In preparation for the 45th Cape Town Cycle Tour, we asked a few of our CIOVITA ambassadors, employees, and friends of the brand what their top tips are for completing an enjoyable CTCT.
Whether you are a seasoned roadie that drinks oat milk flat whites for breakfast, a weekend warrior with hopes of comfortably completing CTCT despite all those training rides you missed, or taking on your first road race, we have some expert tips from our team to ease your pre-race nerves.
SELWYN MAGGOT - COMPLETED 43 TOURS
"Fuel and hydrate (avoid plain water) properly"
“Proper preparation takes months and can be lost in the last week or two before race day by doing too much in the hope of gaining extra fitness. Focus on rest by reducing your time and volume of training but keep up the frequency and intensity of previous weeks. So don't spend the whole of the last week on the couch. Fuel and hydrate (avoid plain water) properly in the days leading up to the race. Being properly prepared will definitely enhance the enjoyment of race day.”
NICHOLAS DLAMINI - PROFESSIONAL CYCLIST, CIOVITA AMBASSADOR
“Don’t overthink it.”
“First step is don’t think too much about it, CTCT is just another cycling race that one must enjoy. Naturally, people start to panic as CTCT is quite a long route for someone who doesn’t ride bikes for a living and if you start to think too much about it, it starts to play in your mind. Go out there and really enjoy it, don’t take the race too seriously, and just from that you can find yourself doing much better.”
MATT DANEEL - INDEPENDENT FINANCIAL ADVISER, CIOVITA AMBASSADOR
“Pain shared is pain halved”
“Pain shared is pain halved. Talk to the riders around you, find riders that have a similar goal time, and work together to achieve it. Make sure your bike is race ready and rather use tyres with more puncture protection. You’ll barely notice a difference in speed, but there will also be less of a chance of you missing your goal time sitting on the side of the road fixing flats.”
TEGAN PHILLIPS - ADVENTURE CYCLIST, CIOVITA AMBASSADOR
“Get as many high-fives as you can.”
“My top tip for CTCT, if you’re going for a good time, is to do whatever it takes to be in a good bunch at the top of Wynberg hill. That bunch will pull you all the way to Smits! In prep, try not to hype it up too much in your head, a relaxed mindset makes all the difference. If you’re not doing it for time, then get as many high-fives as you can and stop for a beer and snack somewhere;)”
COURTENEY WEBB - ELITE CYCLIST, CIOVITA AMBASSADOR
“Check all the boxes. SAVE YOUR BEANS. Look up and enjoy the views!”
“Check all the boxes beforehand! CTCT can be hectic, the route is busy and the groups are big and can be frantic. Arrive well on time to get into your start chute so you’re not stressing in the morning and so that you can get that “pre-race pic”. Have a look at the weather forecast the day before and plan your outfit accordingly.
SAVE YOUR BEANS! Whether you’re starting at the normal start-line in town or in the women’s starts-line in Fish Hoek, there is always a huge temptation to go big on the first few climbs when everyone is feeling excitable and your legs are fresh…but the real decision makers in your overall race time and experience are always Chapmans Peak, Suikerbossie and the deceiving stretch to get back to Sea Point. My tip is to race smart and be patient until these climbs and then go all in! Odds are, your time will be faster because you won’t be facing a bonk on these climbs.
Remember to look up and enjoy the views! CTCT is one of the most beautiful events on the calendar as we traverse the peninsula to finish under one of the 7 world wonders! Don’t forget to enjoy…fun = fast!”
PALESA MABUZA - SOCIAL CYCLIST, CIOVITA AMBASSADOR
“Set your own goals.”
“Set your own goals, be it for leisure, just to finish the race, racing, or just a fun riding experience with fellow cyclists. Go with an open mind to enjoy the race, last year it rained from start to finish. Take in the beautiful scenery, Cape Town Cycle Tour is a one of a kind experience, and don't forget to say Hoopla at the start!”
CANDICE LILL - PRO MTB RACER, CIOVITA AMBASSADOR
“Don’t try anything new or ‘fancy’."
“Don’t try anything new or ‘fancy’ because it’s a race. Eat what you normally eat for breakfast and fuel as you normally would. Don’t get new shoes or cleats the week before the race. Just relax and enjoy the ride. But also, make sure you have some energy left in the tank for Suikerbossie. Pace yourself wisely.”
MALCOLM LANGE - OLYMPIAN, RETIRED PRO BIKE RIDER
“Cycling kit makes a massive difference.”
“Cycling kit makes a massive difference. I see a lot of people who don't wear bib shorts. Bib shorts are, in my eyes, essential because they keep the chamois firm against the crotch, which is what you want. You don’t want a lot of chafing and movement from the saddle, and you want to try to be as aero as possible. But not everybody wants to be a racing snake, so I think CIOVITA has all those boxes ticked. You can choose from kit that is more relaxed, a looser fight and something which is skin tight. Ticking all the boxes for whatever you need - which is fantastic! They even have awesome bibs where you can put your gels in your leggings - I don’t know why no one ever thought of that - I think it is brilliant! Rather than reaching into small back pockets which can be dangerous.”
ZANDI ROHRER - CIOVITA HEAD OF SYSTEMS, PROCESS AND OPTIMISATION
“Wear your fastest jersey out there."
“Make sure you eat enough throughout the race. Even if it requires one to stop and get off the bike. If it is a little cold, then a black bag or piece of newspaper is a great way to keep warm while waiting in the start chute. You can then get rid of it just as the start gun goes off. Make sure you wear your fastest jersey out there and the comfiest bibs. Do not start too fast and rather aim to be strong on Chappies and Suikerbossie. Lots of time can be made up with a strong run to the finish.”
CAMRYN STEENKAMP - CIOVITA RETAIL STORE MANAGER
“If you're not smiling you're missing the point."
“Get used to waking up at whatever time you will need to wake up on the day (If you have to wake up early, do so for two weeks before the race.) Get used to eating whatever you're going to eat on the day (And make sure you bring lots to eat on the day!) Prep your bike, kit, food, and transport well ahead of the race so that on the day all you have to do is get dressed and show up. Remember that from the moment you leave home on the way until the moment you get back, you are there to enjoy the ride. It's an incredible privilege to be able to ride the way you will get to on the day, from the closed road to the community that travels far and wide to ride with you. Just take it all in, if you're not smiling you're missing the point.
The CTCT presents a unique opportunity to celebrate the beauty of Cape Town and the privilege of cycling alongside thousands of cyclists ranging from elite athletes to beginners. With full road closure and plenty of effort and “gees” put into the event, we encourage you to make the most of this Cape Town Cycle Tour, with that in mind we leave you with a conclusive summary of our team's top tips.
Make sure to wear your fastest jersey out there as cycling kit makes a massive difference towards an enjoyable ride. Don’t try anything new or ‘fancy’ and set your own goals, ride your own race. Fuel and hydrate properly to avoid the infamous ‘bonk’ and be sure to SAVE YOUR BEANS, Suikerbossie is a long climb after a big effort. Pain shared is pain halved so get as many high-fives as you can and remember to look up and enjoy the views, if you're not smiling you're missing the point.
