The Cape Argus Pick ‘n Pay Cycle Tour route on Google Earth

It’s the final countdown until the start of this year’s cycle race in Cape Town.  Over 35,000 cyclists from around the world participate and this year is no different.  If you haven’t competed before – then you’ll be looking for a route map – there’s one on the official web site – it’s a 1MB pdf file (but not very detailed).
Go here if you need the route profile.
But that’s not what I was after… in this day and age, I wanted an overlay of the route onto Google Earth – I couldn’t find this so I decided to create my own.  I also wanted a route to load into my Garmin GPS.
I created the route using Garmin’s MapSource program (version 6.13) I then used its “View->View in Google Earth” feature to transfer it to Google Earth. 
Then, in Google Earth, I saved the route using “Save to my places” and then “Save place as” functions.

See the route below (in pink):
  

The route in words:
The start is in the city centre, outside the Civic Centre.  Travel along the M3 to Lakeside where you will be diverted on to Boyes Drive. Rejoin Main Road at Kalk Bay after a steep descent from Boyes Drive.  Take the coastal road to Simonstown and then go past the entrance to the Cape Point Nature Reserve. Continue to Scarborough and on to Oceanview, missing the Kommetjie Hill.  Then Chapman’s Peak and up Suikerbossie and along the coast to Greenpoint.

So, here are the files:
Google Earth .kmz file of the Cape Argus Pick ‘n Pay Cycle Tour
and the Garmin GPS database file of the Cape Argus Pick ‘n Pay Cycle Tour 
and while I was at it… I created a .kmz for The Bay Cycle Tour (usually ridden 2 weeks before The Argus)

If you don’t have Google Earth, then download it here [10MB]:  download

Using the .kmz files:
Once Google Earth is installed;
Download the .kmz files and then double click on the .kmz file – Google Earth will then open an you will see an overlay (pink line) of the route of the cycle race.
Repeat for the other .kmz file

If you’re not a cyclist then you can download the race day road closures here.


       

Update on 09 Mar 2010:
After posting this info on TheHubSA.com, BBJSportGuy mentioned that there’s a site that’s been doing this for ages now!  MapMyRide – lists routes for all sorts of rides all over the world!

Here's the link for The Argus: http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/south-africa/cape-town/673535464 

OR click here to see an interactive route map of The Argus: