TDU cycling challenge with the professionals in Australia

Looking for a TDU cycling challenge in 2014?
If you are looking for the ultimate quality Bike Tour to enjoy the spectacle of this year’s Tour Down Under all with your own fully guided rides and complete confidence in all the details – our Premium Bike Tour is for you!

Monday 20th January – Arrival Day in Adelaide
Welcome to Adelaide, our personalized service will collect you at midday from Adelaide Airport followed by a short transfer to your deluxe accommodation in the heart of the city. Having checked-in to your accommodation we are available to assist you with un-packing your bike followed by the opportunity for a gentle ride to stretch out the legs from travel and to ensure that the bikes also travelled safely!

This evening we invite you to join us for Welcome Drinks and Dinner ‘a surprise’ at one of Adelaide’s cosmopolitan Restaurants. A great time to talk about our planned week ahead with fantastic ride routes and live race action from the road side!

*Planned Ride – The Ultimate Bike Tour where you get to choose to ride as much or as little as you wish

Tuesday 21st January – View the Tour down Under Stage 1 Nuriootpa – Angaston
*Planned Ride Options:
Distance 115km route Barossa Valley + Race Circuit
Distance 70km route Barossa Valley
Distance 45km route Angaston Race Circuit
INCLUSIONS: Breakfast, Barossa Valley Winery Visit
NON CYCLING GUEST: Share the Tour day sights and TDU stage action
This first stage of the Tour down Under will be a full and action packed day with our own TdU cycling challenge as we head North to the world famous wine region of the Barossa Valley. With multiple ride options on offer you can start your ultimate cycling week with a long adventure north passing many of Adelaide’s reservoirs on route or transfer to the race route for a moderate day of riding on the same roads as the race. Our first opportunity to see the stars of cycling will be as they hit max speed for the Jayco Sprint, after the noise and carnival atmosphere of the race peloton followed by the entourage of support vehicles. After which we will continue along the race route enjoying a lunch stop on route before arriving in Angaston.
The circuit of the race route will allow us several race viewing opportunities today before the anticipated sprint finish in Angaston.
This afternoon we have the opportunity to visit one of the great Barossa Valley Wineries and taste some very special grapes.

Wednesday 22nd January – View the Tour down Under Stage 2 Prospect – Stirling
*Planned Ride Options:
Distance 105km route Adelaide Hills + Race Circuit
Distance 60km route Race Circuit
Distance 41km route Aldgate
INCLUSIONS: Breakfast, Visit Tour Village & Bike Expo
NON CYCLING GUEST: Share the Tour day sights and action in the Hills
After the buzz of the fastest professional sprinters in the world hitting the finishing line in Angaston yesterday, todays ride route will take us to the start line in Prospect to catch the teams with their final preparation to a tough day ahead in the saddle, wander amongst the professional teams as they prepare for their day’s work and it is also a rare chance to get up close and personal with all the stars of professional cycling and some great photo opportunities.

Another magnificent multi race watching and ride option day is on offer as we follow the race route onto the finishing circuit and view the final efforts for stage glory in Stirling. Before our final kilometres of today’s classic ride descending into Adelaide with spectacular views all the way.

Late this afternoon is a perfect opportunity to take a drink together and visit the Tour Village & Bike Expo, the hub of the Tour down Under and the centre of activity for the team support personnel including the workshops for the team mechanics.

Thursday 23rd January – View the Tour down Under Stage 3 Norwood – Campbelltown
*Planned Ride Options:
Distance 90km route Kersbrook Race Circuit + KOM
Distance 60km route Montacute
INCLUSIONS: Breakfast, Adelaide Hills Winery Visit, Dinner
NON CYCLING GUEST: Share the Tour day sights and action
Today Stage 3 will be difficult for the Tour down Under peloton as they take on a large loop out onto the difficult roads to the northeast of Adelaide with Corkscrew Hill added in for a final selection effort!

We have added variety into our TdU cycling challenge today and also consideration for those preparing for the BUPA Challenge ride tomorrow. With flexibility the key ingredient to your ultimate week of riding and race viewing pleasure. Today you may wish for a lighter ride and an optional relaxing afternoon or a hidden gem of Adelaide Hills wine tasting!

With a big day in the saddle planned tomorrow including the option of the ‘BUPA Challenge Tour’ (if entered) for your convenience we have reserved a Classic Italian Restaurant for this evening’s ideal Carbo.

Friday 24th January – ‘BUPA Challenge” + Tour down Under Stage 4 Unley – Victor Harbour
*Planned Ride Option:
Distance 148.5km route ‘BUPA Challenge Tour’ (if entered)
INCLUSIONS: Breakfast
NON CYCLING GUEST: Share and Support the ‘Challenge’ riders effort to Victor Harbour
This is the Big One and the Challenge you’ve been looking forward to for months with an extra-long day in the saddle as we head south to Victor Harbour. If the coastal winds blow you will be glad you had your very own ‘Super PB domestiques’ for the day!

For those who have chosen the ‘BUPA Challenge Tour’(if entered) we will be following the actual stage route for 148.5km, you will feel like a real pro for the day, taken care of and in the very experienced and capable hands (& legs) of PRACTICEBICYCLE and your own personal support team. After such a long and challenging day in the saddle we have organized for you to shower & change, after which you can relax amongst the cafes and enjoy the ambience of the Victor Harbour stage finish.

Once the ‘finale’ of the stage has hit the streets of Victor Harbour at full speed and the fanfare of the day is finally over, we will transfer by vehicle back to Adelaide.

Saturday 25th January – View the Tour down Under Stage 5 McLaren Vale – Old Willunga Hill
*Planned Ride Options:
Distance 130km route Beach, McLaren Vale rtn
Distance 80km route Beach & McLaren Vale
Distance 30km route McLaren Vale
INCLUSIONS: Breakfast, McLaren Vale Winery, Dinner
NON CYCLING GUEST: Share the Tour day sights and stage action
Today is the decisive day of this year’s Tour down Under, with Stage 5 including the only hill top finish in the event. It’s also our opportunity to ride the great South Australia roads together before watching the action at several “Live viewing spots” and then finally on Old Willunga Hill at the KOM and Finish Line.

After several days of exploring this marvellous cycling region, we will also be feeling just like the Pro’s with one final TdU cycling challenge together. Today we head along the coast south into the McLaren Vale wine growing region and onto the flatter roads amongst the vineyards of this superb wine growing area.

The spectacle of this fantastic sporting event will be at a high today as we have an amazing 5 opportunities to watch the world’s best race action pass us by. Refreshed in one of the local cafes on route absorb this superb spectacle as they take on the KOM and the highlight of the day as the fight is on for the Winner of the 2014 Tour down Under!

This afternoon we have the opportunity to visit one of the fantastic McLaren Vale Wineries.

With the adrenaline pumping and the best professional cyclists in the world finished for the day we will take a leisurely ride back to Adelaide for those who wish or vehicle transfer back to Adelaide and our well-deserved final celebration dinner together.

Sunday 26th January – Departure Day from Adelaide + View the Tour down Under Stage 6 Adelaide City Council Street Circuit
*Planned Ride Options:
Distance 60km route Adelaide Climb
Distance 50km route Beach
INCLUSIONS: Breakfast, Airport Transfer
NON CYCLING GUEST: Share the Tour day sights and action
Unfortunately today your TdU cycling challenge comes to an end with a final ride option this morning before PRACTICE BICYCLE are available to assist you with packing your bike ready for your onward journey from Adelaide.

For those planning to depart later in the day take advantage of an unique Pro Tour stage with the fast and furious street race to get very close to the speed and glitz of the Race Peloton at full speed!

After which your team will say good bye and transfer you to Adelaide airport for your departure.