How to Fly Your Bike to the Cape Town Cycle Tour

Twenty-five days to go to the Cape Town Cycle Tour – formerly known as “The Argus” – which is the largest timed bike race in the world. Lots of riders will be coming to Cape Town from other cities and from overseas.

A limit of 35,000 entrants has been set for the 109-kilometre race around the Cape Peninsula, which is to take place on 6 March. For those cyclists coming from outside Cape Town by air, numerous airlines – including South African Airways, Kulula and British Airways – have notices on their websites specifically aimed at entrants to the Cape Town Cycle Tour.

A few points to keep in mind:

• The Cape Town Cycle Tour advises you to book your flight as early as possible to secure your spot.
• When booking a flight let the airline know that you will be bringing a bicycle along too.
• Most carriers prefer that you drop it off a few days in advance.
• All of the domestic carriers in South Africa advise that bikes must be securely packed and placed in a bike bag or box. These special boxes or bags are obtainable from most bike outlets.
• When reaching Cape Town and renting a car, remember that a small hatchback rental can fit one bike and some luggage but you’ll need to hire a larger vehicle for bigger groups of cyclists.

A few other tips that have been offered by a travel site:

• Don’t lock or seal your bike bag or box until until after security has checked and accepted it.
• The seat must be fully lowered.
• Turn the handlebars parallel to the frame.
• Leave the front wheel attached.
• Remove or turn the pedals inwards.
• Deflate your tyres (do not inflate with nitrogen).
• Your bike must be placed in a bike bag or box or wrapped in bubble wrap which can be sourced from BidAir Cargo.
• Bicycle inflation pumps filled with division 2.2 Carbon Dioxide non-flammable gas will be accepted for transportation as checked baggage only. The maximum amount is limited to four 16 gram cartridges per customer. Please declare this when checking in for your flight.
• Wheel bags cannot be carried as hand luggage and need to be checked into the hold. The standard checked baggage allowance will apply.
• Should an extra baggage fee apply you can either pay R290 online or R385 at the airport.
• Spare wheels need to be packed properly before check in, at check-in they’ll be tagged with a limited release tag.
• You’re allowed to carry speedometers and other electronic equipment in your hand luggage (as long as it doesn’t exceed the carry-on allowance).

The official substitution process for this year’s Cape Town Cycle Tour is open until 19 February. Cyclists who missed the original entry deadline in September last year, now have a chance to secure a spot in this year’s event by buying an entry from someone who no longer plans to participate.