Online entries are virtually streaming in for the first national classic of the year as prospective entrants rush to make the deadline for The Herald VWSA Cycle Tour, which is just less than week away. The mountain bike and road races will take place in Addo and Port Elizabeth on February 2 and 3. Justin Peel, The Herald's chief marketing officer, said the response had been excellent, with twice the number of entries received via the website compared to the same period last … [Read more...] about Cycle Tour deadline looms
cycle tour
Kids Cycle Enduro
Due to demand from budding cyclists, The Herald VWSA Cycle Tour has introduced an "endurance" challenge for children called the Powerade 10km Sprint. Aimed at the 10 to 12 year age group, the latest addition to the Powerade-sponsored family road events effectively bridges the gap between the 21km Leisure Ride on the one side and the 2km Kiddies' Ride and 500m Toddlers' Dash on the other. According to event coordinator Linda Harwood, the new race fulfilled the organisers' vision to offer a … [Read more...] about Kids Cycle Enduro
Port Elizabeth set to pamper cyclists
With everything from camping facilities to five-star accommodation available, participants in The Herald VW Cycle Tour will be able to rest easy during their stay in Port Elizabeth. The annual weekend festival of cycling, which includes the road events in Port Elizabeth and the mountain bike races at Addo, is set for February 1 to 3 this year. Official accommodation sponsors Town Lodge PE, on the city's beachfront, and Zuurberg Mountain Village, at Addo, are offering special rates for … [Read more...] about Port Elizabeth set to pamper cyclists
Fit Enough for the Extreme Cycling Challenge?
Participants in The Herald VW Cycle Tour will have a chance to show their true mettle when they take on the new Ultimate Quest in Port Elizabeth and Addo from February 1 to 3. The Ultimate Quest is designed to reveal the supreme cyclist overall across both the 80km Extreme mountain bike challenge on the Saturday and 106km Classic road race on the Sunday. According to The Herald's chief marketing officer Justin Peel, the seed of the idea grew from organisers' vision to improve the offering … [Read more...] about Fit Enough for the Extreme Cycling Challenge?
R400 000 just for riding a bike!
With over R400 000 in prizes and some major changes in store, organisers are aiming to attract cyclists from across the country when The Herald VW Cycle Tour takes place in Addo and Port Elizabeth from February 2 to 3. According to event coordinator Linda Harwood, the 2013 edition would see bigger incentives, better routes and a brand-new race village, as well as the addition of the Ultimate Quest super-category. "We strive to keep this event fresh and exciting for both loyal and … [Read more...] about R400 000 just for riding a bike!
Extreme Addo Mountain Bike Challenge
Organisers of the Eastern Cape's biggest mountain bike event, The Herald VW Cycle Tour, will finally get to roll out their much-anticipated trails at Addo on February 2 after torrential rains rendered the new course unrideable this year. "I'm pleased to say that the 2012 downpours haven't put a damper on the enthusiasm for next year's event," said race director Brad Jackson of Mountain Events. "We have gone to great lengths to rain-proof large portions of the existing track by laying down … [Read more...] about Extreme Addo Mountain Bike Challenge
Online Cycling
The Herald VW Cycle Tour's new-look website and social media platforms, which launched this week, are making it easier for cyclists to enter online and get the latest news on the event. The 27th edition promises a full weekend festival of cycling, starting with the mountain bike challenge at Addo on February 4 and culminating in the road events at Hobie Beach in Port Elizabeth the following day. "The website is your hub for everything related to the event," said The Herald's chief … [Read more...] about Online Cycling
Tony Cooney is up for a Cycling Challenge
Former East Cape Cycling track commissioner Tony Cooney proved yet again that he's not afraid of a challenge when he took on the role of road race director for The Herald VW Cycle Tour. The organiser of the annual "Skrik vir Niks" event, which sees cyclists riding from Port Elizabeth to Cape Town, said he was looking forward to running the 27th edition of the national classic that takes place on February 4 and 5. "I'm not a top-notch cyclist myself," said Cooney, "but I have a passion for … [Read more...] about Tony Cooney is up for a Cycling Challenge
Mountainous challenge for new organisers
A growing demand for professionally organised mountain biking events in the Eastern Cape has seen two entrepreneurs start a dedicated business and take over the reins of the off-road portion of The Herald VW Cycle Tour. Earlier this year former competitive cross-country riders Brad Jackson and Julie Briggs, both from Port Elizabeth, started Mountain Events after witnessing a steady growth in the sport over the past five years. As committee members of the Fat Tracks Mountain Bike Club, they … [Read more...] about Mountainous challenge for new organisers
Celebrating Seven Years of Driving the Cycle Tour
Volkswagen Group South Africa has confirmed it will drive one of the Eastern Cape's most popular family lifestyle events, The Herald VW Cycle Tour, for the seventh year running. The announcement comes on the back of a record-breaking production year for the Uitenhage-based vehicle manufacturer. Speaking at the launch of the 27th edition of the event, VWSA general manager of communications Matt Gennrich said the company was once again proud to be associated with the race. "It's a very … [Read more...] about Celebrating Seven Years of Driving the Cycle Tour
Don’t Hoot at the Cyclists Please
Nelson Mandela Bay motorists should remain calm tomorrow (Tuesday, 22 February) when the eyes of the international cycling community will be on Nelson Mandela Bay for the Cell C Tour of South Africa. Rolling road closures require some discipline and understanding from public motorists as well as a commitment to obey traffic officials and marshals. In total 14 international teams are competing in this competition in perhaps the biggest international cycling event since we last had a cycling … [Read more...] about Don’t Hoot at the Cyclists Please
Cycle Tour Congestion !
Sir ! Its great to have the tour here in P.E. but the road congestion it caused was monstrous to-day (Friday, 4 February). Would it not be better to re -route it in future further away from high traffic zones in the city ? … [Read more...] about Cycle Tour Congestion !
Heralding a New Season
Back in the day, the "proper" cycling season was winter. The reasoning behind this anomaly, I assume, was for it to run concurrently with the European schedule. This meant our country's top riders would be race-fit and able to compete overseas at the drop of a hat. The fact that we were in the midst of two decades of sporting isolation, and largely unwelcome on the Continent and elsewhere, didn't seem to enter the administrators' thoughts - however, to be fair to them, the pumping track … [Read more...] about Heralding a New Season
