Sunday, 11th March 2007 at 7:47 pm

35 000 lycra-clad madmen

Another year on, and it’s only getting bigger. Jan Ullrich, Greg LeMond and Robbie Hunter may have hogged the headlines building up to Sunday’s Cape Argus Pick ‘n Pay Cycle Tour, but it’s the 34 997 other riders who’re the real stars of one of cycling’s more dazzling days out. Charging round 109 unforgiving kilometres, including brutal ascents of Champman’s Peak and Suikerbossie, makes for a draining day in the saddle - and knowing that the lead riders get in well before nine o’clock, while the last of the field only depart after 10:30, is a rather dispiriting fact…

But balancing that up is a crowd of supporters who drag themselves out of bed at an ungodly hour to cheer on 35 000 complete strangers in one long, technicolour peleton. And watching them come in is a triumph for every individual rider, several hours of cycling torture making the finish an unforgettable moment. Feverpitcher might not be riding the Cape Argus Pick ‘n Pay Cycle Tour - 109 kilometres is a little excessive - but will be at the finish line watching one of South Africa’s most unique days of mass sporting endeavour come to a grand conclusion. 35 000 lycra-clad madmen can be extremely proud come the end of Sunday.