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Our man John loved his experience last year at the Mauritius Cycle Tour, and it's not hard to see why. From the moment he received that unexpected invitation, John was swept into an adventure that perfectly captured the beauty, excitement, and spirit of Mauritius. The 29th Edition of The Mauritius Cycle Tour was more than just a race; it was a journey through one of the most breathtaking islands in the world, and an experience that left a lasting impression on him.
John’s stay at the Constance Belle Mare Plage Resort was a highlight of the trip. Nestled on the stunning eastern coast of Mauritius, Belle Mare Plage provided a luxurious and serene backdrop for the entire adventure. From the moment John arrived, he was greeted with warm hospitality and a level of comfort that made it clear why this resort is a favorite among visitors. The resort's blend of world-class amenities, including pristine beaches, elegant rooms, and a wide range of activities, made it the perfect base for exploring the island and preparing for the big race. Here's his take on it all;
It all started with an ambiguous, and somewhat perplexing, WhatsApp message… “Hey, John! Do you like riding bikes?” Those few words kickstarted a whirlwind adventure to the 29th Edition of The Mauritius Cycle Tour that has been truly unforgettable.
While the reality slowly sunk in, it all became more real by the day as Mauritius Tourism and Cycle Tour Director Christiaan Desjardins pulled out all the stops. Before I knew it, I was on my way and while boarding an SAA flight to Johannesburg the magnitude of the invitation I’d been given dawned on me. I was on my way to the slice of tropical island paradise; Mauritius.
From Johannesburg, I transitioned to Air Mauritius. The Air Mauritius Boing A300 was my first taste of the luxury and memorable experiences ahead. The flight staff, the food, the in-flight entertainment, and the comfort of the aircraft were beyond anything I had experienced before or could have expected.
Several excruciatingly anticipation-filled hours later, I was landing on the island as darkness fell. At the airport, I met up with Teresa and Fredel, who had flown in from Johannesburg and would be my thrilling and entertaining companions during my stay. We were met by Hans, who would take us to our accommodation. It was hard to see much in the hour-long drive from the airport to our beachfront bungalow, apart from the narrow and winding road in the headlights, which just made the suspense of sights to come more intense.
“Beach bungalow” sorely undersold what we would call home for the next 2 nights. When we arrived, we were greeted by a spectacular double-story home on the eastern side of the island. Already overwhelmed by the experiences of the day, I dumped my bags in my room and allowed my curiosity and desire to explore to lure me downstairs in the direction of the kitchen where our gracious host had stocked the fridge with beer, a roasted chicken, and baguettes.
Beer in hand I headed onto the porch where the moonlight cascaded down, glinting off the waves lapping the shore maybe a meter away, if that. Beyond the lazy shore waves, their more boisterous cousins could clearly be heard crashing on a reef in the distance.
As mesmerized and tempted to keep taking in every possible sight and sound as I was, the long day beckoned me to bed with the growing excitement of truly immersing myself in Mauritius sending tingles up my spine.
After a restful night’s sleep to the sound of the ocean, unbridled enthusiasm had me up at daybreak. Coffee in hand, I was back out on the porch with a spectacular sun-kissed nirvana laid out before me. Clear azure-tinted waves lazily broke on the pristine white sandy beach. I could make out the reef surrounding the island a kilometer offshore. Boats of all shapes and sizes, from local fisherman rowboats to luxury motor boats, idly bobbed at their moorings. After the turbulent storms that lashed the Cape before I left, it was almost unimaginable to be in shorts and a t-shirt while basking in the early morning sunshine.
Nothing could keep me from exploring and soon I headed off for the first of many walks along the peaceful, secluded beach. My first day in Mauritius was spent feeling the sand between my toes, lazing on the beach, soaking up the sun, and submerging my body and mind in the warm, crystal waters outside our bungalow. The perfect opportunity to ditch any jetlag, completely forget about any of life’s seriousness, and entirely embrace the Mauritian experience.
On the second morning, we were scheduled to leave the gloriously cozy accommodation we had just settled into. Despite wanting to spend more time exploring and memorizing every wave and grain of sand surrounding the bungalow, we set off for the Constance Belle Mare Plage Resort where we would spend the next 3 nights. I took one last look back at the beach and bungalow before looking ahead to the next leg of my adventure with curiosity and enthusiasm.
The drive to the resort brought a renewed appreciation for the smoothness of the traffic on such narrow roads while watching the world speed by. Trying to take in everything I could possibly see out all the windows as we drove past, I’m surprised I didn’t end up with whiplash or in a neck brace! The beach houses we left behind were quite obviously the holiday homes of the affluent and soon they gave way to the real Mauritius. As can be expected in any country but especially developing countries, not everyone in Mauritius is wealthy. You pass people from all walks of life but what stands out is how, irrespective of their socioeconomic status, the local people are incredibly friendly, welcoming, courteous, and more than happy to stop and chat. Even more striking is how Mauritius is an amazing cultural and linguistic melting pot, including English, French, and Creole. French definitely dominated the conversations I overheard and I racked my brain to remember how to respectfully let anyone addressing me in French know “Je ne parle pas Français.”
Arriving at the Constance Belle Mare Plage Resort, I can honestly say my eyes popped and I had to pick my jaw up off the ground. The luxury is apparent to anyone with a functioning pair of eyeballs. From the sparkling entrance, to the eager welcome with warm hand towels to freshen up, to the beautifully presented welcome drink, there is no hospitality effort spared to make guests feel heartily well-received. We were regaled at check-in with all that the resort has to offer (water skiing, snorkeling, sailing, boat excursions, fishing, hiking, and cycling). Alternatively, guests are tempted to lounge on the beach or next to one of the many pools scattered around the resort.
Soon enough, I was shown to my room, OMGoodGollyMissMolly! The room was fit for royalty. Between the king-sized bed, spacious lounge area, walk-in clothes cupboard, and bathroom (with bath, shower, and double basins); the room had every amenity one could wish for. Once I’d picked my jaw up off the floor for the umpteenth time that day, I set off to see what activities I could book to make the most of my Mauritius visit. It was then that I realized just how busy the resort was as pretty much all activities were currently booked to capacity. Note to self, book your spot in advance! Nevertheless, undeterred, I plotted my next move and how to maximize the memories I could make on this heavenly island.
Day 3 was spent in true holiday-maker fashion. After a leisurely stroll on another exquisite white sandy beach, I donned my baggies and dove into the clear aqua waters in front of the resort. It wasn’t long before the wanderlust bug bit me, though, and I waded ashore from the waves and to my room to pull on my cycling gear and hit the road. I’d been lent a bike that probably weighs as much as one wheel of my mountain bike at home and I wasn’t about to let it stand idle and unused.
It’s been a while since I’ve pedaled astride a road bike and it took some getting used to. Nervous as I was on the narrow winding roads with lots of traffic, I soon found myself in a good rhythm and was pleased to find cars and mini busses were quite considerate and were aware of cyclists. This was a pleasant surprise compared to some of the popular cycling roads back home where vehicles seem to try their best to be totally oblivious to anyone with fewer than four wheels. Returning to the resort, it was time for another swim and to chill as the Mauritius Cycle Tour was the next day.
Mauritius Cycle Tour 2023. The Big Day - Teresa Coetzee was riding the 100 km while I opted for the shorter 45 km race. It was an hour’s drive to the 100 km start and the plan was to take Teresa to the start and then follow the race to the 45 km start where I would join the other riders. As it happened, Fedel and I got stuck behind the 100 km riders and traffic, stopping to take some photos of the riders (as a photographer I just couldn’t help myself!) and we missed the 45 km start. Undeterred by missing my start, I focused on the bright side of being able to continue photographing the race. I was, interestingly, able to experience more of the race than had I ridden; watching the riders, observing spectators, passing water points, and drinking in all the peripheral aspects of the race riders may miss out on concentrating solely on the ride.
600 cyclists competed in the 29th edition of this amazing event. Unlike most other races, this event is held on closed roads and while the participants largely consist of locals, there are also quite a few international riders. With the narrow and winding roads, the race requires significant planning and coordination, however, the cycle tour team under the leadership of Christiaan Desjardins manages to execute flawlessly. Not to mention the energy and passion Christiaan and his crew bring to the event which makes it a one-of-a-kind event with an incredible vibe. The event really manages to appeal to locals and visitors, from cycling enthusiasts to those keen to try cycling for the first time, from serious to casual and recreational riders.
The race was certainly no walk in the park, with some significant climbs as riders left the coast and made their way into the more hilly, inland sections of the route, followed by technical descents, and eventually returning to the coastal road. Afterward, it was a relaxed ride to the race finish on the southwest coast. At the finish, Teresa shared her experiences from the race, while we sipped on a couple of well-earned cold drinks.
With a sense of achievement after a very successful day, the crew and I took a scenic drive back to Belle Mare Plage on the East Coast, where I could continue to soak up the ambiance, sipping cocktails while gazing out over the ocean from the resort's restaurant terrace. A short walk on the beach before retiring to bed ended a day of fond memories, accomplishment, and happiness.
Unfortunately, I was unable to stay in Mauritius longer to experience all the adventures the island offers as we all had to catch our return flights back to Johannesburg. Despite bidding a sad farewell, I am extremely grateful for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and having a taste of what the incredible island of Mauritius has to offer makes me determined to return in the not-too-distant future.
Mark Your Calendars!
The 30th Edition of the Mauritius Cycle Tour is just one month away! This year's event promises to be even more spectacular as it marks a significant milestone. I'll be there racing among you on the 14th of September, ready to take on the challenge once again. Whether you're returning or joining for the first time, this is an event you won't want to miss.
And this year, we’ll be returning to Constance Belle Mare Plage, our beloved home away from home. We’re incredibly grateful to the team at Belle Mare Plage for their exceptional hospitality last year, and we can't wait to experience their top-notch service and stunning surroundings once again.
Get ready to experience the thrill of the ride, the beauty of Mauritius, and the incredible community that makes this event so special. See you at the start line!
