With just under 3-weeks to go until the world’s largest individually timed cycle race, The Cape Argus Pick n Pay Cycle Tour, we have been upping our hours at the gym in an attempt to get as fit as possible for this mega 109km event around the Western Cape.

Image source – Cape Town Cycle Tour Trust

Preparing to climb Kilimanjaro was nothing compared to this, and the fact that we have to get around the mountainous 109km track in 7-hours or less, has us ‘Cape Argus Virgins’ shivering in our rather restrictive Lycra cycling shorts!

However, today we found out that we are not the only Cape Argus Virgins tackling the 2013 event, and that we will be riding around the Cape of Good Hope with the most famous ‘Virgin’ of them all – Sir Richard Branson!

Riding in the team colours of Virgin Active South Africa, Mr. Branson will be joining us (not personally!) and approximately 35,000 other cyclists who are going to attempt the route, and is said to be “tremendously excited” about competing in the event.

The Cape Argus Pick n Pay Cycle tour has attracted many celebrities over the years, with the likes of Oscar Winner Matt Damon tackling the race on tandem with his brother, and cycling pros such as Lance Armstrong and Jan Ulrich completing the circuit.

Heat waves and strong winds have led to the race being stopped more than once, but I am quietly confident that the weather will be kind on us this year, and that we and our fellow Cape Argus Virgin, Sir Richard, will make it across the finish line just in time to enjoy a refreshing glass of South African Sauvignon Blanc… Fingers crossed anyway!

Registration for International cyclists closes on 22^nd February – so you have just 4-days left to secure your place on the Cape Argus Pick n Pay Cycle Tour 2013.