Entries for 38th The Herald Cycle Tour now open!

SPEEDING AHEAD: Entries have opened for the 2024 Herald Cycle Tour, one of the Eastern Cape's most iconic cycling festivals. Photo: Richard Pearce

With entries for the 38th edition opening today, The Herald Cycle Tour again stakes its claim as one of South Africa’s most iconic cycling festivals.

The event will be staged over two weekends early next year. The MTB races at the Addo Polo Club are penned in for February 11 and the road events at Pollok Beach in Gqeberha for February 17 and 18.

The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality is returning as title sponsor for a third consecutive year.

The Herald and Weekend Post editor Rochelle de Kock invited cyclists and their families to join the festivities.

“At the 2023 event we encouraged families to come out in numbers and it was a big success,” she said.

“We are hoping that next year will be even better and are calling on the Bay community to come out to not only support the riders, but also to enjoy a fun- filled day.”

The Herald Cycle Tour had a positive economic impact on the city, benefiting both the hospitality sector and small businesses that formed part of the organising team, she added.

It is also a vehicle to raise funds for charities and foundations. This year’s beneficiaries are The Herald Christmas Cheer Fund, Smile Foundation, Reach for a Dream and Uthando Youth Cycling Academy.

Charmaine Williams, the municipality’s director for sports, recreation, arts and culture, said the City would ensure that traffic, metro police and other related services would work together to deliver a successful event.

“It is the second-oldest cycling classic [in the country], having started in 1986 and boasting a longstanding tradition of delivering a memorable cycling experience for all riders,” she said, adding that it drew participants from across the country.

“Our unique tourism attractions in the form of our cultural and heritage assets, as well as our beaches, natural environment and services offered to event organisers, make Gqeberha and the province a preferred destination to host sporting events.”

The Herald Cycle Tour traditionally attracts some 3 000 participants.

The 80km Extreme is the feature event on the off-road programme. Riders can also compete in the 60km Adventure, 30km Leisure, 5km Kiddies’ Ride and 500m Toddlers’ Dash.

The road events are noted for the 106km Classic on the Sunday. It is supported by the 55km Adventure, which is aimed at age-group riders and tandems.

The 2km Kiddies’ Ride and 500m Toddlers’ Dash take place the previous day.

Those who tackle both the MTB and road feature races will compete for the Ultimate Quest title.

The race village will offer a range of stalls and activities, including family picnic zones, family tent, beer garden, kids’ play park, live entertainment and the Standard Bank VIP lounges.

Numerous businesses are supporting the 2024 event, including the Eastern Cape Motors Group, Standard Bank, Powerade, Town Lodge Group, Relay EMS, Talisman Hire & K&W, Trek and Cyclo Pro, Thule, Wayne Pheiffer Cycles, Coimbra Cycle Centre and Goshawk.

Entrants can support Helmet Heroes, which is a safety programme designed for those who commute by bicycle in the Walmer Township area. They can make a token donation on entry or drop off a preloved helmet at registration.

Entries close at midday on February 5. To enter and for more information, visit www.heraldcycletour.co.za.

For other queries, email The Herald’s marketing manager Berna Ulay-Walters at ulayb@theherald.co.za.