2011 Tour Down Under

[Dasher39]

Was lucky enough to be part of the Tour Parade today for Stage 5 of the Tour Down Under.

A fantastic event, I was blown away by the amount of people that came out for it. There were people everywhere, and it seemed that every house had some sort of decoration up for it.

Old Willunga Hill was something out. I'd heard a lot about it, but having experienced it it's even better than what I'd heard. Trying to drive up in the car was quite difficult with thousands upon thousands lining the sides of the road on the way up and up the top.

The only real downside to being a part of the Parade is that we're always 20-30 mins ahead of the race, so I didn't actually get to see much of the race. But the whole experience was worthwhile.

Left the city early this morning, with 25 cars in the convoy getting a police escort all the way, with horns honking everywhere we went. Made one feel quite special.

Here are a few snaps:

Our ride - Oppy!



Leaving Adelaide with our Police Escort



The Start Line at McLaren Vale



Mark Cavendish signs on



Andre Greipel



Robbie McEwan



Breathtaking scenery



A quick break at Snapper Point to hand out some goodies...



There were thousands up the top of Old Willunga Hill



Finish Line after the race has finished

[Adelaide_United_Red]

I Love the TDU. when Melbourne pinched the Grand Prix, ADL whinged(quite a lot tbh!!) but I'd bet body parts that the majority of not just Adelaide but the whole state is much happier with the so-called "replacement events" the Clipsal 500 and the Tour Down Under. The first gives the revheads their fix(at a much more affordable price). I'm not one for motor racing, but some of my friends that are believe that the closeness of the V8's is much more appealing than the F1's anyway. plus they don't have to get up at odd hours to watch the other rounds!

The TDU showcases not just Adelaide the City, but the wonderful countryside of the state. It truly is a great event that "goes to the people" and in terms of outlay vs income, I'd be very surprised if there was any economist anywhere who could produce a credible report to talk down the impact of the event on SA's economy.

thanks for the pictures Dasher:)

[Dasher39]

I Love the TDU. when Melbourne pinched the Grand Prix, ADL whinged(quite a lot tbh!!) but I'd bet body parts that the majority of not just Adelaide but the whole state is much happier with the so-called "replacement events" the Clipsal 500 and the Tour Down Under. The first gives the revheads their fix(at a much more affordable price). I'm not one for motor racing, but some of my friends that are believe that the closeness of the V8's is much more appealing than the F1's anyway. plus they don't have to get up at odd hours to watch the other rounds!

The TDU showcases not just Adelaide the City, but the wonderful countryside of the state. It truly is a great event that "goes to the people" and in terms of outlay vs income, I'd be very surprised if there was any economist anywhere who could produce a credible report to talk down the impact of the event on SA's economy.

thanks for the pictures Dasher:)

Yep, Adelaide have done very well for themselves. Created events from scratch that now every state in Australia would die for.

Tour Down Under really is a fantastic event, as you said showcases all of SA to a massive worldwide audience.

Went into the City again today for the final stage and once again there was a massive crowd present for a fantastic finish.

More photos (don't ask me who is who!)

[Jeffles]

I had my first frog cake in that Continental Deli and Cafe in Maclaren Vale where the start line is.

I've read Tour De Lance by Bill Strickland and purchased my first bicycle as an adult in the last month. I have a new found appreciation for road cycling. Great pics. The TDU has really grown into its own which is great for Adelaide.

[yob]

I had my first frog cake in that Continental Deli and Cafe in Maclaren Vale where the start line is.

I've read Tour De Lance by Bill Strickland and purchased my first bicycle as an adult in the last month. I have a new found appreciation for road cycling. Great pics. The TDU has really grown into its own which is great for Adelaide.

From my experience and of a few mates as well, the life cycle of a road cyclist basically goes like this.

1) sh*t I'm unfit.

2) sh*t I'm starting to feel fit!!

3) Hit by a car. Are you dead?

3a) Yes. Stop cycling.

3b) No. Too scared to go near a bike.

4) Get back on bike.

GOTO 1


I've pretty much taken it to the point that I want to do Tour d'Afrique. Maybe I'll die, but I was going to die being a smoking boozer before hand so to hell with it.

[Adelaide_United_Red]

I had my first frog cake in that Continental Deli and Cafe in Maclaren Vale where the start line is.

I've read Tour De Lance by Bill Strickland and purchased my first bicycle as an adult in the last month. I have a new found appreciation for road cycling. Great pics. The TDU has really grown into its own which is great for Adelaide.

From my experience and of a few mates as well, the life cycle of a road cyclist basically goes like this.

1) sh*t I'm unfit.

2) sh*t I'm starting to feel fit!!

3) Hit by a car. Are you dead?

3a) Yes. Stop cycling.

3b) No. Too scared to go near a bike.

4) Get back on bike.

GOTO 1


I've pretty much taken it to the point that I want to do Tour d'Afrique. Maybe I'll die, but I was going to die being a smoking boozer before hand so to hell with it.

My experiences and of my mates was more like:
1) sh*t I'm unfit.

2) you want how much for one of those little things??

3) how about I just buy a bottom of the range bike?

4) sh*t I'm starting to feel fit!! - and no I don't feel like an idiot wearing this lycra. the missus laughs when I take it off due to my silly cyclists tan though:)

5) I know this great cafe up in the hills that serves awesome coffee:)

6) Close call with a car. Are you dead?

6a) Yes. Stop cycling. Family reads article in Advertiser with random public comments blaming cyclists for everything short of the holocaust just by delaying them for 15 second on the roads.

6b) No. Start to feel intense dislike for idiots that drive while using their mobile phones

6c) really begin to notice how many cyclists are out on the roads. drive with a greatly increased level of care around them.

6d) Get back on bike.

7) decide old cheap bike isn't good enough for my new level of fitness

8. ) convince missus to let you spend between 5 and 8 thousand on a carbon fibre piece of cycling art that you can lift with your pinky finger.

9) bang on incessantly about how great cycling has been for your health and try to convince others to get involved

10) have argument with random idiot who bangs on about cycling being a cheats sport full of drug abusers.

11) go back to (6d)

[yob]

8. ) convince missus to let you spend between 5 and 8 thousand on a carbon fibre piece of cycling art that you can lift with your pinky finger.

I spent about 18 months just letting the prospect of cycling the Tour d'Afrique just eat away at me until I said fuckit and tried conning the missus in to letting me do it. And what happened? She's so on board with it that she wants to do it as well. So now instead of dropping 10,000 euro and saying 'cya honey back in 4' I now face the prospect of dropping 30-40k AUD and god knows what will pay the mortgage for 4 months.

6b) No. Start to feel intense dislike for idiots that drive while using their mobile phones

You know, it's not really like that to me. I got splattered by someone talking on the mobile. Yeah, that's annoying. But it never really got me to the point of hatred or wanting retribution. I didn't even pursue a motor injury claim. I figure she nearly killed me, I lived, f**k her, take it out on Kevin Muscat via my Samsung.

[Jeffles]

...I got splattered by someone talking on the mobile. Yeah, that's annoying. But it never really got me to the point of hatred or wanting retribution. I didn't even pursue a motor injury claim...

WHAT? Did this happen in NSW?

[yob]

...I got splattered by someone talking on the mobile. Yeah, that's annoying. But it never really got me to the point of hatred or wanting retribution. I didn't even pursue a motor injury claim...

WHAT? Did this happen in NSW?

How did I know that would get your attention. Happened in the ACT. I never pursued it because I didn't want to know how much $$$ my life was worth. Also the bird wasn't charged because the witness didn't leave their name.

[Jeffles]

Change your f***ing mind and get me some fees!

[yob]

I have created a rift in our relationship.

[yob]

http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/doyle-emb ... 5993786144

Tour Down Underbelly. I like!

[Adelaide_United_Red]

Bloody Victorian's, come up with your own events, instead of pinching SA's and then running them into the ground!

[cam]

We might take the Clipsal 500 while we're at it. Oh and why not the WTC tennis event from Memorial Drive as well.

[yob]

Oh and why not the WTC tennis event from Memorial Drive as well.

Because it's crap?