Just when we thought it was over....

We were contacted by The Wheeler magazine (www.thewheeler.com.au). They took our pics at the top of Willunga and now wanted some info. Never ones to shy away from our media commitments we have provided some info in the hope that we make it to the pages of such a fine publication.

Here's a couple of the pics.

Breakfast with Greipel

So three TDU stage winner Andre Greipel wanted to have breakfast with us at Adelaide airport

TDU Stage 6 Adelaide Circuit 90km

TDU Final Stage 6 Map (click on the link to view)

TDU Stage 5 McLaren Vale to Old Wilunga Hill 151km

TDU Stage 5 Map (click on the link to view)

Packing the Merch

Picked up the extra bike we are bringing home. We then opened the box and proceeded to stuff the spare space full of water bottles that we collected from the roadside.

Today we scored more hats bags and even a Giant cow bell. The bell isn't huge. It's from the bike manufacturer Giant.

Stuffed so a very quiet night in with the tv and a couple of beers. Enjoying the Three Amigos and Blazing Saddles. A wild night in Hindley St Adelaide!!

Got some video today of a very fast downhill section but can't load it on the blog. Needless to say it was scary fast.

Willunga Hill

Today we parked the van at McLaren Vale had a coffee and watched the start if Stage Five. Then we cruised down through the town of Willunga which marks the start of the famous climb. Not as steep as Checkers but much longer. Great atmosphere already on the climb and a mini village at the summit. Got our pics taken by Wheeler magazine so that will be more media if they publish it. The downhill was very scary. The wind is gusting and the descent is fast so it's very easy to get speed wobble. Awesome views.

TDU Stage 4 Norwood to Tanunda 130 km

TDU Stage 4 Map click on the link to view

Operation Musette

Mission accomplished. TICK

Some poor Rabobank rider didn't manage to to keep hold of his lunch. The bag was still full of gels bars fruit and coke. Hope he managed to grab another.

Interview (well almost)

One of our missions was to get a tv or newspaper interview regarding the TDU. Today Stu managed to tick this box when he took part in an ABC radio talkback show when Sydneys Adam Spencer was claiming that having two young girls on the TDU podium kissing the winner is degrading. Stu presented the argument that it's traditional and the girls are getting paid and they obtain international exposure for their modelling career. MEDIA INTERVIEW - TICK

Interview (well almost)

One of our missions was to get a tv or newspaper interview regarding the TDU. Today Stu managed to tick this box when he took part in an ABC radio talkback show when Sydneys Adam Spencer was claiming that having two young girls on the TDU podium kissing the winner is degrading. Stu presented the argument that it's traditional and the girls are getting paid and they obtain international exposure for their modelling career. MEDIA INTERVIEW - TICK

Suffield Vineyards

After we watched the riders go through we followed the procession for a while and then headed for home. On the way we noticed a small boutique vineyard with the owners doing roadside tastings. We pulled over and were warmly greeted by Nick & Lynne Taylor from SUFFIELD VINEYARDS. As we were sampling we noticed that their German backpacking worker Jans was working on a couple of very old bikes in a bid to get one working. After a quick help with the chain breaker we had the chain ready. We sampled their Shiraz and Riesling and highly recommend either. Thanks Nick and Lynne for your hospitality and the wine and nibbles.

Checkers Hill

Quick drive out of Adelaide to park the car at Chain of Ponds which is at the base of the famous Checkers Hill. With only about 500m before the start of the climb we weren't even warmed up before we were faced with a wall of bitumen heading skywards. Jenno set off followed by Andy then Stu. About the three quarter mark Jenno was juggling his sunnies and shouting at his legs no doubt telling them to shut up. Andy started zig zagging to take the elevation out of the climb. Stu just let very quiet with head down probably praying to the bike gods to keep his dodgy SRAM chain on the sprockets. 18 per cent is what the gps rated the climb and it felt like it. After that there was a great loop to ride back through some stunning countryside. SA is a great place to hold a cycling tour.

TDU Stage 3 Unley to Victor Harbor - 134.5km

TDU Stage 3 Map click on the link to view

Stage 3

We were at the start in Unley where we managed to get the autograph of Jens 'shut up legs' Voigt. Also saw SaxoBank boss Bjarne Riis. From Unley the plan was to head to Mt Compass which was the feed station in a bid to score a team feed bag souvenir. Unfortunately we were thwarted by a police roadblock by only a couple of seconds. So we watched the four-man breakaway come through then the peloton about 3.5 minutes later. Then it was back to our van to chase and see what we could find. No bags. Only a few more water bottles for the collection. Didn't go to Victpr Harbour for the finish to see Greipel win yet another stage. Highly recommend the pie shop in Mt Compass. We've set up our van to clip in our bikes so they don't rattle.

Thursday morning ride

It's a long long story but we ended up with an invite to a ride organised by Champ Sys gear (lucky we wore ours!). The ride was a loop that started at the Watermark Hotel in Glenelg out to Outer Harbour and back. About 50km. Back at the hotel they laid on breakfast and coffees. Great people.

Mission accomplished

We have his autograph

TDU Stage 2 Lobethal to Stirling - 148km

TDU Stage 2 Map click on the link to view

Tan Lines

Yesterday was quite intense in terms of sun and heat. Here's the result

Stage 2 result

Awesome win for Uni SA rider William Clarke to hold off the peloton. Great to watch and be part of the atmosphere. After the race it was quick ride down to Hahndorf for a German beer (although Jenno bought Coopers)

Stage 2

A quickish but long climb from the City up to the village of Stirling in the Adelaide hills. Left in sunshine and arrived in the clouds. Thankfully much cooler than yesterday even to the point of being chilly. Jenno and Stu have taken off to do a lap that the tour will do three times through Stirling. I've found a great position about 30 metres from the finish and been to grab today's freebies. Bring on the bikes

TDU Stage 1 Prospect to Clare - 149km

TDU Stage 1 Map click on the link to view

Idiosyncrasies

You live in a small room with people and you quickly find out about their habits.

Sitting in a layby

So the ride back to Clare from Riverton was totally into a very warm strong headwind. On the way we were stopping to collect discarded water bottles. Found a good few. The going was getting harder and Andy was getting slower so he and Stu decided to sit and wait with the stash of bottles while Jenno went ahead to pick up the truck

Stage 1

We drove to Clare which is the finish of the stage and parked the van. The plan was to cycle the stage backwards to Riverton to watch the sprint. Good head out on a very hot day with a tailwind. At times we were easier cruising at 45km. Hit the headwind and decided to pull into Saddleworth for a break and a quick ale to quench our thirsts. We were then ready for the final 10 km to Riverton. Did a sprint finish then into the pub for a beer and burger. I'd hate to be racing today. Hot and windy

Monday's events

Today was a rest day for the pro riders so we hooked up with some mates from Brisbane and headed out for a lovely 75 km ride. After leaving the CBD we headed uphill to Windy Point through some villages and up another hill (Coxs Hill) that took us near McLaren Vale. Stunning scenery then downhill to Hallam Cove. Once at the coast we headed west along to Glenelg stopping briefly for a photo in the sharks jaw. Compulsory coffee at Glenelg with some of the Green Edge team. Then the FDJ team turned up We headed home only to be met. U the green jerseys of the Liquigas team. We hung around the Italians all the way home which was awesome. Back home it was reality time and a load of washing needed to done and some creative drying techniques. Very hot afternoon so happy to hang around in the aircon. It's raining in Brisbane.

TDU Freebies

As part of our mission whilst in Adelaide we have tried to obtain freebie merchandise every day. So far we have cycling caps drink bottles Lycra gear and men's toiletries. Still no autograph from Jens Voigt but we are optimistic.

At the coffee shop with Team Green Edge

Down Under Classic - 51km in Adelaide

Stage map of the TDU Classic click on the link to view

Andre Greipel and Eddie Mercx

Greipel from Lotto wins Sundays classic. He was flying!!!

Phil and Paul

TDU Classic

At the first stage. Criterium on a circuit in a park. Very scary speeds!!

Morning ride

Sunday morning ride up Norton Summit then on to Mt Lofty. Great views. Nice climbs. Great descent. Coffee at Glenelg. Nice

So we went for our first SA ride

We went for a leg warmer to Glenelg and back about 20 km total but the hotel girl insisted on being in the pics!
We also met some dude in the mall that didn't say too much.