22 January 2014
South Africa’s Cape Argus Pick n Pay Cycle Tour is included in the top 10 cycle routes in the National Geographic Book “Journey of a Lifetime – 500 of the World’s Greatest Trips”.
Compiled from the favourite trips of National Geographic’s travel writers, the book presents a wide variety of experiences, using many different modes of transport, on every continent of the world.
It includes 22 top 10 lists, which also include top 10 bridges to walk across, trolley rides, ancient highways and underground walking adventures.
Stunning photography
In typical National Geographic fashion, the book features stunning photography, first-class writing, expert advice and full colour maps
The Argus, as it is known, is the world’s largest individually timed cycling race. It is 109 kilometres in length and runs around Cape Point, making for an extremely beautiful and challenging event, with amazing scenery and views. It draws about 35 000 entrants.
Traditionally, the Argus takes place on the second Sunday of March and race day begins at six o’clock in the morning in the Cape Town city centre with the first of the massive field setting off for the finish next to the Cape Town Stadium in Green Point.
Lifecycle Week
The Argus is preceded by a number of other events, which together make up Lifecycle Week. In 2014, these include the Cape Argus Pick n Pay MTB Challenge, with the short route competition taking place on 1 March and the long route challenge following on 2 March. Both events will be hosted by the Le Bonheur Wine Estate in the Simonsberg, just outside of Stellenbosch.
The Cape Argus Lifecycle Expo and Cycle Tour Registration runs from 6 to 8 March at the Good Hope Centre in Cape Town. Also on 8 March, the day before the Cape Argus Pick n Pay Cycle Tour, children get an opportunity to try their hand over much shorter distances in the Cape Argus Pick n Pay Tricycle & Junior Tour, which will be hosted at the Youngsfield Military Base in Wynberg.
Top 10 routes
The other top 10 cycle routes in the book include Gran Fondo Campagnolo in Italy; Luchon to Bayonne in France; Route du Comte Jean, which takes place in Belgium and France; Land’s End to John O’Groats, which covers the length of Britain; La Route Verte in Canada; the Underground Railroad Bicycle Route, which starts in the USA and finishes in Canada; Ruta Austral in Chile; the Munda Biddi Trail in Australia; and Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam.
