Cape Town’s roads will make way for the Cape Argus Pick n Pay Cycle Tour this weekend. Photo courtesy Mark Auer

Numerous roads in Cape Town and surrounding areas, will be closed on Saturday and Sunday because of the Cape Argus Pick n Pay Cycle Tour.

About 30 000 cyclists will take part in the main event on Sunday, and the 109km route needs to accommodate many more spectators. This year the event features cycling legend, Lance Armstorng, who is sure to attract many extra spectators.

On the Cape Town foreshore, Hertzog Boulevard, outbound carriageway between Heerengracht and Oswald Pirow, will be closed from 16h00 on Saturday, until 11h30 to on Sunday. In Green Point, Eastern Boulevard, Beach Road to New Traffic Circle (city bound carriageway), will be closed from 14h30 on Saturday, until 18h30 on Sunday.

On Sunday, road closures will affect most suburbs,  particularly in Noordhoek, Camps Bay, Hout Bay, Bantry Bay and Clifton areas, as well as the southern suburbs and roads between False Bay and Cape Point. All motorists are advised to plan their routes very carefully, and to take into account that there will be large volumes of traffic in and around Cape Town throughout Sunday.

All roads should be open again by 18h30 on Sunday evening.

See the PDF attached for a full list of road closures this weekend.

Cape_Argus_Road_Closures.pdf

Lance Armstrong has arrived in Cape Town. Photo courtesy Eugene Wie

Legendary cyclist Lance Armstrong arrived in Cape Town yesterday evening, despite a slight delay caused by passport problems.

Armstrong announced on his Twitter blog just before 21h00 last night: “Well, made it to Cape Town but can’t get in the country since my passport is full and there’s no room to stamp it.”

He was, however, allowed through a short while later, and welcomed to South Africa by many of his Twitter followers. One fan wrote: “Welcome to my valley, Lance. Be glad you missed the heat today. Enjoy your stay man, this place is awesome!”

The South African government advises visitors, through its website, to keep two blank pages in their passports. This law applies in various countries around the world.

Armstrong will take part in Sunday’s Cape Argus Pick n Pay Cycle Tour. The 39-year-old cancer survivor, who has won the Tour de France seven times in a row, will be a huge crowd-puller for the well-subscribed 109km race.

If you are in need of accommodation or entertainment ideas during the cycle tour, be sure to check out Cape Town Tourism’s special offers.

There is plenty rugby action still to come at Newlands this season. Photo courtesy Dplanet

Cape Town rugby fans had much to smile about this weekend, as the Stormers thrashed the Highlanders 33-0 at Newlands on Saturday.

On a scorching afternoon, the Stormers burned several holes in their opponents’ defence, ending the match with a bonus point after an opportunist try by world-class wing Bryan Habana.

The Stormers now sit third on the Super 14 log and will have a chance to continue their winning ways on Saturday, when they take on the fourth-paced Hurricanes, again, at Newlands.

Although the Stormers weren’t flawless in their demolition of the Highlanders, they showed many promising signs, and are starting to show some cohesion between forwards and backs. Captain Schalk Burger lead from the front, and even crossed the line for a try of his own.

One area where the Stormers are missing some very obvious tricks is out wide, with speedsters such as Habana and Sireli Naqelevuki needing to get their hands on the ball more often. Replacement Gio Aplon, one of the smallest players in the Super 14 at 72kg, showed some great pace and prospect when he came on in the latter stages of the match. He could indeed be one to watch in coming weeks.

Another exciting player of diminutive build is fullback Joe Pietersen, who bears a striking resemblance to one of his predecessors, Percy Montgomery. Pietersen has been in great form during the last two seasons, both off the kicking tee and in general play.

Newlands offers far more than just rugby, with great entertainment on offer before and after kick-off. Saturday’s game against the Hurricanes, from Wellington in New Zealand, kicks off at 19h10. Tickets are available through Computicket.

Visitors to Cape Town can find accommodation through our visitors’ section.

Cycling legend Lance Armstrong will be taking part in next weekend’s Cape Argus Pick n Pay Cycle Tour. Photo courtesy Eugene Wei

Lance Armstrong, voted by Procycling magazine as the most influential person in cycling, will be the biggest name at next weekend’s Cape Argus Pick n Pay Cycle Tour.

Armstrong, 39, who famously overcame cancer to win the Tour de France seven times in a row, will join more than 30 000 other cyclists for the big event, which starts at the Civic Centre on Sunday, March 14.

Armstrong is one of the world’s most accomplished athletes, having picked up numerous awards and accolades. The father of four has also dated the likes of US singer Sheryl Crowe and actress Kate Hudson in recent years.

In 1996, he was diagnosed with testicular cancer, which spread to his lungs, abdomen and brain. Having overcome numerous challenges as a result of his illness, Armstrong devotes much of his time to creating awareness about cancer.

Armstrong announced his participation in the Cape Argus Pick n Pay Cycle Tour on social networking site Twitter last month. He wrote: “Hey South Africa! Excited to come down in March. Bringing your man @darylimpey with me. And yes, we’re racing The Argus [sic]. Hear gr8 things.”

South African Daryl Impey, 25, is Armstrong’s teammate at Team RadioShack.

According to the Cape Argus Pick n Pay Cycle Tour website, David Bellairs, the co-director of Cape Town Cycle Tour Trust, which is organising the event, says: “Last year it was Matt Damon and this year it’s Lance. With such high-profile individuals taking part, there can be no doubt about [the] Cycle Tour’s iconic status. It makes us extremely proud to be working on this event.”

The Cape Argus Pick n Pay Cycle Tour route will follow the M3 to Lakeside and then be diverted to Boyes Drive, rejoining the main road from Kalk Bay to Simon’s Town, continuing on to Ocean View and up Chapman’s Peak, and finishing at Green Point, allowing for plenty of after-party opportunities.

If you are in need of accommodation or entertainment ideas, be sure to check out Cape Town Tourism’s special offers.

Cape Town markets are well known for their fresh produce. Photo courtesy mallix

Why not turn weekend drudgery into an al fresco breakfast and family outing, surrounded by the beauty of the Cape outdoors?

Take a break from schlepping around the crowded shopping centres in favour of a visit to some of the Western Cape’s popular outdoor produce markets.

The Porter Estate produce market in Constantia Valley offers visitors a farm-style breakfast and special activities tailor-made for kids.

If you’re keen on fresh, healthy, organically grown produce of outstanding quality, you’ll find it at the Willowbridge slow market in Tyger Valley.

In the Durbanville Hills region of Cape Town, the Degustazione farmers’ market is the ideal place to catch up with friends, while shopping for gourmet eats.

Take along your wicker basket to load up on Cape Town fresh farm produce.

Although Table Mountain provides the best views of Cape Town, Signal Hill comes a close second.

With a near-360° view of the city, this little picnic spot is ideal for enjoying the breathtaking sunsets the city is known for – and which are never alike.

Pack some snacks, drinks and a blanket, and join the masses of Capetonians and tourists who take advantage of this free-for-all gem.

Green inspiration. Photo courtesy Bronwen d’Oliveira

I visited the Design Indaba on Friday March 26 and found that the attractions that bring visitors to our city also inspire those in the creative industry. 

2010 FIFA World Cup™ inspires soccer fever
The buzz and excitement about this event, starting in just 101 days, could be felt in many of the designs on show. My favourite was the vuvuzela and soccer ball light displayed at the Cape Craft and Design Institute stand. This stand displayed work by emerging and well-know creatives supported by the institute.

I also really liked the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ official art posters. There is a great selection of posters by established and emerging artists from around the world. They include posters by South African artists William Kentridge, Robert Slingsby, Kay Hassan, Cameron Platter and Marlene Dumas.

Environmental sustainability impels responsible design
Responsible tourism is on the rise in Cape Town and many people travelling here want to reduce their carbon footprint. There were many examples of items being recycled at the indaba. I really liked Heath Nash’s beautiful lights made from plastic bottles.

Table Mountain at the heart of Design Indaba
Our iconic mountain has attracted more than 19-million visitors to travel the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway and it has clearly inspired many stands at the expo. I loved the cardboard mountain created by the Cape Peninsula University of Technology.

Indigenous fynbos makes for fine design
From flower arrangements to fabric, and handbags to light fittings, the indigenous fynbos flowers appeared in so many designs. Even the bright green of many fynbos plants inspired many stands.

The Mother City clearly provides a wealth of inspiration for the creative arts industry.

Cape Town will be the first stopover at the 2011-2012 Volvo Ocean Race. Photo courtesy Warren Rohner

Cape Town will be the only African stopover during the 2011-2012 Volvo Ocean Race, and in fact, the first port of call during the event.

Although 83 other cities bid for this honour, Cape Town was given the nod because of its professional approach to international events, according to Volvo Ocean Race Commercial Director Greg Maill.

Itumeleng Pooe, the executive manager of destination marketing for Cape Town Routes Unlimited, said the race would create much publicity for the Western Cape.

“With a total economic impact of R308.15-million on Cape Town, and the Western Cape and tourism destination media exposure worth R77.45-million, the city and province can only be proud and honoured to be have been awarded the stopover status,” she said.

“We regard it as a powerful endorsement of our destination’s events infrastructure and organisational capabilities, scenic appeal and hospitality.”

According to the Volvo Ocean Race website, the event is “is an exceptional test of sailing prowess and human endeavour, which has been built on the spirit of great seafarers – fearless men who sailed the world’s oceans aboard square-rigged clipper ships more than a century ago”.

The first event of this kind took place in 1973, but Volvo has sponsored the event since 2001.

The race starts in Alicante, Spain, sometime during 2011. Specific dates will be announced during March this year.

Action from the 2007 Cape Epic. Photo courtesy Cris Bloomfield

Swiss brothers Lukas and Mathias Flűckiger, who won the last stage of the 2009 Cape Epic, have confirmed that they will return to Cape Town for this year’s event, which takes place from March 21 to 28.

The siblings finished eighth overall last year, and hope for an even better result in 2010.

Lukas told the Cape Epic website that day one would be the biggest challenge. “We come directly from winter and must get accustomed to the hot weather.”

He adds that they learned much from last year and hoped this would help them avoid technical problems this time round.

Mathias, 21, is still a student, but trains with his 26-year-old brother every weekend.

The youngster advises other participants to simply have fun and enjoy the scenery along the route. “Take it one stage at a time; don’t think of the race as a whole distance, and be sure to eat and drink enough. Most importantly, have fun,” he says.

The brothers also hope for glory at the World Championships in Mont Saint Anne later this year. Lukas competes in the elite category, while Mathias is in the under-23 section.

For those who aren’t riding the Cape Epic, but would still like to have a pedal, you can register for the one-day mountain bike race, the MTN Cape Times Vigne a Vigne. Visit www.vigne-a-vigne.com to register.

You can follow this year’s Cape Epic action on www.cape-epic.com.

A photo from the 2008 Design Indaba. Photo courtesy Sebastian Denef

Cape Town will use this year’s Design Indaba, which starts on Wednesday, to launch a bid to become the World Design Capital in 2014.

Cape Town Tourism marketing manager, Lianne Burton, is currently attending the World Design City Summit in Seoul, along with Bulelwa Ngewana and Cape Town councillor, Felicity Purchase. The trio, representing the Mother City at the event, is sizing up the competition.

You can view a slideshow of Cape Town’s presentation here.

Writing on his website, Cape Town Partnership chief executive, Andrew Boraine, revealed that Cape Town needs to put together a bid book by February 2011.

“We’ll no doubt be up against some of the top design cities in the world, and it won’t be easy. Already, the City of Bilbao has indicated that they may put in a bid. The last three winners – Turin, Seoul and Helsinki – are all cities with a heavy industrial design base and strong design tradition. If Cape Town is going to be a contender, we will have to change the rules of the game.”

Boraine stresses the importance of looking at ways to promote Cape Town after the 2010 FIFA World Cup™.
In his blog, he quotes Mokena Makeka, a leading Cape Town architect: “We need to think bigger than we ever have before, and not show Cape Town as it is, but as it could be! The pursuit of excellence can be bruising, but that is design … We can win if we abandon the safety of mediocrity.”

Visit the Creative Cape Town website for more information about the 2014 bid.

You can also view the YouTube video of Cape Town’s appeal for support.