Every February, thousands of Western Cape cyclists line up at the Cape Town Cycle Tour wondering whether this will finally be the year they start further forward. A better seeding index does more than shift your number. It puts you among riders of similar ability, reduces the early chaos, and gives you a cleaner run at the time you actually want. One of the most useful ways to move that number in the right direction is the Power 99er Cycle Tour.
Now in its 28th year, the 99er has grown into the second-largest cycling event in the Western Cape, drawing nearly 5,000 participants each February. Organised and hosted by El Shaddai Christian School in Durbanville, it is both a serious race and the school’s main fundraising event. On race day more than 350 volunteers, parents, staff, pupils, alumni and past parents, keep the whole thing running. The routes wind through the Durbanville wine valleys and surrounding farmlands, mixing challenge with scenery that still feels local rather than remote.
Why the 99er counts for Cape Town Cycle Tour seeding
Both the 95 km road race and the 80 km Trilogy Challenge are official seeding events for the Cape Town Cycle Tour. That means a strong, timed result on either distance feeds directly into the seeding index that decides your start group. The organisers make the practical side clear: you need a valid timing chip or board to receive an official time and seeding. Pre-entry is required. Late entries, if available at registration, do not guarantee seeding. E-bike riders are welcome on every distance but are not eligible for seeding or prizes.
The shorter 76 km and 45 km road routes remain excellent training rides and family-friendly options, yet only the 95 km and 80 km distances count toward the Cape Town Cycle Tour index.
What the seeding routes actually look like
The 95 km road route packs roughly 795 m of climbing. It mixes punchy climbs, sweeping rural stretches and a final push past Diemersdal Wine Estate before the finish on Koeberg Road and a short neutral zone back to the Durbanville Sports Complex. Start time is 06h00.
The 80 km Trilogy Challenge is the more varied option: tar, gravel, jeep track and technical single-track. Riders hit “Grand Prix Hill” early, drop onto the first gravel around 26 km, then face Occultdale Road’s rough surface, 14 A-frame crossings on the Klipheuwel single-track, and the washboard of Spes Bona Road. It starts at 07h20.
Both routes offer multiple hydration points and clear cut-off times so the event stays manageable. Full route details, elevation and maps live on the 99er website.
Practical steps to improve your seeding
- Enter early. Early-bird fees are lower and you lock in a place while seeding is still being calculated from previous results. Check the current fee table on the site for the exact windows.
- Ride the distance that suits your current form. The 95 km is pure road and rewards steady power and group riding. The Trilogy adds technical skill and will still produce a usable seeding result if you finish strong.
- Treat it as a race, not a social ride. Seeding looks at your time relative to the winner after the event’s difficulty is adjusted. Finishing further up the field (or holding a fast bunch) improves the index more than simply completing the distance.
- Collect your number and timing chip on the official days. Thursday at Kenilworth Racecourse or Friday at Durbanville Sports Ground. There is no number collection or late entry on race day itself.
- If you have a recent qualifying result (80 km+ road or 60 km+ MTB, not older than 18 months, verifiable and not Strava) that has not yet been considered, bring the proof to registration. Reseeding requests follow the rules listed on the site.
Remember that one good result can move you, but the system also applies age penalties to older performances. Riding the 99er in February keeps a fresh, relevant result in the mix ahead of the Cape Town Cycle Tour.
A community event that still feels personal
The 99er’s mission is to be the most inclusive cycling event in the region, offering a range of distances and a strong sense of community among riders of all backgrounds and abilities. Its vision is to be the best-organised event on the calendar, serving cyclists, sponsors and stakeholders with integrity and excellence. Because it is the primary fundraiser for El Shaddai Christian School, every entry supports bursaries and community projects as well as the race itself.
The atmosphere reflects that. Riders talk about the familiar Durbanville roads, the reliable volunteers, and the straightforward organisation. After the finish there is a lucky draw (two Titan Racing bikes in recent years) and prize money for the top places in the racing groups, but the real draw for most people is the combination of a proper challenge, scenic roads, and a result that counts for the bigger race later in the year.
Get your entry in and ride for a better number
Race day for the next Power 99er Cycle Tour is Saturday 13 February 2027, starting and finishing at the Durbanville Sports Complex. Entries are open now, with early-bird rates available for a limited time. Whether you are chasing a sharper seeding index for the Cape Town Cycle Tour, testing new form on the 95 km, or wanting the adventure of the Trilogy’s mixed surfaces, the 99er gives you a clear, well-run opportunity to do it.
Check the full route information, entry fees, registration times and rules on the official site, then lock in your place. A stronger start group at the Cape Town Cycle Tour starts with a smart, well-timed ride in Durbanville.
Follow the 99er on Facebook:
facebook.com/99erCycleTour
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