The Cape Town Cycle Tour began in 1978, emerging from a protest ride advocating for safer cycling paths in Cape Town. Originally called "The Big Ride In," it was organized by Bill Mylrea and John Stegmann to highlight the need for cycling infrastructure. Despite early government resistance, the ride evolved into a mass-participation event with over 500 cyclists at its inaugural start.
The route has seen several adjustments, initially planned to pass through Cape Point Nature Reserve before shifting to the iconic course we know today. The event also broke barriers by being non-segregated during apartheid, allowing cyclists of all races to participate.
Celebrated for its inclusivity, the Cape Town Cycle Tour was the first event to allow amateur and professional cyclists to compete on the same course. Today, it is the largest timed cycling event in the world, drawing around 30,000 riders annually, and continues to promote a healthy lifestyle, community upliftment, and cycling development. In 2025, the Cape Town Cycle Tour will celebrate its 47th edition, remaining a key fixture in the global cycling calendar.
The success of the Cape Town Cycle Tour allows the Cape Town Cycle Tour Trust to fund its two beneficiaries, the Pedal Power Association and the Rotary Club of Claremont. These organisations use the surplus proceeds to support social upliftment projects, promote cycling development, and implement safe cycling initiatives. To date, over R130 million has been distributed to charities through the Cape Town Cycle Tour, making a lasting positive impact on communities and the cycling landscape in South Africa.
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Taking riders on a 109km route around the Cape Peninsula, the Cape Town Cycle Tour is South Africa’s must-do cycling event.
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