With everything from camping facilities to five-star accommodation available, participants in The Herald VW Cycle Tour will be able to rest easy during their stay in Port Elizabeth.
The annual weekend festival of cycling, which includes the road events in Port Elizabeth and the mountain bike races at Addo, is set for February 1 to 3 this year.
Official accommodation sponsors Town Lodge PE, on the city’s beachfront, and Zuurberg Mountain Village, at Addo, are offering special rates for participants in both disciplines.
According to Town Lodge general manager Glenn Pappin, riders would be able to choose from options across the City Lodge Group of Hotels. These include the one-star Road Lodge, two-star Town Lodge, three-star City Lodge and four-star Courtyard Hotel.
“The road events begin and end on the beachfront very close to Town Lodge and our three other properties, so it’s excellent exposure for us.”
Pappin said he expected occupancy rates to surge over that weekend and that the hotel would further accommodate riders by offering secure bicycle storage and other assistance.
Event coordinator Linda Harwood said the newly built Boardwalk Hotel and Spa, which is dubbed the “home of cycling” for the weekend, would round out participants’ hotel options in five-star luxury.
On the other end of the scale, Harwood said there would be camping facilities for mountain bikers at the Addo Polo Club race village on the Friday evening.
“Instead of rushing to the start early on Saturday morning, bring your tent and family and enjoy an evening out in the country.”
In addition, she said, Rennies Travel would coordinate cycle tour-specific travel packages for out-of-town riders. These include special rates on accommodation, flights and car hire where possible.
“Depending on your budget and schedule, they’ll create an individual itinerary and take the hassle out of making all those travel arrangements.”
Harwood said the official accommodation sponsors would once again host VIP guests, race officials and pro teams.
“We will also make a few day rooms or ‘splash and dash’ facilities available at the Road Lodge where winners can freshen up before the prize-giving.”
The presentation ceremony will take place on the exhibition level at the new Boardwalk Convention Centre from 1pm.
Road race director Tony Cooney (left) and Town Lodge general manager Glenn Pappin take time out from their preparations for The Herald VW Cycle Tour, which takes place in Port Elizabeth from February 1 to 3. Photo: Coetzee Gouws/Fullstop
