Cycling in the City with AWOL Tours

All the sights of Cape Town and some you may have missed

As I tread my excited first steps out of Cape Town International Airport I'm keen to start exploring. Full of burning questions about the Green Point Stadium and Cape Town's four laureates I stroll into the V&A Waterfront. Spying the intriguing bicycle rack across from the Ferryman's pub I meet friendly AWOL guide Leonard who tells me that city bicycle tours with AWOL are free with rental.

Funky, fun and easy bikes

I may look like a pale Brit as Leonard stifles a laugh when I put my helmet on backwards and I nearly wipe out an Italian tourist whilst adjusting to back pedal breaks but I feel like a lady cycling through the streets of Paris with graceful handlebars and big wheels. I'm soon charging through the Waterfront dispersing pedestrian traffic with my onboard tinkly bell.

We stop at many tourist attractions including Nobel Square, the Clock Tower and Chavonnes Battery whilst Leonard peppers our experience with insightful anecdotes. The advantage of pedalling the city sights with a guide is that you can explore the little art galleries and museums off the beaten path that you might otherwise have missed. Passing small shipyards full of characterful, rustic boats and fishermen hauling their nets I'm captivated by colourful reflections of the African sun reflected in the lapping water.

The vast ocean, the majestic mountain and the spectacular stadium

As we leave the Waterfront we hug the coastal, palm tree-lined promenade towards Mouille Point Lighthouse. As we ride past Capetonian professionals who've finished work early to hit the bars and enjoy the sunshine I'm quite surprised at my cycling expertise and I find myself showing off a little. I can see Table Mountain and a vast ocean as far reaching as the America's. The Great White sharks must be living the high life in the oceanic equivalent of a country mansion.

We pass the Mouille Point Lighthouse with its large red and white stripes bound for the Green Point Stadium. I imagine the Green Point Stadium and Fan Mile chock a block full of vuvuzelas last June. Although I'd sooner forget my native England's poor performance during the 2010 FIFA World Cup the stadium itself takes my breath away. A Hollywood Sylvester Stallone movie is being shot at the old Fort Wynard defence site and although we don't catch a glimpse of the man himself cycling past the set is glamorous and I fantasise about meeting the action star in my fetching, yellow helmet.

We continue past Somerset Hospital and back to the Waterfront to see docked cruise ship The Argulhas and popular dignitary haunt The Cape Grace Hotel. Our journey ends just past the Big Wheel at the Ferryman's where Leonard bids us adieu. Although a tad sweaty I've thoroughly enjoyed my mounted exploration of the city and settle down for a well-deserved beer with my fellow cyclists. What a great way to begin my adventures in Cape Town.

AWOL's city tour is free with full day bike rental at R200 and you can carry on exploring even after your hour long tour has ended. The maximum group size is ten but tours can be tailor made to suit your requirements and hotel transfers are available at an additional cost. You'll cycle through the harbour at the V&A Waterfront and the Green Point Urban Park combined with a tour of the Green Point Stadium.

By Kate Dickenson

Read more about AWOL's Peninsula Cycling Tour, Township Tour and their Table Mountain Hike. For further inspiration check out our 10 Top Day Tours.