Cape Rouleur 2014

Sunday 2 March:

Sign On for the Cape Rouleur, Franschhoek

Rider briefing followed by 7.6km seeding prologue

Monday 3 March:

Stage 1 of the Cape Rouleur (128km, 527m ascent, max gradient 2%): Stay in Franschhoek. This stage sees riders leaving Franschhoek in a north-westerly direction past numerous wineries before turning northwards onto rolling roads. Turning right skirting the Perdeberg National Reserve and the Perdeberg mountains to arrive at the day's lunch stop at Ridgeback Winery at 82km (www.ridgebackhouse.co.za). After lunch, rolling southwards before turning left to pass the Fairview winery - famous also for goats as well as cheese. Then negotiating southern Paarl to turn for home but not before stopping at the Drakenstein Prison where Nelson Mandela was released on 12 February 1990. The final push into a hopefully not too strong prevailing south-easter brings the riders back to Frankschhoek to end Day 1.

Tuesday 4 March:

Stage 2 (146km, 1,939m ascent, max gradient 8%): Stay in Franschhoek. This is the toughest day of climbing, heading east over Franschhoek pass, then south to Theewaterskloof dam. The route then heads south over Viljoen's pass to Elgin stopping for lunch at 66km at the Houw Hoek Farm Stall before climbing the Houw Hoek pass returning via Villersdorp, the Theewaterskloof dam and back over the Franschhoek pass home.

Wednesday 5 March:

Stage 3 (208km, 2,006m ascent, max gradient 8%): Stay in Franschhoek. This is the longest day and will require an early start before sunrise, so lights will be obligatory. Leaving Franschhoek in one peloton riders will climb Helshoogte ("Hellish Hill") and descend into the university town of Stellenbosch before turning southwards. A quick stop at the Mooiberge Farm Stall, famous for strawberries and scarecrows, for a coffee and muffin, and the riders will be re-started in their groups to continue to Somerset West and onwards to Gordon's Bay. From there we take one of the most scenic coastal roads in the world, passing Rooi Els, Pringle Bay and Betty's Bay and its resident penguins. It is almost certain that riders will see a troop of baboons somewhere en-route. The ride then turns inland at Kleinmond stopping for lunch at 132km at the Salandra Farm Stall before climbing back over the Houw Hoek Pass from the other direction to return again via Theewaterskloof dam and the final climb back over the Franschhoek pass home.

The day is followed by prizes and a celebration dinner with dignitaries and press at the Grand Finale Dinner & Presentation in Franschhoek.

Thursday 6 March:

A slightly more relaxed ride, albeit still 112km long (414m ascent, max gradient 3%) , in groups from Franschhoek. The lunch stop is at Nitida Wine Farm at 66km (www.nitida.co.za). Escorted from there into central Cape Town as one "Festive" peloton of 200 riders by the Cape Town motor cycle police, followed by a celebratory drinks reception on the Waterfront.

Friday 7 March:
Rest Day

Saturday 8 March (Optional):
Unescorted Twitter ride with Stephen Roche.

Sunday 9 March (Optional):
The Cape Argus Pick n Pay Cycle Tour seeded entry, followed by VIP finish line hospitality.