7 DAYS / 6 NIGHTS ITINERARY

Non Cycling Option:
Scenic drive into the northern Adelaide Hills, visit the unique Whispering Wall dam enroute to the Barossa Valley – for the stage finish in Lyndoch. Apres race, visit a boutique Barossa Valley winery  “Soul Growers” for a wine tasting, return via historic Seppeltsfield.

THE RACE:
Historic Port Adelaide will be the setting for the start of Stage 1 of the Santos Tour Down Under.
The cyclists will ride north along the Port River Expressway/Freeway and out to the Barossa, taking in scenic views of pastures and vineyards on their way to the finish arch in Lyndoch.
Subaru King of the Mountain: Kersbrook Road, Humbug Scrub (Category 2, 6.3km climb, 4% gradient)
Sprint locations: Williamstown Road, Cockatoo Valley (at general store) x 2 sprints
Hydration Station: Barossa Valley Way, Lyndoch (near Barossa Court)

MORE ABOUT OUR DAY

• After a hearty breakfast we will head off for the finish in Lyndoch in the Barossa Valley.
  Our route out will follow the foothills and scenic ridges of the northern Adelaide Hills towards Gawler, if time permits we’ll stop in Gawler for a coffee and quick snack at this small historic town, before we ride up and into the Barossa Valley to our ride finish at Lyndoch. We’ll meet up with the non cyclists, refresh and refuel ourselves and watch the finish of Stage 1 of the Tour Down Under.
• Once the race has finished, for those who would like to ride home to the city we will get ready and head off along a different route home. It’s a big day out riding back to the city. It’ll be around 150km in total, with plenty of vert meters for the day taking in the northern Adelaide Hills, Chain of Ponds and dropping down the Gorge Road back into the city to our accommodation. We’ll definitely need a refreshing cold drink on arrival.
• If you’ve finished riding for the day at the stage finish in Lyndoch, join the non cycling option, après race we’ll visit the boutique Barossa Valley winery  “Soul Growers” a short distance away in Tanunda for a wine tasting and winery visit. We’ll then make our way back to the city via the scenic roads of the Barossa Valley and Seppeltsfield. A great day of biking in one of Australia’s premier wine regions.

Non Cycling Option:
Scenic drive through the Adelaide hills following the cycling route onto the German hamlet of Hahndorf. Watch the race come through Handorf, then transfer over to Stirling to meet back up with the cycling group to watch the race pass’s and finish in the beautiful Adelaide Hills town of Stirling. Take lunch, explore the farmers markets and boutiques in Stirling

STAGE 2:
Metropolitan Unley will be the setting of the start of Stage 2 of the Santos Tour Down Under. The peloton will travel from Unley north, up through the Adelaide Hills loop, then make three laps of the leafy suburb of Stirling, before the race finish on Mount Barker Road, Stirling.
Subaru King of the Mountain: North East Road, Tea Tree Gully near Range Road North (Category 2, 2.5km climb, 6.3% gradient)
Sprint #1: Main Street, Oakbank (near hotel)
Sprint #2: Strathalbyn Road, Mylor (near Cross Street)
Hydration Station: Mt Barker Road, Stirling (near oval)

MORE ABOUT OUR DAY

• We will skip the start today as we will see it tomorrow and then again on Saturday. Our day will start by heading up into the hills, the Adelaide Hills! Our ride will take us directly up and through the beautiful roads, with green vineyards either side of us as we head through the hills towns of Woodside, Oakbank and onto the beautiful German village of Hahndorf.
• We’ll stop to see the Tour Down Under 50km into it’s route as it pass’s through Hahndorf’s main street. The atmosphere will be great in this little Germanic town, but the main reason we’re here is for the scenery, historic buildings and the food. Be sure to try some of the renowned German Baked goods in Hahndorf.
• After the race passes through Hahndorf, we will take a shorter local route so as to miss getting caught by the race route across to the town of Stirling. The riders do 4 laps around a circuit, passing through Stirling each time, so we will get to see them a few times. We may miss the first pass through town, but we’ll be front and centre for the remaining laps, while taking in some lunch from the farmers market stalls as we watch the race and the finish. The Stirling stages have historically attracted large crowds, we expect the same this year after the race finish by passed the town of Stirling last year.
• Once we have seen the finish, then it’s the decision to ride or not to ride back to the city, its 25km! All the Pro’s ride back after the race and thousands of riders make the pilgrimage back to the city, its great fun, but as with any ride with thousands of new friends it can be a technically tricky ride – It’s actually quicker to ride most times, the climb out of Stirling is a bit of a shock to the legs, but after that it’s all downhill past “Eagle on the Hill”, down the bike path to the edge of Adelaide, then onto the road for the last bit back to the city. If time permits we may stop in for a cool drink at one of our favorite event spaces – enroute back to our hotel.
• Back at the hotel, it will be time to tidy up and head for a well earned post ride dinner and refreshments. Time to try another eatery or maybe it’s back to your favourite? We’ve got plenty of great dining suggestions in Adelaide for you.

Ride Options: 50km/65km/85km. Ride from the Hotel on our flatter coastal recovery – tapering loop to Port Adelaide, Outer Harbour and along the coastline onto the stage start in Glenelg 50km. Option to change, freshen up and take a vehicle transfer back to our city hotel Apres 11am race start, or either return the direct 15km route home to our city hotel to rest up for tomorrow’s Bupa Challenge Tour, total 65km or the longer 35km way home via a southern beaches loop and back to the Hotel for 85km total.

Non Cycling Option:
Visit Glenelg beach, explore Adelaide’s seaside gem, take a walk along the high street shopping district, wander out to the end of the pier/jetty to take in the landscape views back toward the city and Adelaide Hills.  The main reason we visit the seaside strip of Glenelg is to see the stars of the Tour Down Under before the Stage 3 race start. It’ll be exciting, you’ll get up close and personal with the riders and teams, watch them sign on and then prepare for the race, It’s a great spot for photos and selfies with the stars of the show the Pro riders.

STAGE 3:
The race, riders will take on Pennys Hill Road for the Subaru King of the Mountain points before the three-lap finishing circuit around the southern coastal town of Victor Harbor.
Subaru King of the Mountain: Pennys Hill Road, The Range near property 313 (Category 1, 2.8km climb, 7.6% gradient).
Sprint #1: Main South Road, Myponga (near general store)
Sprint #2: Inman Valley Road, Inman Valley (near Memorial Hall)
Hydration Station: The Esplanade, Victor Harbor (near Albert Place)

MORE ABOUT OUR DAY

• Glenelg is always a great seaside start and also a good distance for a ride, we’ll take the much longer coastal route past Historic Port Adelaide, Outer Harbour and pause for a coffee at one of the popular coastal eateries. It’s the Bupa Challenge tomorrow, so you will probably want to have an easier “active recovery” ride to taper before tomorrow’s big challenge, then put your feet up.
• Starts are good fun and a great place to see and possibly get a selfie with the riders and staff as they get ready for the race. You’ll probably find a few of the riders sitting in the cafes near the start, getting that last dose of caffeine before they go to work for the day.
• After seeing the race start we will head back to the hotel via either your choice of, vehicle transfer, or direct route 15km or a southern beaches coastal loop back to the city 35km. You’re free for the rest of the afternoon, you’ll be back in the city in time for a late lunch, to rest up and prepare yourself and your machine for tomorrow’s big event the Bupa Challenge Tour.
• This evening we’ll get everyone together from the 8, 6 and 3 night trips over an informal aperitif, then you’re free to explore the many dining opportunities Adelaide City has to offer. You won’t have to go far as we are near the popular eating districts.  Ask us for ideas, we’ll give you some suggestions based on your preferred pre event food types and dining style!

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.

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.