Two different riders, two distinct routes, one unified team … The Herald Continental Cycle Tour’s newest addition to the event is proving irresistible for riders of all levels and all ages. 

Combining one rider’s love for road racing, another’s love for the off-road, and everyone’s love for nature at its breath-taking best, the Herald Continental Cycle Tour’s Team Relay Challenge is a race with a difference.  

This scenic 2-leg race along Nelson Mandela Bay’s beachfront is a 23km road race along Marine Drive and a 15km mountain bike relay through Nelson Mandela University’s Nature Reserve. 

Now in its third year, the Team Relay Challenge is becoming ultra-popular amongst friends, couples, families, and workmates who challenge each other (and themselves) with one team member racing the road route and the other the mountain bike route.  

While it can be as competitive as you make it, the relay event is one that clearly pulses with camaraderie, teambuilding, and friendly rivalry, and is truly a race for all ages and fitness levels. In fact, the friendly rivalry is already playing out at The Herald’s HQ as some of the staff are starting to egg each other on in preparation for their own inter-departmental challenges. 

As a competitor in the Team Relay Challenge, you can expect all the incredible support, organisation, safety, and post-race entertainment The Herald Continental Cycle Tour has to offer. The event is, after all, South Africa’s 2nd oldest cycling classic. 

The festive Race Village at Pollok Beach has everything for everyone. Face painting and food trucks, balloon art and local DJs, play parks and live entertainment, coffee bars and beer gardens. And, being the city that embodies the spirit of Nelson Mandela, warm hearted people everywhere. 

Of course there are the prizes too. The top 3 Team Relay finishers get to ride off with a pocketful of cash – R5,000 for first position, R3,000 for second position and R1,000 for third position. The proceeds generated from the Team Relay Challenge will also be allocated towards one of The Herald Continental Cycle Tour’s beneficiaries. 

If you’re looking for a fun and unique way to connect with your city, to connect with the people in your city, to be healthy and happy, to find a new love for the sport, to ‘get your social on’, this is your day. 

DATES

Saturday, 23 February 2019

Start/Finish: Race Village, Pollok Beach, Port Elizabeth

07h00 38km Team Relay (23km Road + 15km Mountain Bike)

Prize Giving: 10h45 

Enter on www.heraldcycletour.co.za. Entries close 27 January 2019 at midnight.

The rolling ocean, the abundance of nature, the beautiful city of Port Elizabeth all to yourself, the intoxicating spirit of true camaraderie, smiling faces and clapping crowds … it’s no wonder why riders believe this is the new benchmark in South African road cycling races.  

Palpably euphoric, the road race route winds through Port Elizabeth, the city that embodies the spirit of Nelson Mandela, it bursts into lush farmlands, streams through small coastal villages, and hugs the spectacular coastline on the way to the finish. It is not uncommon to make lifelong friends, or to be accompanied for a while by PE’s local school of dolphins. 

What makes this deeply rewarding ride even better is the superb organisation and safety of the event. The Herald Continental Cycle Tour is one of the few races in SA that still offers road closure on race days. The over 80 traffic officials, 105 marshals and teams of medics are all on duty to ensure riders are safe and secure come race day.  

Every year, without fail, the Herald Continental Cycle Tour inspires enthusiastic comments from the riders. Aidan van Niekerk says, ‘Race of the year goes to The Herald Continental Cycle Tour.’ BCX’s Team Manager Malcolm Lange says it’s ‘the best road race on the calendar for elite riders.’ And Deirdre Burger loved everything about it. ‘We loved the atmosphere, the route, the friendliness, and the wind behind us on the way home. Thank you and well done! You made PE proud!’  

But you don’t need to be a pro to enjoy South Africa’s 2nd oldest cycling classic. Whether you’re in the saddle to race or for fun, whether you’re going to be chasing or relaxing, whether you’re on the 106km Coastal Classic or the 55km Pursuit, this balanced road route is yours to race exactly the way you want to.  

The Herald Continental Cycle Tour really is an event that could make an entire family happy. The beachfront Race Village is a delight with everything from face painting and play parks for the kids to food trucks, a coffee bar, a beer garden and live entertainment. The ever-popular Cycle Tour Lounge even includes VIP parking and lunch with the pros. 

And as a visitor to the Sunshine Coast, there’s an endless amount of fun to be had. There are stretches and stretches of pristine beaches for walking, surfing, bathing, dolphin watching and whale spotting. There are Big 5 game reserves, ocean tours, penguin colonies … all on our doorstep. So why not make a holiday of it? 

DATES:

Sunday, 24 February 2019

Start/Finish: Race Village, Pollok Beach, Port Elizabeth

06h00 106km Coastal Classic

08h00 55km Pursuit 

Enter on www.heraldcycletour.co.za. Entries close 27 January 2019 at midnight.

THE Eastern Cape Motor Group (ECMG) is excited to again drive The Herald Continental Cycle Tour forward as the official vehicle supporter. 

ECMG will support the Cycle Tour – taking place in February next year - with a fleet of 22 Ford vehicles to assist with the efficient running of all the race events. 

ECMG has been involved with the Cycle Tour for three years and ECMG Director Stephen Theodosiou said his team was looking forward to another fantastic Cycle Tour. 

“We support The Herald Continental Cycle Tour because it is a world-class event and it belongs to Port Elizabeth, the ‘Jewel of Southern Africa’. The race is available to all levels of cyclists across South Africa and beyond: from pros to weekenders, on-road to mountain-bikers, men, women and youngsters. It is an ideal event for the Eastern Cape Motor Group to support and be involved in,” Theodosiou said. 

The ECMG branded vehicles will be used prior to the Cycle Tour to advertise the race events, as well as marking the route, setting out barricades and doing other pre-race checks on the days leading up to the race events.

On race day it will be used as road lead vehicles, sweep vehicles, transporting course co-ordinators, judges, media and registration staff, as well as taking water and drinks to the different waterpoints. The Ford Mustang will take place in front of the peloton leading the best of South African cycling talent.  

The models of Ford vehicles that will be used for The Herald Continental Cycle Tour include the go-anywhere Ranger 4x4 Double Cab, the spacious Everest, the new Ecosport, Fiesta and the new Figo. 

“The cycling fraternity has been very rapid in recognising Eastern Cape Motor’s support of the Cycle Tour and that the Ford range has many vehicles suited to their active outdoor lifestyles and family activities. Our staff look forward to not only participate in the various cycling events, but also the great camaraderie and fun associated with the race events. The 2019 Herald Continental Cycle Tour is sure to be even bigger and better,” Theodosiou said. 

The mountain bike race takes place on Sunday, February 17 at Addo. The 106km Coastal Classic and 55km Pursuit races take place on Sunday, February 24 in Port Elizabeth. The two highly contested road races are preceded by the Team Relay Challenge and Junior Cycle tour races, taking place on Saturday, February 23 – also in Port Elizabeth. 

All entries close at midnight on Sunday, 27 January 2019. Event information and registration is available on The Herald Continental Cycle Tour website at www.heraldcycletour.co.za

CYCLISTS can expect to eat, sleep and race like a pro when taking part in the 2019 Herald Continental Cycle Tour. 

Radisson Blu Hotel PE, official partner for The Herald Continental Cycle Tour is perfectly located right across from the start/finish line of the road races at Pollok Beach. From here cyclists will ride along some of the city’s most scenic routes.  

The 106km Coastal Classic and 55km Pursuit races take place on Sunday, February 24. The two highly contested road races are preceded by the Team Relay Challenge and Junior Cycle Tour races, taking place on Saturday, February 23.  

Radisson Blu Hotel PE General Manager Yashvir Jithoo said The Herald Continental Cycle Tour is one of the long-standing, most prestigious sporting events hosted in Nelson Mandela Bay. 

“Radisson Blu Hotel PE, as an international brand, looks forward to supporting and providing a warm Friendly City welcome to the travellers from out-of-town. This event is a great draw-card for the city, as it brings in national and international cyclists and visitors,” Jithoo said. 

The Radisson Blu Hotel PE offers an ideal stay for The Herald Continental Cycle Tour’s out-of-town cyclists and their travelling supporters, not only because of its location and proximity to the starting line, but also because of the hotel’s superior service and attention to detail. 

“Our hospitable staff are there to take care of the guests and provide them with a great and memorable experience. We go the extra mile for cyclists staying at the hotel providing bike racks, early breakfasts and other smaller details,” Jithoo said. 

Jithoo said the Radisson Blu Hotel PE staff is mindful that, looking beyond race day, the cyclists could consider the city for return leisure visits or weekend getaways throughout the year. 

As official accommodation partners, Radisson Blu Hotel will offer preferential rates for cyclists and their supporters between 18 and 28 February 2019.  

A 25% saving on early bird entries are available until November 30.  For more information, visit The Herald Continental Cycle Tour website at www.heraldcycletour.co.za

Showcasing a competitive edge at this year’s Team Relay Challenge were Continental Tyre SA team riders from left Anton Verwey; Ian Langlands; Austin Brett; Trevor Gascoyne; Clint Henderson. Continental Tyre SA look forward battling it out at the 3rd edition of the Team Relay race next year.

GRAB a team mate and register now for the 2019 The Herald Continental Cycle Tour Team Relay Challenge. 

The popular cycling event offers beginners and expert cyclists the opportunity to challenge themselves, their friends, family or workmates, to compete in the 2-leg scenic race along Nelson Mandela Bay’s beachfront.  

Registration has opened for the third annual Team Relay Challenge, which will take place on Saturday, 23 February, from Pollok Beach, Summerstrand. The Team Relay Challenge involves a 23km road race along Marine Drive and a 15km mountain bike relay through Nelson Mandela University’s Nature Reserve. 

The participating teams will comprise of two riders – one competing in the mountain bike race and another in the road race. All riders can look forward to a fun-filled day of camaraderie and friendly rivalry between friends and colleagues. 

The Herald Chief Marketing Officer Justin Peel said teams of all ages and fitness levels are invited to enter the Team Relay Challenge, to enjoy a cycling event that is purely focused on having a good time on the bicycle.  

“The phenomenal atmosphere created is something to experience first-hand, the on-route camaraderie and fun is unique to this event. So, whether you’re entering to be competitive or to simply soak up the fun atmosphere, there’s something for every rider,” said Peel. 

The defending 2018 Corporate Challenge winners, Steven Shirley and Ronnie Scheffer from Coimbra Cycles, will once again enter in the 2019 event. 

“This is a great event because the distances are short. You race flat-out from the get-go, over a relatively short period of time. The race is as hard as you make it. It really is great to work and compete as a team,” said Shirley.  

A portion of the proceeds generated from the Team Relay Challenge will be allocated towards one of The Herald Continental Cycle Tour’s beneficiaries. 

And in what has become a The Herald tradition, the company will also be entering a few teams in the Corporate category.  

“The inter-departmental challenges have already begun with everyone looking forward to a fun day with colleagues and their families,” said Peel. 

The race village at Pollok Beach will offer great entertainment for children and adults alike with a dedicated Kiddies Play Park, live entertainment, food trucks, a beer garden and coffee bar. 

Cash prizes are up for grabs for the top 3 Team Relay finishers which includes R5000 for first position, R3000 for second position and R1000 for third position. 

Riders can save 25% on their entries if they sign up for the early bird tickets, which have opened and will run until 30 November 2018. 

For more information and to register visit www.heraldcycletour.co.za

PARK & RIDE: Cyclists can once again look forward to first-class rider and spectator experience at next year’s Herald Continental MTB race, to be hosed at the Addo Polo Club.

The Eastern Cape’s most anticipated mountain bike race is once again around the corner, riders of all abilities can expect a fun-filled day at The Herald Continental Cycle Tour mountain bike race taking place on February 17, 2019 at the Addo Polo Club, says race director Brad Jackson. 

Besides enjoying the well-maintained purpose-built trails, riders will also be exposed to some of the most breath-taking scenery the region has to offer.  

The purpose-built mountain bike routes wind their way through the picturesque  Karoo bushveld and ensure that riders get to experience some of South Africa’s finest single track trails topped off with stunning views over the vast Addo region. 

“The routes once again incorporate some of the famous Hayterdale single track trails for the 60 km Adventure and the 80km Extreme races,” Jackson said. 

“The 30km route remains unchanged from previous years taking in the area around the Sundays River Valley through the vast citrus orchards the area is well known for”. 

“The 80km is designed to be a challenging ride with technical single track and plenty of climbing.”  

“The 60km Adventure ride is the perfect balance between challenging and fun with a mixture of open gravel roads, single track and moderate climbing the 30km Leisure ride is an easy one which is purpose built for families and friends wanting to enjoy a morning out on the bike”  

There are plenty of water points on all the routes fully-stocked and equipped to keep riders hydrated and fuelled,” he said. “Once again riders can expect a festive atmosphere at the various water points”.  

The race director also suggested that riders of all distances take a little time to check that their mountain bikes are in top condition before race day. 

“For all riders it’s important to make sure that your bike is ready for the race. Get your bikes serviced and ready for the race. You don’t want to arrive unprepared. 

Riders must collect their race packs on Friday, February 15 between 9am-7pm and also on Saturday, February 16 between 9am-1pm at Pollok Beach and on Sunday. 

The Race Village will be fully loaded with plenty of activities to keep the whole family entertained before, during and after the race. 

The mountain bike race village will offer true farmers hospitality from the Addo community with a traditional farmers market, food prepared by the locals, tractor rides for children and horse rides.

 If you plan to spend the night, various camping options are available for riders and spectators. 

Riders are permitted to erect their own tent within the dedicated area at the Addo Polo Club at R100 per adult and R50 per child under 12-years per night. 

Luxury tents are also available from R450 per tent, with two beds and mattresses included, for an extra R150 linen will be included with the offering. 

For those wanting to save 25% on their entry fees, Early bird entries are available until November 30, 2018. 

Visit The Herald Continental Cycle Tour website for additional camping and race information: www.heraldcycletour.co.za