Cape Town Cycle Tour shortened due to fire
The 2015 Cape Town Cycle Tour (previously known as the Cape Argus) has been drastically shortened this year due to the impact of the massive fires that have been blazing over the Southern Peninsula, where the tour passes through, for the last four days.
Many cyclists will be disappointed, but there is no other way as the cyclists lives may be in danger if the original route had been taken. This is the largest cycling race in the world, measured by the number of riders individually. An estimated 35 000 cyclists, many of whom are foreigners, are expected to start the race on Sunday morning.
This year it will be a 47km circular route from its normal start at the Civic Centre to the end of the M3 and back the same way to a slightly altered finish in Green Point.
IOL News reported that event organisers said it has become clear that the safety of cyclists could not be guaranteed on Chapman’s Peak and this ruled out using this famous landmark for the 2015 event.
“This is largely as a result of the extensive fire which has destroyed vegetation responsible for retaining the mountainside above Chapman’s Peak. Furthermore, the heat has caused rocks to expand making them unstable and in some instances rock falls have occurred.”
The detour option of Ou Kaapse Weg via the M3 was considered, however the soot and ash covering both sides of the road on Ou Kaapse Weg presented a considerable health risk to participants exacerbated by the likelihood of wind.
(Image Source: Kiff Cape Town)