Entries for Die Burger Cycle Tour 2009, the Western Cape’s second largest cycle race, are open.

The event takes place on Sunday 29 November and is the final seeding opportunity for the 2010 Cape Argus Pick n Pay Cycle Tour.

Due to extensive road works in the greater Stellenbosch area, Die Burger Cycle Tour’s route had to be amended and will now start and finish at the Nelson’s Creek Wine Estate on the R44 near Wellington. 

“We are very proud of the fact that Die Burger Cycle Tour has become such a popular fixture on the Western Cape’s annual cycling calendar,” says Henry Jeffreys, editor of Die Burger. “The new mountain bike route can accommodate more cyclists and we hope to see plenty of families tackling this scenic route.” 

The routes

This year the race features a 97km road distance and a 30km family-friendly mountain bike route.

The 97 km route is for more serious cyclists and those hoping to improve their starting time at the 2010 Cape Argus Pick n Pay Cycle Tour.
• From the start at Nelson’s Creek cyclists will pedal along the outskirts of Wellington via the R45 to Lady Loch Road towards Hermon and Riebeek Kasteel via the R44.
• A left turn onto the R46 will see cyclists continue towards Malmesbury passing beautiful fields of flowers.
• Once in Malmesbury cyclists will pedal along Leodolf Road to exit Malmesbury on the R302 before returning via Voor Paardeberg Road.
• Cyclists will then turn left onto the R44 at Windmeul and head for the finish just before Nelson’s Creek.

The scenic 30 km mountain bike route will take riders towards the beautiful Paardeberg: 
• It’s an easy flat dirt road suitable for families.
• The route will take riders through an amazingly diverse landscape including rolling wheat lands and some orchards.

Entries for the event are limited to 4,000 road and 1,000 mountain bike participants. Visit www.dieburgercycletour.co.za for more info or join the Cape Town Cycle Tour Trust’s Facebook group.