Statement regarding alternative routes for 2015 Cape Town Cycle Tour

There is also rain forecast for this week. Lets all do the rain dance

rain is not good for Chappies though. I can with certain say that if it rains, we won't go over Chappies.

rain will help put the fires out and it will test the stability of Chappies.

They can change course, we can cycle along N1 to Durbanville, turn left to Vissershoek, then left at Tableview and finish at top of Kloof Neck or Signal Hill... Oops! Exciting!

it's raining Wednesday morning.... but I sincerely hope the fire have been put out by then....

it's raining Wednesday morning.... but I sincerely hope the fire have been put out by then.

http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/Cape-Town-fire-possibly-to-last-a-week-20150302

Just got back from a cape point loop with my buddy... all I can say is our mouths are dry with a wierd lingering dryness and aftertaste, lungs feel dry and there is smoke everywhere.

Our beautiful mountains are burning but hopefully the rain doesn't wash the soil away, would like to ride the planned route.

I just heard on the radio, "motorists are asked to avoid Chapman's Peak, Ou Kaapse Weg and Boyes Drive..."

Hell! Only one road in and out of the South then, and that one under construction.

That's massive fire - thanks to all the fire departments and volunteers doing amazing work.

If only we can find the perpetrator of this fire....

Could be pretty grim riding between recently burnt fields.

For the sake of those riding this weekend I sincerely hope the wind doesn't blow. That would make it very unpleasant. I'm holding thumbs for everyone.

Awful that this happens at any time but I really feel for the people that have prepared and planned and are all excited for the weekend. The CTCT is organized by top people and if anyone can pull a success out of a potential disaster it is them. Last Argus I did was that very very windy one and that was well handled.

Best wishes to all involved.

I'll put up a weather forecast closer to the weekend, however it seems that the weather is looking favorable for sunday.

Would love to know what the alternate route is, however I hope that we can still do Chappies (original route). 

Let's continue to support @CityofCT #CapeTownFire #CapeFire #CycleTour2015

So is the race going to be on the original route?

So is the race going to be on the original route?

No decision yet. Fire needs to be put out first.

Can anybody tell me what is the Total ascent of climbing on the Chappies Route ?

Can anybody tell me what is the Total ascent of climbing on the Chappies Route ?

I have it as 1115m from last years route

What is the latest news on the Fire? Is it under control yet? Is the wind more fire friendly today?

What is the latest news on the Fire? Is it under control yet? NOPE

Is the wind more fire friendly today?NOPE.

Burning all over now.

 

I'm not doing the Argus....  

at this point in time that concern is not that section of Chapmans Peak as the fire is not burning where the catch fencing is. IF they can get the Noordhaven fire under control then the south slope of Chappies is safe.

The big concerns is the clean up operations and has the tarmac been damaged as these are harder to repair in a few days.

 

At this stage I fee there is a good chance we will ride on the original planned route

Lefty what is your feeling today - outlook seems pretty bleak?

There were quite a lot of road and civil works that needed to be cleaned up this week along the route. I'm referring to Kalk Bay, Chappies and Suikerbossie. Even if the fires abate, and the route is declared safe, I wonder if the engineering teams will have enough time to get in and finish what was likely a crunch week for them? Especially with all the road closures and emergency vehicles around.   

Fire outlook better today. Wind dropped to almost zero during the night but temperature extremely high today. It is still burning on a wide front but with little wind, it is MUCH easier to control. Control to reduce damage to property is all that can be done. The scale is such that it cannot just be put out. It will just burn up the fuel and stop. This should happen before the week end. 

As far as the Argus is concerned: The outlook is much more positive compared to Monday. Final decision to be marde tomorrow. I think/hope it will run along the normal route.

Biggest issue is going to be how to allow emergency vehicles access to Chappies if needed. So, if Chappies is safe, all should be well.

(My 2c worth of guesswork.)

There were quite a lot of road and civil works that needed to be cleaned up this week along the route. I'm referring to Kalk Bay, Chappies and Suikerbossie. Even if the fires abate, and the route is declared safe, I wonder if the engineering teams will have enough time to get in and finish what was likely a crunch week for them? Especially with all the road closures and emergency vehicles around.   

Muizenberg is a stuff up. Its far too dangerous to send huge groups at high speed through the narrow bits that zip left and right.

Chappies will be fine. They will just move the barriers back like last year.

Suikerbossie is almost complete. They are sweeping and painting lines etc.

going to be hard to make a final decision tomorrow.

must put REAL pressure on the team, hopefully they can still get everything sorted as it's already a busy week.

Guys, I reckon we need to prepare ourselves for Ou Kaapse Weg and the M3 back.

They might throw in Boyes Drive as well!

As I am typing the engineers are out there assessing whether Chappies is rideable or not! The call will be made today still, but from what I heard it will be Ou Kaapseweg...sorry