11 memorable Instagram snaps from the 2016 Cape Town Cycle Tour

It’s the world’s largest timed mass participation event, and one of the prettiest cycle races on the planet. That’s right. This weekend saw South Africa’s Mother City play host to the 39th edition of the Cape Town Cycle Tour, and Instagrammers took to their phones to celebrate.

While its not easy to admire the beauty of a 109km race, that didn’t stop cyclists or bystanders from trying their best. Although many finished well after the professional group, the majority of the 35 000 participants probably all have a story to tell. So why not let snaps from Instagram do the talking?

Have a look at some remarkable Instagram snaps from the race that just happen to tell their own story.

The race starts well before dawn. (Image: Ruan Bekker)

Waiting at the starting gate of the Cape Town cycle tour. #capetowncycletour2016 #capetown #captowncycletour #argus #capeargus #cycling #cycle

A photo posted by Ruhan Bekker (@ruhanbekker) on Mar 5, 2016 at 7:45pm PST

But eventually, you’re off with a sunrise to guide you on. (Image: Carl Pasio)

What a sunrise in the peloton this morning at Cape Town Cycle Tour. Was so good to be back in a racing peloton. No speed in the legs but lots of fun and hurt😃

A photo posted by Carl Pasio (@carlpasio) on Mar 6, 2016 at 12:45am PST

The professionals might not seem too fazed by it all. (Image: Bridget Ellwood)

The first batch of elites from the argus coming through fish hoek #argus #capetowncycletour #fishhoek #elites

A photo posted by Bridget Ellwood (@bridgy_ellwood) on Mar 6, 2016 at 6:51am PST

But not everyone will feel that way. (Image: Meekaaeel T)

The struggle🙄#109km#capetowncycletour

A photo posted by Meekaaeel T (@m_i_c_k_y_2016) on Mar 6, 2016 at 10:14am PST

Not to mention more ‘good news’ soon after that. (Image: Slick Nick)

Sorry guys totally forgot about suikerbossie hill!😉😉 good luck! Free beer here! #capetown #houtbay #home #capetowncycletour #capetowncycletour2016 #beer #vibe #kaapstadtmag #kapstadtmag #igers_sa #instagramcapetown #ct_igerbook #igers #igdaily #iger_ct #ig_daily #igers_sa #instagramcapetown #goodtimes #amazingcapetown #capetownmag #capetownetc #capetownlife #capetownfitlife #iphone6 #iphoneography

A photo posted by Nick (@slicknicksa) on Mar 6, 2016 at 4:13am PST

But if you keep peddling, you’ll finally reach Chapman’s Peak. (Image: Gary Perkin)

Riding #roadslikethese while raising millions of Rands for charity marks the @ctcycletour as a very special event on my shooting calendar. So many amazing people work all year away from the spotlight to put together this celebration of what the humble bicycle can do. Yes the bike can take you 109km around the Cape Peninsula … But that’s the least of its impact – it does so much more than that. It doesn’t hurt that the team led by @davidbellairs @miss_cycle_tour and co squeezed me into a Bell 407 this year to try tell the story from the aerial perspective. Thanks folks today was an amazing day! 🍻💯🎉👍 PS To all my mates that waved at #RomeoLimaSierra – don’t think I was ignoring you – it’s just hard trying to play it cool up there 😎 #CycleTour2016 #CapeTownCycleTour

A photo posted by Gary Perkin (@garyperkin) on Mar 6, 2016 at 8:24am PST

Until your back’s to the wall… again. (Image: Cile70)

#capetowncycletour #capetown #southafrica

A photo posted by Dragan Cile 🐙Cikota (@cile70) on Mar 6, 2016 at 8:58am PST

But keep pushing, even if you’re down a wheel. (Image: Mr Sakitumi)

While the hares 🐰 are at play… the tortoise 🐢 grows stronger each day. To cycle the scenic and testing 109km around my home city for the Cape Town Cycle Tour is one thing 🚴, but to do it on a unicycle is a whole nother level. A challenge within a challenge accepted! #capeargus2016 #capearguscycletour #capetowncycletour #unicycle #boss #capetown

A photo posted by Mr Sakitumi (@mrsakitumi) on Mar 6, 2016 at 1:42am PST

Because rich rewards await at the finish line. (Image: Mike van Der Merwe)

Argus done , time for the recovery beers 🍻 _________________________________________________ #capetowncycletour #cycle #bike #beer #castlelite #castle #sport #houtbay #capetown #capetownmag #capetownetc #support #crowd #recovery #electrolytes #igers #instabeer #race #fitness #outdoors #liveit #picoftheday #iphone #instagood #instalike

A photo posted by Mike van Der Merwe (@the_mikeza) on Mar 6, 2016 at 8:08am PST

You’ve done it! (Image: wheretheroadbegins)

Round and round we go 🚴🏽 📸 @olliescotton

A photo posted by Aaron (@wheretheroadbegins) on Mar 6, 2016 at 9:57am PST

And now, to celebrate your victory. (Image: Taute91)

A well deserved glass of wine after the Cape Town Cycle Tour!! #capetowncycletour #capetowncycletour2016 #proud #wine #relax #yzerfontein

A photo posted by Juaan (@taute91) on Mar 6, 2016 at 5:08am PST

If you have any images you snapped on Instagram during the Cape Town Cycle Tour and would like to be featured on this list, drop us a line in the comments section below.

Featured image: South African Tourism via Flickr