ROAD RACE INFO
jnr races: 15 FEB 2025 | main feature races: 16 FEB 2025 pollok beach, summerstrand.
COLLECTION OF RACE PACKS and late entries
Friday, 14 February 2025, 2pm-6pm, Pollok Beach, Summerstrand, Gqeberha.
Saturday, 15 February 2025, 9am-1pm, Pollok Beach, Summerstrand, Gqeberha.
Please note that collection of race packs will not be permitted on race day, unless prior arrangement is made by out-of-towner/s. An email request must be sent to Race Office for special arrangements: cycletour@theherald.co.za.
ONLINE ENTRIES
Open: November 2024.
Close: Monday, 3 February 2025 at midday.
*NO ONLINE ENTRIES WILL BE ACCEPTED ONLINE AFTER MONDAY, 3 FEBRUARY 2025. LATE CHARITY ENTRIES WILL ONLY BE AVAILABLE ON RACE PACK COLLECTION DAYS.
ROAD JUNIOR RACE ENTRY FEES
2km Kiddies RIDE - R120:
All ages
500m Toddlers’DASH - R90:
All ages
ROAD MAIN FEATURE RACE ENTRY FEES
106km classic OPEN SEEDED- R450:
Age 15+. OPEN SEEDED. This is the standard entry for all amateur athletes, with or without a CSA license. Not eligible for podium position or prize money.
106km C1 RACING GROUP MEN & LADIES (domestic racing license req) - R450:
Age 17+. This is reserved for professional athletes. Domestic racing license required. The Organiser reserves the right to apply seeding criteria if this group is over-subscribed. This group is eligible for podium position and prize money.
106km Racing veteran men & ladies (va/vb/vc)- R450:
Age 30+. This is reserved for racing veterans. The Organiser reserves the right to apply seeding criteria if this group is over-subscribed. Eligible for podium position in age category. Not eligible for overall podium position or prize-money.
106km tandem - R750:
Ages 15+. This is an entry for all tandem athletes - professional and amateur.
106km e-bike - R450:
Ages 19+.
55km PURSUIT (e-bike included)- OPEN SEEDED: - R360:
Ages 12+. This is a standard entry for all amateur athletes, with or without a CSA license.
55km PURSUIT - u15 boys/ u17 boys/ u17 girls rACING : - R360:
Ages 12+. This is reserved for u17 racing boys and girls.
55km tandem - R570:
Ages 12+.This is an entry for all tandem athletes - professional and amateur.
ultimate quest: 106km classic + 80km mtb extreme - R810:
Ages 19+
CSA SANCTIONED EVENT: Cycling SA enforces minimum age restrictions based on race distances for all sanctioned MTB and Road race events. Please only select a race distance that you are allowed to participate in. Your age is based on the age you will be on 31 December on that year of this race. Should a rider enter a distance that is incorrect according to their age, the rider will be disqualified. Kindly note that this is a CSA sanctioned event. The responsibility for understanding and adhering to the rules and age restrictions rests entirely with the rider. By entering, you are confirming your acknowledgement of these rules and confirming you will abide by them.
ROAD RACE START TIMES
|
106KM |
||
|
CODE |
ORDER |
START TIME |
|
C1 |
C1 Racing Group Men (Domestic license req) |
06:00 |
|
VA & VB |
Vets A Men & Vets B Men |
06:03 |
|
C2 |
C2 Racing Group Women (Domestic license req) & vets (30+) ladies |
06:09 |
|
VC |
Vets C |
06:16 |
|
TL |
Tandem |
06:21 |
|
AL |
Open Seeded |
06:23 |
|
CORP |
Open Seeded |
06:25 |
|
BL |
Open Seeded |
06:28 |
|
CL |
Open Seeded |
06:31 |
|
DL |
Open Seeded |
06:34 |
|
EL |
Open Seeded |
06:36 |
|
E-BIKE |
Open Seeded |
06:45 |
|
55 KM |
||
|
CODE |
ORDER |
START TIME |
|
E-BIKE |
|
07:45 |
|
u15/u17 |
Girls & Boys |
07:48 |
|
TM |
Tandem |
07:51 |
|
AM |
Open Seeded |
07:54 |
|
BM |
Open Seeded |
07:57 |
|
CM |
Open Seeded |
08:00 |
|
DM |
Open Seeded |
08:03 |
ROAD RACE ROUTES
106km Route
Riders start off by tackling the streets of Walmer. The route maintains with the 55km course up the Longbarn Climb, after which riders endure the testing climb of Lake Farm.
Riders then head Eastward along Kragga Kamma Road meeting a much flatter course for the next few kilometers, before heading up Butterfield Road. After a short stretch on the Old Cape Road, riders meander through Draaifontein Road before descending down “The Wall” at high speed to the base of the Maitlands Climb. Here riders will hope for a tail wind as they ascend the climb of Maitlands before continuing along Seaview Road. Riders tackle the last stretch of the race, along Schoenmakerskop and accelerate their way past the picturesque coastal village, returning to the Start/Finish via Marine Drive.
55km Route
The 2025 route remains unchanged with riders tackling some challenging climbs but also being treated to stunning views along the Gqeberha coastline.
Riders begin at Pollok Beach, head down Marine Drive, continue onto Beach Road and turn left into Walmer Boulevard. Riders then tackle the streets of Walmer up to the top of Mount Pleasant. From here the route deviates off Seaview Road and tackles the Longbarn Climb followed by the undulations of Old Seaview Road. The route rejoins Seaview Road and continues Eastward through Schoemakerskop, returning to the Start/Finish via Marine Drive.
Download the 55km route file: GPX TCX
riders route map 2o25
MOTORISTS ROAD CLOSURE MAP 2025
Cut Off Times 106km & 55km road race
cut off times
09:45: Walmer Blvd, and Old Seaview Road turn off (Mount Pleasant) intersection.
10:00: Kraggakamma Road and Butterfield Road intersection.
10:30: Draaifontein Road and Cape Road intersection.
11:30: Maitlands Road/Beachview Road and Seaview Road (Seaview Spar intersection).
12:00: Seaview Road and Heron Road intersection.
13:00: Finish line cut off.
Notes
Estimates are based on the fastest cyclist riding an average speed of 40km per hour, and the slowest cyclist riding at an average speed of 18km per hour.
Roads close 1 hour before cyclists are expected at each intersection
Roads re-open when last cyclist is through the relevant intersection (re-opening times are estimates)
Residents will be directed in and out of their suburbs during the Road Closure Times
Please adhere to the directions given by the Race Marshalls and Traffic Officials
Water Points
Long Barn - 15.2km
Lake Farm - 24km
Altona School - 34.3km
Maitland Mines - 50.6km
Seaview Road - 72.6km
The Willows - 92.6km
ROAD ACCOMMODATION
town lodge group, gqeberha
The internationally renowned hotel, which is situated close to the start and finish line of the race in Summerstrand offers an ideal stay for all cyclists and travelling supporters. The Town Lodge Group will offer preferential accommodation rates to all participants, who will be able to experience the energy and excitement of the weekend festival of cycling, as the hotel becomes a hive of activity with Herald Cycle Tour riders staying at the hotel enjoying exceptional staff hospitality and excellent facilities. The preferential booking rates valid from 7-16 February 2025 are as per the below. Please contact the Town Lodge Hotel, Gqeberha and use the code HERALD as reference on 041 509 2000.
R1475,00 per room, per night single occupancy, breakfast included.
R1690,00 per room, per night double occupancy, breakfast included.
THE GREEN NUMBER CLUB
The prestigious Green Number Club is made up of a unique group of cyclists who have completed ten or more Herald Cycle Tours 106km Classic Feature Races.
These cyclists are allocated a permanent Green Number to ride in any subsequent Cycle Tour as a form of recognition of their distinguished achievement. Within this Green Number Club there are also a number of cyclists who have achieved the remarkable feat of participating in twenty or more Herald Cycle Tours. Considering that the 2025 event is the 39th edition of this event, this is a phenomenal achievement!
Could all entrants that have completed ten or more Herald Cycle Tours, please complete the below form for verification purposes to the Race Office so that you can be allocated a permanent Green Number. Applications for Green numbers must be submitted by Friday, 6 December 2024.
To the cyclists who have already been allocated a permanent number, your contact details are also required in order to update our database.
ROAD RACE PRIZE MONEY
106km coastal classic (C1 RACING GROUP MEN. DOMESTIC RACING LICENSE REQ)
1st place R5000.00
2nd place R4000.00
3rd place R3000.00
106km coastal classic (C2 RACING GROUP LADIES. DOMESTIC RACING LICENSE REQ)
1st place R5000.00
2nd place R4000.00
3rd place R3000.00
ultimate quest men and women
Men: R2000.00
Women: R2000.00