Stay close to the action at 38th The Herald Cycle Tour

GEARING UP: The City Lodge Hotel Group is set to be a hive of activity soon as visitors from out-of-town head to Gqeberha for the 38th edition of The Herald Cycle Tour. The team at the City Lodge Hotel are looking forward to welcoming all riders and their families and promise to provide an experience to remember. Gearing up for the event, from left, are the crew from the City Lodge Hotel Group, receptionist Phateka Thomas, with The Herald marketing manager Berna Ulay-Walters, breakfast chef Clauraine Goeda and assistant general manager Kym Walker. Photo: WERNER HILLS

Out-of-town participants will be treated to panoramic views of Algoa Bay before they have even turned a pedal in anger at this year’s The Herald Cycle Tour.

Town Lodge, which offered riders a cosy stay in sight of the race village for four years in the recent past, is back as the official accommodation sponsor and general manager Glen Pappin cannot be happier.

“We are delighted to continue our relationship with the organisers of this fantastic event that is a firm favourite on the annual sporting calendar,” he said.

The cycle tour, hosted by Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality, is an important event for the tourism and hospitality sectors in and around the metro.

“This major cycling race is also a fun day out for family and friends, with so much to see, do and experience in our vibrant city,” Pappin said.

The accommodation establishment, he said, was geared for the expected influx of visitors and looking forward to sharing “this beautiful region of South Africa” with everyone.

For the 38th edition of the cycling classic, Town Lodge is offering preferential rates on single and double rooms to entrants and their respective entourages on the evenings of February 16 and 17. The special includes breakfast.

It is one of four properties within the City Lodge Hotel Group, all located along the beachfront and close to The Boardwalk Casino and Entertainment Complex.

The Courtyard Hotel offers four-star luxury while City Lodge provides three-star comfort. The offering also includes the super affordable Road Lodge.

The hotels serve breakfast, lunch and dinner and feature swimming pools and sundowner bars.

The mountain bike races get underway from the Addo Polo Club on February 11, while the road events take place from Pollok Beach in the Friendly City on February 17 and 18.

Accommodation can be booked at www.citylodgehotels.com and riders can enter at www.heraldcycletour.co.za until noon on February 5.