Sun Speed Spectacle Aussie Summer Cycling

Australia at it’s very best with this bike race tour, unique cycling down under and a true taste of Australia. Experience all the action of the Tour Down Under from our ‘live viewing spots’ and the opportunity to ride parts of the race route and other sensational, scenic rides with the team and expert guides. Start the year in style cycling the best roads in Australia and enjoying the amazing Tour Down Under trip!

With a world of cycling experience and unique small group skill set, Practice Bicycle Tours are the best way to enjoy your bike race holiday, whether you’re looking for day after day of challenge or a cruise on the most beautiful cycling roads of Australia.

Tour Down Under

Every January the eyes of the cycling world turn to Adelaide, Australia for the first major race on the world cycling calendar and the biggest cycling race in the southern hemisphere. The Santos Tour Down Under lifts this world class event to a new level with more climbing and truly a festival of cycling with all the stars of cycling challenged like never before. Practice Bicycle Tours have enjoyed being a part of this incredible event and the Adelaide region for many years, designing this tour to give you the best of both cycling & relaxing.

Enjoy the spectacle of each stage of the Tour Down Under race action, exploring on amazing routes with your own fully guided rides each day.  Relax and reward yourself with the best rides in South Australia with complete confidence in all the details.

Can’t get enough of World Tour cycling?

Bike Race ToursWe also offer bike race tours to the Grand Tours and the Criterium du Dauphine in the French Alps, spectacular race viewing and riding a cycling vacation of a lifetime.

View Tour de France
Tour Type question mark-01

Bike Race Tour

Activity Level question mark-01

Flexible – from 40 km/day to 120 km/day
We offer a choice of 2-3 ride distances each day as per our itineraries i.e 40, 80 or 120km

Available Packages question mark-01

Premium Tour:
4* Hotel Accommodation,
$3367 per person
4* Apartment Accommodation,
$3167 per person
3* Hotel Accommodation,
$2903 per person

Rides Only:
Flexible stay includes 6 rides to TDU stages
$2180 per person

One Hotel Cycling

Adelaide, Australia

Dates

18 – 24 January 2021

Duration

7 Days / 6 Nights

Small Group Size

4 to 8 people

Optional Extras question mark 01

Single room – $414
Bike hire – $600
Extra night – $150
Non-cycling partner – $3198

Non-cycling partner?

That’s ok, we cater to non-cyclists too!

Don’t miss out on a cycling holiday with your partner, just because you do not ride. We cater to non-cyclists that want to join their cycling wife/husband/partner at the Tour down Under Bike Race tour this January in Australia. With your preference to be less energetic, enjoy the sights of this world-class International race spectacle and the best of Adelaide and South Australia from the comfort of the support vehicle or should you prefer a rest from the race action, relax by the beach or enjoy the charm of Adelaide, sophisticated, cultured and casual.

I’ve just completed my first trip with Practice Bicycle, they provide such a great comprehensive service that can be made to accommodate every level of cycling from advanced to a bit of a novice like me. Great coaching from both Paul and Bridget and great organisation on other activities too...so glad that coffee, wine and food featured highly on the trip list too! Highly recommended.
Testimonial by J Medd – Australia
J Medd – Australia
Unfortunately due to the Coronavirus the 2021 Tour down Under has been canceled we look forward to sharing all the action with you in 2022.

Dates

Premium Tour
2021
  • 18 January — 24 January Enquire
Rides Only
2021
  • 19 January — 24 January Enquire

Itinerary

Small group amazing cycling with this race spectacle week at the Tour down Under.

Day 1

Monday 18th January - Arrival Day in Adelaide
ARRIVAL TIME IN ADELAIDE: 12:00pm
Ride Option: Distance 35km route Henley Beach
Includes: Airport Transfer, Welcome Drinks & Dinner
Non-cycling guests: Cosmopolitan atmosphere of Henley Beach & magnificent shoreline of St Vincent Gulf.
Welcome to Adelaide, our personalized service will collect you at midday from Adelaide Airport followed by a short transfer to your 4* Hotel accommodation in the heart of the city. Having checked-in to your accommodation we are available to assist you with un-packing your bike and should time permit the opportunity for a gentle ride over to the beach to stretch out the legs from your 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 fantastic week ahead with the best ride routes, live race action from the roadside and relaxing café / lunch stops facilitated on route each day.

Day 2

Tuesday 19th January - View the Tour down Under ZIPTRAK STAGE 1: TANUNDA-TANUNDA (150km elevation1268m)
Ride options:
Distance 105km Ascent 955m route Angaston
Distance 72km Ascent 700m route Williamstown
Distance 30km Ascent 255m route Tanunda
TDU Viewing Points: KOM + Sprint + Feed + Stage Finish
Includes: Breakfast, Café / Lunch stop facilitated, Barossa Wine Tasting
Non-cycling guests: Tanunda township & enjoy the finest wine in the world in the Barossa Valley
The 2020 Tour Down Under peloton begin this year’s event with both the start and finish on the streets of Tanunda with stage 1 taking the professional peloton on a circuit among some of the best wine in the world in the Barossa Valley. This is a relatively comfortable day for the European professional teams to start this year’s TDU although the climb of Breakneck Hill will allow for attacks and exciting racing throughout the stage before the anticipated super-fast sprint to the line in Tanunda.
Our own premium ride this morning, taken at our own pace as we wind our way out of Adelaide and experience a taste of the beautiful Adelaide Hills before we catch up with all race action live on the stage circuit. The uniqueness of the Aussie landscape allows us to keep the pedals turning and the Practice Bicycle unique live viewing spot and wine tasting opportunity will make for the perfect opening day, who will wear the first Santos Ochre Leaders Jersey at the Tour down Under 2020’.

Day 3

Wednesday 20th January - View the Tour down Under NOVATECH STAGE 2: WOODSIDE-STIRLING (135km elevation 2357m)
Ride Options:
Distance 96km Ascent 1300m route Woodside
Distance 85km Ascent 1150m route Race Route
Distance 55km Ascent 700m route Aldgate
TDU Viewing Points: Start + KOM + Feed
Includes: Breakfast, Café / Lunch stop facilitated, Visit Tour Village & Bike Expo
Non-cycling guest: Tour stage start town of Woodside, German township of Hahndorf & action in the Adelaide Hills
The TDU race leader and team will be working hard today to control the race with Stage 2 a very difficult race route in the Adelaide Hills with a total of 2357m of elevation. For those familiar with the history of the Tour down Under the difficult stage is the final stage at Willunga Hill, this year with stage 2 and tomorrows stage 3 both over 2000m there is little time for the riders to ease into the TDU 2020.
With a variety of superb riding options today on the race route, decide how much effort you would like to make riding some of the best cycling roads in Australia among the Adelaide Hills. Enjoy the atmosphere of the race start before we catch up with the peloton fighting for victory on the uphill sprint in Stirling.
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

Day 4

Thursday 21st January - View the Tour down Under SUBARU STAGE 3: UNLEY – PARACOMBE (131km elevation 2614m)
Ride Options:
Distance 113km Ascent 1560m route Lenswood
Distance 85km Ascent 1100m route Chain of Ponds
Distance 60km Ascent 650m route Paracombe
TDU Viewing Points: Feed + Sprint + KOM + Finish Circuit
Includes: Breakfast, Café / Lunch stop facilitated & Adelaide Hills Winery Visit,
Non-cycling guests: Gorge Native Wildlife Park, Cudlee Creek & spectacle of the race Finishing Circuit
One of the amazing aspects of this World Tour cycling event in Adelaide is the opportunity for race viewing on more than one occasion each day, it’s similar at our Volta Algarve bike race tour in Portugal each February and generally multiple race viewing opportunities are not possible at European professional races of this level. Add in the unique skill set and a world of cycling experience of your Practice Bicycle team and a thrilling day of cycling lays ahead
With the Pro Peloton challenged with 2614m of climbing, including 4 difficult laps of a finishing circuit before the final climb to the finish line the race organisation is making the 2020 TDU winner have great climbing legs this January. We can experience our own climbing on today’s stage with a variety of our choice routes on offer and the flexibility for all abilities the key to your ultimate week of riding and race viewing pleasure. Enjoy the race viewing on the finishing circuit or allow the legs to be challenged with a lap in the saddle.
Today you may wish for the option of a relaxing day with an included afternoon visit to a hidden gem of an Adelaide Hills wine tasting!

Day 5

Friday 22nd January – ‘Challenge Tour’ - View the Tour down Under STAGE 4: NORWOOD - MURRAY BRIDGE (152km elevation 1946m)
Ride option:
Distance 162.2km route ‘Challenge Tour’ (if entered)
Distance 96km Ascent 1500m route Mount Torrens
Distance 48km Ascent 930m route Montacute
TDU Viewing Points: KOM or Stage Finish
Includes: Breakfast, Café / Lunch stop facilitated, Challenge Tour Support
Non-cycling guests: Lobethal township markets and Beirhaus, Share and Support the ‘Challenge’ riders’ effort
For those who have chosen the ‘Challenge Tour’ the mass participation ride will be following the actual race stage route for 162.2km heading from Norwood into the Adelaide Hills before turning south to the finish line in Murray Bridge a complete day on the bike. Feel like a real pro for the day, taken care of and in the very experienced and capable hands (& legs) of your own Practice Bicycle domestiques (teammate & worker) and your own personal support team. Alternatively, the Practice Bicycle team have on offer your own tailored ride to catch up with the race action with great cycling in Australia whichever you decide!

Day 6

Saturday 23rd January Tour down Under STAGE 5: GLENELG - VICTOR HARBOR (149km elevation 2004m)
Ride Options:
Distance 104km Ascent 980m route Victor Harbor
Distance 93km Ascent 700m route Coastal
Distance 45km Ascent 760m route Meadows
TDU Viewing Points: Sprint + Finish
Includes: Breakfast, Café / Lunch stop facilitated
Non-cycling guests: Share the day on the Fleurieu Peninsula and township of Victor Harbor & Granite Island.
There are no easy stages at the 2020 Tour down Under and this early season stage race will be pushing the limits of the professionals this January, today its another 2000m elevation stage and it will be difficult to hide especially if the wind blows on the Peninsula. Stage 5 starts at the coastal resort town of Glenelg before heading over the climbs to Meadows then south towards the finish line in the lovely town of Victor Harbor on the Ocean at the Great Australian Bight. The 5km KOM of Kirby Hill before the finish could upset the sprinters and allow a break away to win the day.
We have a wonderful choice of ride options for today’s adventures head interior for more hilly terrain or follow the coastal route before enjoying all the festivities of the finish line in Victor Harbor. Take a recovery day from the bike or If you’ve come to Australia’s best cycling destination for quality back to back riding and your very own week of rides, enjoy these great roads with the professionals at Practice Bicycle bike tours.

Day 7

Sunday 24th January - Departure Day from Adelaide + View the Tour down Under BE SAFE BE SEEN STAGE 6: MCLAREN VALE - WILLUNGA HILL (151km elevation 1858m)
Ride option:
Distance 135km route Circuit Willunga Hill
Distance 82km route Aldinga Beach Willunga Hill
Distance 52km route McLaren Vale
TDU Viewing Points: Multiple stage viewing
Includes: Breakfast, Café / Lunch stop facilitated, McLaren Vale Wine Tasting
Non-cycling guests: Share all the final stage action in McLaren Vale wine region
After exploring this marvelous cycling region together, we will be feeling just like the Pro’s and with one final challenge together this will be a superb day to end this year’s TDU. If you prefer to spend your energy kicking back from the roadside the spectacle of this fantastic sporting event will be at a high today as we have multiple 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 2020 Tour down Under on Willunga Hill!
Sadly, today is also your departure day from Adelaide with the race action due to finish at 3.00pm we recommend you plan your onward travels for a departure time after 6:00pm.

For those planning to depart later and have chosen the optional extra of an additional night stay, enjoy one last evening in Adelaide before your Airport transfer the following morning Monday 27th January

*Ride option – It’s the PB Bike Tour experience where you get to choose to ride as much or as little as you wish!

Will I have enough to do off the bike?

With the Tour down Under an exciting festival of cycling, your days will be packed with fun both on and off the bike.  Make the most of this great week with a visit to the Adelaide City Council – Tour Village, catch up with all the latest race news over a refreshing drink.
Alternatively Adelaide’s generous boulevards and elegant architecture provide the perfect backdrop for all sorts of activities. No matter what takes your interest, there’s something here for you.

Where will I be staying?

Practice Bicycle includes a choice of 3* and 4* hand-picked luxury accommodation in the heart of the Adelaide city centre.  The 4* Majestic Roof Garden Hotel the perfect location to enjoy the best of the Tour down Under and South Australia, should you be looking to self cater the spacious, apartment style hotel accommodation of Mantra on Frome is perfect for a relaxed group stay.  For something a little different, and to cater for all guests we recommend the 3* charming Adabco Boutique Hotel in the city centre.

Majestic Roof Garden 4 Star Hotel Adelaide City Australia          Mantra on Frome 4 Star Serviced Apartments Adelaide City Centre South Australia          Adabco Boutique 3 Star Hotel Adelaide Australia

Am I fit enough for this trip?

Whether you have years of cycling experience or are just new to the bike, you will love cycling in Adelaide and for fans of international bike racing, this trip is for you!
Each cycling route during your Tour Down Under Bike Trip will be tailored specifically to your bike riding ability and experience, so you can have a challenging ride or a comfortable ride – the choice is yours.  We specialize with a ride choice each day making for the perfect cycling week.

Is this trip challenging enough for me?

We love a challenge as much as we love cycling. The team at Practice Bicycle has a history in professional bike racing and coaching in fact it was on the roads of the Adelaide hills where your host Bridget Evans took 3rd place at the Australian Championships in 2005.  So if it’s a challenge you are looking for, we can definitely find just the right rides for you during this pinnacle cycling week in Australia.

I have already booked accommodation - is the Rides Only package for me?

Absolutely! Look for our ‘Rides Only’ (19 – 24 January) package to get on this tour without any add-ons or accommodation for your perfect flexible stay cycling holiday.
Each day you will join the Practice Bicycle Team at a convenient central Adelaide meeting point.  Fully escorted and supported on superb rides to the best viewing locations to catch 6 stages of the Santos Tour Down Under live.
Whats Included:
6 days of superb fully guided tailored rides to a variety of ideal locations at our ‘unique live viewing spots’ for all the race action.
Ride support vehicle with ‘on the go’ mechanical assistance, sports drinks & nutritional bars for all bike rides.
Choice of ride distance including cafe / restaurant lunch stops facilitated on route each day.
Experienced #1 Cycling Guides – Paul Hughes & Bridget Evans.

What rides will I do?

We tailor the daily rides to the riders experience, including actual Tour Down Under stage routes, take a look at this years itinerary.
Practice Bicycle has developed 30+ rides in Adelaide for riders of all levels with over 10 years of cycling experience in South Australia!

What activities, tours will the Non Cycling Partner do whilst I'm on my bike?

As a Non Cycling guest and bike race fan you experience all the spectacle, excitement and action up close and personal of the bike race live each day. Our local support team will share with you culture and townships on route whilst catching up with the cycling group at our ‘unique live viewing spots’ and cafe / lunch stops together.

You may also wish to immerse yourself and discover the best of the city of Adelaide from it’s “cultural boulevard” and some of Australia’s most beautiful buildings to a visit to the home of Australia’s most famous wine – Penfolds Grange.
Alternatively, swim with dolphins in our clear clean waters, cuddle a koala or visit the most beautiful cricket ground in the world, Adelaide Oval.

For shopaholics, wander down Rundle Mall and indulge in some retail therapy. Be sure to pick up some treats from Haigh’s Chocolates or stock up on RM Williams merchandise from the legendary Outback outfitter.

Why do you choose to watch all stages of the Tour down Under bike race?

Our specialty bike race tour week to the TDU offers the opportunity of viewing the race on all 6 stages. With our proven formula ‘Unpack Once, Cycle Every Day’ we maximise your enjoyment of viewing the race action live, contrasting with your own variety of personally tailored rides and the opportunity of enough time to relax and experience your idyllic location for the week.  Should you be looking for a rest day from riding then the support vehicle is available to enjoy the day.

Can I have an extra night?

Absolutely, if you would like to tag on an additional extra night then select from our optional extras.
We highly recommend the additional night option with the final stage finishing late afternoon on Sunday which requires an after 7:oopm departure from Adelaide.  This also gives you more time to relax and enjoy Sunday evening in the wonderful city of Adelaide.

Why do you stay in one location, is there enough to see?

‘Unpack Once, Cycle Everyday’
The one location bike tour experience is the brain child of Bridget Evans (Owner/Operator).  On retiring from professional cycling it was the pure pleasure of cycling that evolved the proven Practice Bicycle philosophy of one location.  Including everything enjoyable and removing the less pleasurable is our goal of your perfect cycling holiday experience.

Packing and Unpacking each day was tiring, stressful and time consuming. With insufficient time to relax, enjoy and experience the place before it was time to move on again.
With a life spent discovering the very best locations to Practice Bicycle, including the discovery of endless ride options exploring in every direction  from the one perfect location.
Experience the very best cycling of your life when you Unpack Once, Cycle Everyday!

Your Tour Down Under bike tour package includes:

  • 6 nights 4* or 3* accommodation in the heart of the city of Adelaide, South Australia
  • Fabulous Buffet Breakfast each morning
  • Exciting and spectacular viewing of Santos Tour Down Under stages throughout the week from a variety of ideal locations at our ‘unique live viewing spots’
  • 6 days of superb guided, tailored rides, as well as full professional support for the challenging day of riding in the ‘Challenge Tour’ (if entered/required)
  • A choice of ride distance each day perfect for all abilities
  • #1 Cycling Guides – Paul Hughes & Bridget Evans
  • A fully equipped support team & vehicle, mechanical assistance, sports drinks & nutritional bars for all bike rides
  • Exclusive Welcome Dinner in an Adelaide renown restaurant of contemporary cuisine
  • Cafe / Restaurant lunch stops facilitated on route each day.
  • A Practice Bicycle Premium Cycling Jersey
  • Adelaide Airport pick-up/drop-off  & hotel transfer (Midday tour arrival & 6pm tour departure day)

Tour Down Under Tour Highlights:

  • City of Adelaide, South Australia the ideal location for summer down under
  • World Tour international professional racing cyclists in a relaxed environment up close & personal
  • January 2020, start your cycling year with a magical week of riding the most memorable kilometres in Australia
  • Taste Aussie Wine, some of the best in the world in the Barossa Valley, Adelaide Hills & McLaren Vale wine growing areas
  • Action packed rides along endless beaches, amongst eucalyptus shrouded hills and panoramic rows of leafy green vineyards
  • 1st class service, small group camaraderie a unique experience & lots of fun
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