Cape Argus Lifecycle Expo 2013 attracts the cycling masses

Cycling was at the forefront of everyone’s mind this week as the Cape Argus Lifecycle week and expo built up to the annual cycling event on Sunday 10 March. 

The Cape Argus Pick ‘n Pay cycle tour (or the ‘Argus’) saw 35 000 cyclists and many more supporters take to the streets of Cape Town. 

The Lifecycle expo attracted over 80 000 visitors to the Good Hope Centre this year

As cyclists flocked to the expo to register and collect their race packs, families, friends and cyclists alike absorbed the atmosphere of excitement as the annual event drew near.   

What started as an idea from Eddy Cassar when he watched cycle apparel company Rapid Sports selling its wares from a trestle table alongside Camps Bay soccer fields in 1991, has grown to be one of the largest shows of its kind in the country. 

The Lifecycle Expo, which has been running for over 20 years, has more than 320 exhibitors from around the world, as well as an average of 78 000 visitors annually. This year the Lifecycle expo (7-9 March) saw over 80 000 visitors entering the Good Hope Centre in Sir Lowry Road, Cape Town.

Exhibitors had plenty opportunity to sell to cycle crazed visitors. Suppliers to the cycling retail trade as well as retailers had opportunity to market show specials, new products and ventures to cycling fans.    

Cape Union Mart

Sportsmans Warehouse

Chris Willemse Cycles 

Coimbra Cycles

Olympic Cycles

Retailers such as Olympic Cycles, Coimbra Cycles/Cycle House George, Chris Willemse Cycles, Sportsmans Warehouse and Cape Union Mart, amongst others, were popular stops for cycling fans.

Suppliers such as Breakthru Sports, Ocean Eyewear, Cape Cycle Systems (suppliers of Camelbak and Evo bikes), Medac (suppliers of Rocket Sports), GU Energy gels, Omnico (suppliers of GoPro and Cannondale), Polar heart rate monitors, Adventure Inc (suppliers of Buff headgear and Osprey backpacks), Felt bicycles and adidas, amongst others, interacted with the cycling masses.  

GU energy gels

Ocean Eyewear, distributed by Dragons Sport

Camelbak, distributed by Cape Cycle Systems

Osprey backpacks and Buff headwear, distributed by Adventure Inc

GoPro, distributed by Omnico 

Rockets compression gear, distributed by Medac

Polar heart rate monitors

EVO Bikes, distributed by Cape Cycle Systems

Felt bicycles, distributed by Worldview Sport

adidas SA showcased their cycling range

The Lifecycle Expo is also an opportunity for fund raising and non-profit organisations, such as the WWF Panda initiative (see below), to connect with cyclists. 

The WWF Panda Peloton stand

Published by www.sportstrader.co.za