On this episode of the Ask Coach Parry Cycling podcast we chat around the Cape Town Cycle Tour and give you heads up of what to enjoy, what not to do and things to be on the look-out for.  If you're going to be taking part then you will experience the vibe and buzz which is palpable on one of the most  beautiful cycles in the world.

Transcript

You’re listening to the Ask Coach Parry Cycling podcast and we’ve got our cycling coach back with us once again Devlin Eyden, welcome back. Devlin, just a couple of days to go now before the Cape Town Cycle Tour, everybody pretty much in Cape Town, it’s absolutely buzzing down here at the moment, I can tell you that much and a great question in from Peter who is coming down from Jo’burg to ride the Cape Town Cycle Tour.

Soaking up the atmosphere

I think the guys and girls who live and ride in Cape Town are pretty lucky, we get to ride that route fairly often, but can you give us a fly through, a brief overview of that route for guys who are coming in from out of town, what to expect. It’s a long way, but it’s magnificent, it’s not known as one of the most beautiful cycles in the world for nothing is it?

Devlin Eyden:      Not at all. I think that’s probably my first point is more than anything, take in the atmosphere, take in the scenery. Obviously everyone has got their own goals that they’re working towards on race day, but look Argus is renowned for the amount of climbing as well.

Just keep that in mind and let’s hope that on race day, with regards to the weather as well, that the wind isn’t blowing particularly, cause there are a couple of sessions on the route that are quite open to the wind and vulnerable.

The beginning of the race, again, depending on what your goal is, but the beginning of the race, the first section along Blue Route before we start heading in towards Muizenberg and that, can catch a couple of riders out, just with regards to, they’re still in the vibe, there’s a little bit of nerves going. One or two riders might come past them and they feel that they want to hang onto a bunch, just make sure, there is still quite a long way to go so that you don’t overcook yourself in the first section on the Blue Route.

Again, once you get off the main highway and you’re riding along the coastal roads, coming through Simons Town and all that, the atmosphere and the vibe from the spectators on the side of the road is phenomenal. Try and take in as much as you can. Again, things can get a little bit overwhelming, just ride within yourself.

Keeping within your race strategy

Keep in mind your race strategy that you might have put aside and I think it’s important, just on that note, that you do put a race strategy aside, based on your goal and what you’re working towards. Obviously later on in the race we start coming just briefly towards Chapman’s Peak and then Suikerbossie, two of the well renowned climbs in the race. Again, ride within yourself, don’t overdo it coming up those climbs.

There’s some nice fast descending coming down in towards Hout Bay after that, so just make sure you are riding with yourself, know what’s happening with the riders around you and Suikerbossie being probably your last main obstacle of the day, hopefully you’re still feeling really good around that time.

My suggestion is there is where you can really start putting the hammer down a little bit and then pretty much from Suikerbossie it’s a free run in towards the finish line. Again, nice and fast, beautiful scenery, so take in as much as you can because at the end of the day you’re there to have fun as well. I think enjoy the race and stay safe more than anything.

Be aware of road works around you

BB:         Devlin, agreed and just one thing. I’ve been riding bits of that route quite often of late and just a bit of a heads up, there’s been quite a bit of road works between Muizenberg and Fish Hoek on that stretch from Kalk Bay, so the road surface, to be honest, isn’t the greatest.

There’s a lot of man hole covers that are sticking out and some potholes, so just be wary of it on that stretch, just before you come into Fish Hoek, so really be on the lookout and be vigilant there.

The good news is, you mentioned that stretch from the top of Suikerbossie back towards The Twelve Apostles way, they’ve just resurfaced that stretch of road. I rode it last weekend and it is magnificent, it’s like riding on glass, it’s fantastic.

That’s just two bits of the route that you need to look out for and enjoy it. Devlin, I know a lot of people are excited, this is their one big race a year and I think that’s all that’s left to say now, is with race day on Sunday, is have fun and be safe and really, really enjoy the ride.

Devlin Eyden, thank you so much for your time here on today’s podcast, much appreciated, we look forward to catching up again soon and if you’re riding on Sunday, best of luck, let us know how it goes. If you’ve got any question, do be in touch, coachparry.com is where you can get your questions submitted. Until next time, from the two of us, it’s cheers.