no idea what to expect or how to go about it. I find myself interested in potentially attempting the race this year but I am finding it hard to find much information about entry requirements. The website has an entry portal but no real information page. I read something about a timing tag but no info on how to obtain one or how much it costs. I also acknowledge that I am possibly in over my head, but any info would be greatly appreciated. 

 

As a first timer a few things to note:

. Entry fee

. CSA (Cycling SA) day licence, just tick this box and add it to your basket when registering

. Timing chip ...just tick this box and add it to your basket when registering.  This gets cable tied behind your seat tube.

. Seeding is plubished, and emailed, the week before the race.  As a first timer you will start in the last groups, roughly 8.00 to 8.30.

. Avoid the groups ... hang back or get past .... 

. The VIBE .... NOTHING can prepare you for the stunning vibe along the route !!!  ENJOY !!!

. Bike ... you will see any and all types .... just enjoy what you have.

. Race numbers .... big number goes on your back .... sticker number on your helmet .... another gets cable tied to your handle bars.

. EXPO .... Make sure to have enough time to soak this in ....

. Parking ... early racers already got the other parking .... drive straight to Parcade 2 of CTIC ... the vibe starts here 👍  short cycle to the start

 

Dont over think it .... just go for it and enjoy thee best VIBE

 

 

 

All of this and so much more is on the information pages of the CTCT website 👍

 

 

EDIT - Here is the info on their webpage - 

https://www.capetowncycletour.com/events/the-cape-town-cycle-tour

 

Scroll down and watch the rider briefing video 

Edited January 6 by ChrisF

[sa-shooter]

55 minutes ago, ChrisF said:

 

As a first timer a few things to note:

. Entry fee

. CSA (Cycling SA) day licence, just tick this box and add it to your basket when registering

. Timing chip ...just tick this box and add it to your basket when registering.  This gets cable tied behind your seat tube.

. Seeding is plubished, and emailed, the week before the race.  As a first timer you will start in the last groups, roughly 8.00 to 8.30.

. Avoid the groups ... hang back or get past .... 

. The VIBE .... NOTHING can prepare you for the stunning vibe along the route !!!  ENJOY !!!

. Bike ... you will see any and all types .... just enjoy what you have.

. Race numbers .... big number goes on your back .... sticker number on your helmet .... another gets cable tied to your handle bars.

. EXPO .... Make sure to have enough time to soak this in ....

. Parking ... early racers already got the other parking .... drive straight to Parcade 2 of CTIC ... the vibe starts here 👍  short cycle to the start

 

Dont over think it .... just go for it and enjoy thee best VIBE

 

 

 

All of this and so much more is on the information pages of the CTCT website 👍

 

 

EDIT - Here is the info on their webpage - 

https://www.capetowncycletour.com/events/the-cape-town-cycle-tour

 

Scroll down and watch the rider briefing video 

Thank you so much! Very informative. And also my apologies, I see now the website does have a lot of info, just need to scroll all the way down. I thought there would be an info page under the menu or something. 

[Zama7]

Hey Guys just have 2 questions:

 

1. Best area to stay ? (assume somewhere close to the start>)
2. IS it best to collect your bike the day before or the morning of the race (will use bike transport company from JHB/PTA)

 

Thanks 

[NicholasT]

@Zama7 In answer to your first question I’d say it’s best to stay as close to the finish(Green Point Stadium), as possible. That will give you some room for a nice little warm-up on the way to the start area in the CBD, and also allow you to be close to home when you finish. I felt like death after my first tour and then still had to ride 10k back to our apartment. It was not fun!

Edited January 13 by NicholasT

[Shebeen]

On 1/6/2026 at 7:49 PM, ChrisF said:

As a first timer a few things to note:

. Entry fee

. CSA (Cycling SA) day licence, just tick this box and add it to your basket when registering

. Timing chip ...just tick this box and add it to your basket when registering.  This gets cable tied behind your seat tube.

. Seeding is plubished, and emailed, the week before the race.  As a first timer you will start in the last groups, roughly 8.00 to 8.30.

pretty sure no CSA licence required for argus plebs. racing group maybe?!

and i think the last batch is later than that too!