4 DAYS / 3 NIGHTS ITINERARY

OUR BUPA RIDES
Four Ride Options: 137.4km/100km/65km (+ 20km optional ride back to city).
5.30am: – 137.4km, Ride from Hotel to the Norwood start.
5.30am: 100km and 65km Rides, load bikes into vehicles at our Hotel – 5.45am Depart. 1 hour transfer to Gumeracha, additional 30mins transfer to Mt Torrens.
7.15am: Gumeracha – 100km Bupa Ride.
8am: Mount Torrens – 65km Bupa Ride.
20km – optional ride home to Hotel, Apres Bupa ride or Race finish.

Non Cycling Option:
Adelaide Hills scenic tour, visit a selection of the towns and villages that make up the Adelaide hills, arrive at the Uraidla Stage finish in time for lunch, to meet the cyclist from our group and to see the excitement of the stage finish of the Tour Down Under.

STAGE 4:
Subaru King of the Mountain: Norton Summit Road, Teringie (Category 1, 5.8km climb, 5% gradient).
Sprint #1: Shannon Street, Birdwood (near August Street)
Sprint #2: Onkaparinga Valley Road, Charleston (50m north of Graber Street)
Hydration Station: Cold Store Road, Lenswood (at Edwards Hill Road)

MORE ABOUT OUR DAY

• Today we will be able to put our hard earned cycling skills to the test from Norwood through the Adelaide Hills and then back up to Uraidla on the Bupa Challenge Tour Gran Fondo, just hours before the professionals tackle the same stage route.
• You can choose from 3 distances options: The full pro route of 137.4kms, 100kms or a more relaxed 65kms.
• If you’re doing the full distance, we will ride from the hotel to the start at Norwood. Otherwise we will transport you to Gumeracha for the 100kms start and Mt Torrens for the 65kms start.
• All rides finish when you sprint under the finish arch at Greenhill Road, Uraidla where we will meet you and direct you to our vehicles to collect your gear, freshen up, have a cool drink and have a well earned lunch.
• You may be tired and just want to head back to the hotel and not wait for the finish of the Tour Down Under. If you do, then it’s an easy (optional) ride, mostly downhill back to our hotel in Adelaide.
• We’ll stay for the finish of the stage it’s due around 3.00pm and our vehicles will wait till the finish and presentation of jerseys before heading for home.

OUR RIDES
7.30am: Ride start.
Ride Options: 55km/75Km/135km. 1600m Vertical.
• Ride from the Hotel via the slightly easier bike path route to McLaren Vale race start, then onto Willunga Hill 55km-750m Vertical; or
• Ride from the Hotel via the very hilly route to McLaren Vale race start, then onto Willunga Hill 75km-1200m Vertical.
• Ride home from Willunga Hill after the race finish to Adelaide 55km-400m Vertical.
Notes: Pack a day pack with your civilian attire to change into, once you arrive at the Willunga Hill finish.

Non Cycling Option:
Scenic drive to visit the stage start town of McLaren Vale. The atmosphere, festivities and anticipation at the start of this renown wine region star ahead of the Queens Stage of the Tour Down Under is fantastic. You’ll get a chance to see the riders signing in at the start too. We’ll then transfer up to the top of Willunga Hill to be part of the action for the final 2 laps and for the Finish on top of Willunga Hill.

STAGE 5:
Willunga Hill is a favourite of ours, it’s heralded as the ‘Queen’ stage of the Santos Tour Down Under and 2018 will be exciting as always. The day will start in McLaren Vale, famous for its winemaking. The town is always in party mode as it’s the first weekend stage for all of the local Adelaidians to enjoy, with the peloton headed for the thrilling Willunga Hill finish.
Subaru King of the Mountain: Brookman Road, Willunga Hill x 2 (Category 1, 3km climb, 7.5% gradient).
Sprint: The Esplanade, Snapper Point x 2.
Hydration Station: Main Road, Willunga (at Kell Street)

MORE ABOUT OUR DAY

• We will leave the hotel and head for the start at McLaren Vale. It’s the first and final weekend of the Tour Down Under, so a huge start, lots of people, colour, festivities and bike riders. The town really turns it on, It’s a great atmosphere.
• After the start, we will regroup and head to Willunga town passing through and enjoying the festivities in Willunga, we will climb up to the Willunga Hill finish area, enjoying the cheers from the crowds that have gathered to watch the race.
• When we arrive at the finish line, our staff will take care of your bikes, you can change into your more comfortable civilian attire if you wish. Today we supply a European style light picnic lunch and drinks. you’ll be free to get a spot near the finish to see the gladiators battle it out. It’s usually a decisive and very exciting stage for the GC (General Classification), so enjoy the show.
• After the race, you can choose between the comfort of a return trip in one of our vehicles or the independence of riding back to the city with guides. It’s always a great ride home, with lots of camaraderie between the different groups, plenty of attacking riding after an exciting day of race watching and always a good bit of banter. If however you’re attending the legends dinner, you may want to opt for the transfer back in the vehicles to allow plenty of time to frock up once back at the hotel and save your legs for the Legends Dinner dance floor.
• Tonight is the Legends dinner (optional), it’s a superb night and we highly recommend it, you’ll be rubbing shoulders with the rich and famous of cycling’s elite, you’ll have a great night. We’ll transport you to the venue to avoid any unnecessary high heel walking time.
  For those not attending the Legends Dinner, it’s a free night. It’s always a good night to head over to the Hilton Hotel  as the riders who aren’t at the Legends Dinner are usually a bit more relaxed and chilling out in the foyer bar.