Words: Cape Town Cycle Tour Trust & Dr Basil Bonner, Mediclinic | Photos: Cape Town Cycle Tour Trust
Die Burger PPA Cycle Tour takes place on Sunday, 1 December 2013, starting and finishes once again at Stellenbosch High School in Jannasch Street (just off Merriman Street). The 97 km route is also the final seeding opportunity for the 2014 Cape Argus Pick n Pay Cycle Tour which takes place on Sunday, 9 March 2014.
Photo credit: Cape Town Cycle Tour Trust
The Pedal Power Association has come on board as a co-sponsor ahead of the 2013 event. Talking about the reasons for their sponsorship, Steve Hayward, Pedal Power Association Chairman said, “The Pedal Power Association was saddened at the possibility of the short route being cancelled this year due to lack of sponsorship. We believe such a cancellation would have robbed too many cyclists of the opportunity to be introduced to cycling in general and this event in particular. The PPA is therefore delighted to put money back into cycling by coming on board as a co-sponsor of the event. We trust that the participants will thoroughly enjoy the ride on the day and hope to see many of them at the PPA fun rides in the lead-up to the 2014 Cycle Tour.”
On event day, participants may worry about their health and safety on the route as they pedal amongst thousands of other keen cyclists. Riders can rest assured that Mediclinic has them covered and will be on hand to see to their every need on race day. Dr Basil Bonner, the event’s official race doctor, has put together a few essential race-day health tips that will ensure cyclists have successful and healthy rides, whether they’re tackling the less challenging 44 km route, or the more strenuous 97 km route:
• Don’t try anything new on the day. Use well-used shorts that fit well and don’t try any nutritional supplements you have not used before.
• Use lots of chammy cream. It is a long ride and you are bound to chafe, so keep lubricating!
• Remember your sunscreen! Areas we tend to neglect are behind the knees and on the ears.
• Take small sips of fluid often, rather than drinking big quantities periodically.
• Pace yourself and make sure you are mentally and physically prepared for the tough climbs.
• Keep moving your feet in your cleats to change the pressure point on your foot to avoid getting ‘hot foot’. Release the foot from the cleat periodically to allow blood flow to the areas under pressure.
• Keep changing the position of your hands on the handle bars so that you do not compress the nerves and get numb hands.
• Last but not least - if you fall it could be ‘game over’. Don’t ever get distracted and take your eyes off the wheel in front of you.
The Mediclinic team will be on hand before the race starts, during the event, and even after the race. Cyclists can rest assured that if they need help or advice with anything on the day that the necessary health support will be available to them. Keep informed of developments of Die Burger PPA Cycle Tour by joining their Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/burgercycletour or by following them on Twitter: www.twitter.com/BurgerCycleTour.
Visit www.dieburgercycletour.co.za for more information on the event.
