The announcement has finally come through which all participants in this year’s Cape Argus Pick n Pay Cycle Tour (March 8) have been hanging to hear.
And the very good news is: The provincial government has intervened to open Chapman's Peak Drive for the event.
The only proviso is that the safety of all those on the Drive on the day of the event is not compromised. Thus said Premier Lynne Brown, following the meeting yesterday afternoon between Tour representative Ken Sturgeon and Finance, Economic Development and Tourism MEC Garth Strachan, among others.
The Cape Argus Pick n Pay Cycle Tour is not only a Cape Town phenomenon but also the world's biggest timed cycle race.
Chappies (as was blogged about on the Travel Blog last week) has been closed since winter 2008. Many of those cyclists who in took part in the Argus when the route was changed to incorporate Ou Kaaps se Weg instead of the oft-out of action yet scenically spectacular Chapman’s Peak vowed not to do so again. The news has therefore been received with much celebration.
Participants, according to a statement from the provincial government released after yesterday’s talks, will use Chappies “entirely at their own risk” and “will be required to indemnify the provincial government and Entilini Concession (Pty) Ltd (operators of the toll road) against any claims and legal liability from their use of the road".
The road will be open on 8 March from 06h00 to 18h00.
