Cape Argus 11 Day Race and Training Holiday with soultouring
•The next "Cape Argus Cycle Tour", the biggest cycle race in the southern hemisphere, will take place on the 08th March 2009, take part in the race along with 35 000 other cycle enthusiasts.
• For some, its the achievement of a personal goal, a test of personal fitness and stamina or a chance to raise funds for worthy causes. For others its simply a fun event and one of the highlights of the International cycling calender attracting entrants from all over the world year after year.
• First held in 1977, the tour has undergone many changes to routes, distances and levels of participation over the past 28 years. Innovative environmental management has also positioned the Cycle Tour as the leading environmentally sustainable event in South Africa.
• More than just a cycling event the Cape Argus Pick 'n Pay Cycle Tour is a true test of endurance, sportsmanship, and ability as thousands of cyclists cycle along the 110km route. The route, which winds its way around the Peninsula, gives cyclists an opportunity to enjoy a challenging race amidst scenes of unparalleled natural beauty as they cycle the length of the Peninsula to Cape Point returning over Chapman's Peak to the finish in Green Point.
• SOULTOURING » Pre Argus race tour gets you fit for the race, getting to know the local course, and training on amazing coastal and mountain passes in the Western Cape. We have full vehicle support and you get to see the Cape Peninsula and the winelands. Join us on the pre Argus training and race Tour.
• Date of Tour: 27th Feb 2009 till 9th March 2009
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Details |
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Price Includes |
(CC-8750-P) |
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Full vehicle support, baggage transport, airport pickups |
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3 and 4 star guest houses, B&B - per person sharing |
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5 evening meals + 1 picnic lunch |
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1 recovery leg massage |
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Wine tastings, entries to all National Parks |
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Starter pack, route maps and 2 complimentary bottles of wine |
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Free isotonic drinks and free on tours |
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Price Excludes |
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Extra meals and tips
Alcohol and drinks
Bike hire
Optional excursions
VCO2 max testing and fitness plans
Surcharge for single supplement |
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Suitability / Level |
Demanding |
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Minimum Age |
16 |
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Theme |
Small Group Travel
(Click to Search All) |
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Max Group Size |
14 |
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Itinerary
& Highlights |
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• Day 1
Meet & Greet at Cape Town airport - arrival day
SOULTOURING Tours meet you at the airport and we transfer you to your hotel in the city bowl area (ca. 30 min drive), and have a welcome drink. Freshen, unpack and build the bikes. You can take part in an optional afternoon spin along the coast. From Camps Bay beach past the "Twelve Apostles" mountain range towards Chapmans Peak and back. In the evening an "African style" dinner awaits you.
• Day 2
First tour in the Cape - coastal and mountain roads
We are driven over „Chapmans Peak“ in our support vehicle, official route stretch Argus race to S.James. Here we ride part of the Argus route, to Simons Town and up to Cape Point. We go into the Cape Point Nature Reserve and stop to take photos at the most south westerly point of Africa. We ride to Scarborough, and have a lunch stop, and then head for Fish Hoek.
• Day 3
Ride the coastal road in Gordons Bay
We transfer to Gordons Bay (45mins bus drive). Here we ride the famous coast road from Gordons Bay to Rooi Els, past Kleinmond and onto Hermanus. Lunch is had at a local Protea Farm along the way.Dinner at a seafood restaurant. For a more challenged ride we can ride up to Steenbras Dam in Gordons Bay and see the amazing views over False Bay.
• Day 4
The wide open spaces of the Breede River valley
After a hearty breakfast we transfer to Botriver (30min) and start our ride past Theewaterskloof Dam to Villiersdorp, where we have a lunch stop in a traditional farm stall, where you can sample local produce. We carry on through amazing mountain ranges to Rawsonville, a small wine making haven at the start of the famous Route 62. In the afternoon chill out by the pool. Dinner tonight will be a traditional South African braai.
• Day 5
Discover the old Thomas Bain's pass
A 300 year old track over the mountains and built as a pass road later by Andrew Ceddes Bain with 200 convicts is our conquest today being also the longest pass in the country. Mostly the original road, where no trucks are allowed we head up the escalating series of corners, and over the summit down a great downhill to Wellington. After a flat road to Gouda and Tulbagh we end our days tour. This afternoon we do champagne tasting and tour at "Twee Jonge Gesellen", the 2nd oldest wine estate in the country.
Tulbagh an historic village destroyed by earthquake and has been carefully restored to it's former glory.
• Day 6
A day of 3 passes in the Ceres mountains
Following the passes today we cross Mitchell's pass and enter the Ceres Valley, leaving the city we ride up the almost never ending Theronskloof Pass where we see the fruit trucks fight to get over the hills. With a great descent from over 1000meters we then cut up a gravel track in our tour vehicle to 1500m and ride the pass down on the other mountain making our way back towards Ceres.
• Day 7
Ride the famous Franschhoek pass
After admiring the Franschhoek pass the day before, we now have the opportunity ride on one of the most beautiful wineland routes past the Theewaterskloof Dam to Elgin, Grabouw.
Today the massage team of the Stellenbosch Sports University faculty shall give us a recovery leg massage. Other training programmes and Vco2 max testing can be arranged on request.
• Day 8
A relaxed day in the winelands
We do some easy riding around Klapsmut in the Franschhoek Valley/Stellenbosch. We have time for some sightseeing in Stellenbosch, the wine capital of South Africa.
We have a picnic lunch wine tasting at a local vineyard.
• Day 9
Rest day before the race
Enjoy the sights of Cape Town today, go up Table mountain or do some shopping at the Waterfront. We visit the Cycle Expo and pick up our start numbers and race information. In the evening we follow the Argus route in the support vehicle. at dinner we do some carbo loading at a local italian restaurant.
Don't forget to do some light stretching for the muscles today, and check the bikes for the early morning start.
• Day 10
Argus race day
We have to get up early and cycle down town to the start, where more than 35 000 other hopefuls are waiting to start the Cape Argus Pick n' Pay race. This is the last day of the professional "Giro del Capo", the pro riders go first followed by the rest of the field.Cycle as fast as you can, enjoy the race, take in all the sights and sounds of this momentus occasion.
This will be a day not easily forgotten.
Today we say goodby to Cape Town.
• Day 11
Last day in the Mother City.
Today we bid farewell to Cape Town, and all our new found friends. Do some last minute shopping or just chill and pack the bikes before the flight home.
For thoose who want to spend more time in Cape Town, Soultouring will gladly assist you in this matter. |
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Accommodation
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3 and 4 Star Guest Houses and Hotels with B&B |
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Holidays
Extras |
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