If you’ve ever ridden around Durbanville, you already know the hills have a personality of their own. They roll gently one moment and then ask a proper question the next. The Power 99er Cycle Tour, now in its 28th year and the second-largest cycling event in the Western Cape, takes you right through those wine valleys and farmlands. Nearly 5,000 riders turn up each February, and the routes are deliberately built so every level of cyclist can enjoy the scenery without being overwhelmed by it.
The event is organised by El Shaddai Christian School in Durbanville and doubles as the school’s main fundraising drive. On race day more than 350 volunteers (parents, staff, pupils, alumni and past parents) keep everything running. It is a proper community day on two wheels.
What the hills actually look like on race day
The four routes all start and finish at the Durbanville Sports Complex. Early bird entries are already open for the 13 February 2027 edition.
Here’s a quick sense of the climbing:
- 45 km road – around 413 m of ascent. Gentle climbs and farm roads. Ideal if you want the atmosphere without the big efforts.
- 76 km road – roughly 744 m of ascent. Rolling hills on Philadelphia Road, then a final climb towards Opikopi past Diemersdal Wine Estate.
- 95 km road – about 795 m of ascent. Punchy climbs mixed with long scenic stretches through wine country. Same Philadelphia Road rollers and the Opikopi finish climb.
- 80 km Trilogy Challenge – gravel, tar and single track. Includes the famous Grand Prix Hill early on, then farm roads, Occultdale’s rough surface, 14 A-frame crossings on the Klipheuwel single track, and the washboard of Spes Bona Road.
None of these are Alpine monsters, but the repeated short rises on Philadelphia Road and the final climb after the vineyards catch a lot of riders who only train on flat roads. The 95 km and 80 km distances also serve as official seeding events for the Cape Town Cycle Tour, so a solid ride here can improve your start group later in the year.
How to prepare without overcomplicating it
You don’t need a six-month periodisation plan. You do need consistent time in the hills and a few practical habits.
Build the right kind of climbing fitness
- Ride local rollers at least once a week. The northern suburbs have plenty of short climbs that mimic Philadelphia Road.
- Include one longer ride every 10–14 days that covers 70–90 % of your target distance. For the 95 km, that means getting comfortable at 80–85 km with some climbing.
- Practise standing and sitting on climbs. The punchy rises reward riders who can change position without wasting energy.
- If you’re doing the Trilogy, spend time on gravel or rough tar. Tyre pressure and handling matter more than pure power.
Pacing that saves your legs
The early kilometres feel easy because the start is controlled and the first hills aren’t brutal. The danger is going too hard on the first few rollers and paying for it after the 50 km mark. A simple approach works well:
- Keep the first third conversational.
- Sit in on the longer false flats.
- Attack only the climbs you know you’ll recover from.
- Save something for the final climb towards Opikopi if you’re on a road route.
Gear and setup that actually helps
- Tyres: 28–32 mm on road routes, wider and slightly lower pressure for the Trilogy.
- Gearing: A compact or mid-compact chainset makes the repeated short climbs far more pleasant.
- Spares: Two tubes or a tubeless kit, multi-tool, and a small pump. Mechanical issues are common when thousands of riders are out together.
- Nutrition: Plan for roughly one bottle per hour and real food (gels, bars or bananas) every 40–50 minutes. There are well-spaced hydration points on every route, but don’t rely on them alone.
Race-week checklist
- Collect your number and timing chip on the Thursday at Kenilworth Racecourse or Friday at Durbanville Sports Ground. No collection on race morning.
- Check start times: 95 km at 06h00, 76 km and Trilogy at 07h20, 45 km at 08h15 (times can shift slightly; your seeding email confirms yours).
- Know the cut-off points so you can make an informed decision if the day turns against you.
- Pack for Cape Town weather. February mornings can be cool and windy; afternoons warm up fast.
On the day itself
Stay left, follow the marshals, and treat the volunteers the way you’d want to be treated. The rolling hills look pretty, but the real highlight for most people is the finish area at the sports complex, the ice-cold Coca-Cola, and the knowledge that their entry helped the school.
Whether you’re aiming for a seeding time on the 95 km, a solid gravel adventure on the Trilogy, or simply a scenic morning on the 45 km, the preparation is the same: get out on the local hills, practise your pacing, and arrive ready to enjoy the ride rather than just survive it.
Entries are open now. Choose your distance, book early, and give those Durbanville rollers the respect they deserve. See you on the start line.
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