Riding your first Cape Town Cycle Tour? Here’s what you need to know

Racing the Cape Town Cycle Tour for the first time? Here are our top tips to prepare for an event you’ll never forget!

• Prepare your bike and the gear you’ll use well in advance. It’s a good idea to have your bike serviced about 3 weeks before the race to avoid last-minute problems that need fixing.
• Make sure you register and collect your race number on one of the specified days. There are no registration facilities available on the day of the race, so check their website regularly for details.
• Ensure you have everything you’ll need for race day prepared one day in advance. Pack it out on your bed or a table and attach what you can to your jersey and bike so as not to forget anything.
• On the morning of the race, try having your last meal at least 2 hours before the race. This will ensure optimum performance and hopefully avoid side-walk ablutions.
• Make sure of your starting time and aim to arrive an hour early for the start. There is quite a bit of navigation at the start venue, so study the directions in your starting pack well in advance. This will help you get a good position in the chute (the starting area) and ease those nerves while you wait for the countdown.
• Flat tyres during the race are something to expect and prepare for. Practice how to change a flat tire quickly. On race day, remember to carry an extra tube or two in case of punctures. CO2 ‘bombs’ work well for inflation.
• It can be a bit crowded at the start. Don’t get impatient – use the easy start as a warm-up. Gaps will open for you to stretch your legs and show them what you’re made of.

You’ll find that the race is over before you can say “Chapman’s Peak,” so drink in the scenery. Cycle safely and be kind to one another on the road. It’s a privilege to be there, so don’t let the competition or stress get in the way of the beauty and fun!