14 Feb 2019 PERFECT PREP!
An ideal warm-up for the Cape Town Cycle Tour, the upcoming Tour de PPA on 24 February will help cyclists gauge their fitness and fine-tune their strategy.
The last PPA fun ride before the annual Cycle Tour, this event starts and ends at the Durbanville Racecourse, and is a great opportunity to get in a final, solid training session on a course that includes the testing Vissershok climb. There are two routes in the event – a 110 km and 72 km – and the longer version counts for Cycle Tour seeding.
THE ROUTES
110 km route
With three climbs split evenly through the route, this is a ride that calls for measured energy outputs.
From Durbanville, riders climb up Tiekiedraai before turning right onto the undulating Contermanskloof Road. They then head right at the Vissershok stop street to tackle the tough climb up Vissershok. After winding their way through Durbanville, cyclists turn left onto Wellington Road and onto the flatter open roads.
At the R312/Fisantekraal intersection, riders continue straight to the R44 where they will turn left. It’s another left at Voor-Paardeberg, and left again onto the R304 before joining up with the 72 km route at the silos. The riders will then head back towards Durbanville via Adderley Road.
72 km route
A lot flatter after the Vissershok climb, this shorter route will see cyclists able to hook a big gear and build up some speed in the bigger bunches.
From Durbanville, riders climb up Tiekiedraai before turning right onto the undulating Contermanskloof Road. They then head right at the Vissershok stop street to tackle the tough climb up Vissershok. After winding their way through Durbanville, cyclists turn left onto Wellington Road and onto the flatter open roads.
At the R312/Fisantekraal intersection, cyclist on this route will turn left on the R304, left again on the R302 and then right onto the Philadelphia road. From there the riders will then head back towards Durbanville via Adderley Road.
HOW TO ENTER
Online: go to pedalpower.org.za/events and you’ll see 2019 TOUR DE PPA highlighted in red near the top of the list. Click the “enter” tab. Entries will close on Monday, 18 February at midnight. Entries will be taken at pre- registration.
On the day: a limited number of late entries will be taken at the Durbanville Racecourse from 05h30
ENTRY FEES
- 110 km: R220 for PPA members (R240 with medal), R320 for non-PPA members (R340 with medal)
- 72 km: R200 for PPA members (R220 with medal), R300 for non-PPA members (R320 with medal)
KEY RACE INFO
Registration:
- Wednesday 20 February – Tygervalley Sportsmans Warehouse from 12h00 to 18h00 (Please make sure you go to the correct Sportsmans Warehouse on the correct day!)
- Thursday 21 February – Rondebosch Sportsmans Warehouse from 12h00 to 18h00 (Please make sure you go to the correct Sportsmans Warehouse on the correct day!)
- Late registration will also take place on the day of the event, from 05h30, at the Durbanville Racecourse.
Start times:
110 km: 06h30
72 km: 08h00
Water points: the 110 km route has 4 spread out evenly along the course. The 72km route has 5.
DIRECTIONS TO VENUE
From the N1, take the Durban Rd/Willie van Schoor Rd off-ramp and pass Tygervalley Centre towards Durbanville. Turn left into Tindale road. At the T-junction, turn left into Racecourse road. Pass the Durbanville Nature Reserve on your right; then follow the parking signs to the Durbanville Race Course. GPS: S: 33°50.27; E 18°38.24.
For more information email gary@pedalpower.org.za
LOOKING FOR MORE LOCAL FUN RIDES?
The PPA Sportive series is aimed at all cyclists, from beginners to experienced riders, and offers the perfect platform for those wanting to keep fit riding road events throughout the year, improving their times and setting a new personal bests.
The series is a great test for endurance and stamina for anyone brave enough to take on the challenge of the longer routes and, while completing all eight events will be a great source of personal achievement, each one is also a standalone event, so riders are not required to enter all in the Sportive Series.
There are six events remaining, spread throughout the year. For more information visit www.pedalpower.org.za or email kelly@pedalpower.org.za