2013 Tour Down Under

[Arsene Wenger]

Well What a week. I took the whole week off work. Rode over 700kms and saw every stage bar Willunga stage.

I think every stage this year was great and it is very hard to separate them as they all have different parts which i really enjoyed.

Some of my favourite parts included:

• Riding with Team Blanco on the Thursday before the Tour (see photo and the eventual winner at the back)

• Stage 1 Lobethal - some of the downhill parts are great (especially into the finish) and checkers hill is short but epic. Took a sweet shot of Jack Bobridge smashing himself to the top. also another pic showing how steep checkers is (never looks as steep in pics - but checkers hits 23% at its steepest)

• Stage 2 - Corkscrew was great. Had a super feel up on the climb. I thought they would go faster up, but some pretty good pics below of the view from towards the top of the climb and then of Geraint Thomas putting himself through the ringer to get to the top first.

• Stage 3 - Up the Old Freeway (where many a punter in adelaide rides) was cool and the Stirling Stage was great as always. So many people around a beautiful part of South Australia.

• Stage 4 - Didnt do the Bupa ride but did ride out to Mt Pleasant to see Gilbert and Howson in a break and then Graham Brown smash himself to collect some points (pic below) - clocked up 165 kms myself this day.

• Stage 5 - opted to watch on TV. Was magnificent viewing. Gerro was immense.
• Stage 6 - awesome final stage. Was at the adelaide uni Boat club for a lunch - sinking beers and watching them fly by with live tv feed as well.

I would encourage any cycling fan to get over here next year. It is simply sensational and easy to get to and a bloody good week of riding (esp if you are training for 3 peaks like me).

As for improvements, i thought of a TT, but apparently thats no chance given TT bikes are not ready this early in the year.

So depressed to be back at work.

 

[RussellEbertHandball]

Great report Arsene

 

[Bond.ShaneBond]

Superb stuff, thanks very much.

 

[monty1104]

Cheers, awesome. Out of curiosity, what type of camera were you using?

 

[Arsene Wenger]

Cheers, awesome. Out of curiosity, what type of camera were you using?

Mate - i am not photographer. They are taken with the trusty old i phone.

 

[monty1104]

Mate - i am not photographer. They are taken with the trusty old i phone.

Geez, the ol camera phone has come a long way

 

[Freakie]

Great photos!

 

[Saladin sucks]

I'm planning to attend Tour Downunder 2014 - the dates and most stages were announced this week.

I am planning to drive from Vic with my campervan and spend the week, watching stages and a bit of regional tourism. Will probably avoid parts of stages in built up City Centre. I might bring my bike but just as transport to move around during day, I don't want to do any long rides.

I plan to stay in Caravan parks to get power to recharge everything.

I haven't attended a cycle race before and I am looking for any tips from people who have been to TDU before. Is my plan feasible? Are there any suggestions for what to do / not to do?

 

[Freakie]

I'm planning to attend Tour Downunder 2014 - the dates and most stages were announced this week.

I am planning to drive from Vic with my campervan and spend the week, watching stages and a bit of regional tourism. Will probably avoid parts of stages in built up City Centre. I might bring my bike but just as transport to move around during day, I don't want to do any long rides.

I plan to stay in Caravan parks to get power to recharge everything.

I haven't attended a cycle race before and I am looking for any tips from people who have been to TDU before. Is my plan feasible? Are there any suggestions for what to do / not to do?

I haven't driven there but I have flown over and hired a car. Planning is key, look at the stages and where you want to see the action, then work out the quickest route from A to B avoiding the road closures. Take heaps of sunscreen as you'll be out in the hot sun for hours on end.

 

[Saladin sucks]

I haven't driven there but I have flown over and hired a car. Planning is key, look at the stages and where you want to see the action, then work out the quickest route from A to B avoiding the road closures. Take heaps of sunscreen as you'll be out in the hot sun for hours on end.

Thanks Freakie ... yes planning will be key, that's why I'm starting now.

I'm interested in how close you could get your car, or how far you had to walk to get to good viewing spots. Also is there any advantage in taking a bike, or are these equally restricted by road closures.

Ideally I would like to get my camper by the side of the road somewhere for each stage, then I will have a fridge and food, a tailgate awning for shelter, and access to a computer and radio to see what is going on in the stage - should make the hours I am locked in a bit more pleasant.

 

[Freakie]

We usually had to park about 1km away and then walk to where we wanted to watch. Willunga hill had us walking about 3-4km as we went about 1/2 way up the climb. It all depends on how early you get to your preferred viewing spot. I've seen plenty of camper vans on the side of the road next to the wineries with a great party atmosphere.

As for bikes the two times I've been over it looks pretty easy to ride to most spots as they have great cycle paths and there is always a road that will get you where you need to go.

 

[Milang_Panthers]

The best spots to watch for me were on my front verandah (came right past my house)
But apart from that I'd say the parts of the stages that it comes through twice are pretty good.

 

[Arsene Wenger]

Plan ahead as much as you can.

Route has been released and first stage is solely in the barossa so that will be a good one. Friday finishes in Victor Harbour and Saturday is Willunga stage. These places are not far apart so you could head down to Victor on Thurs night - watch them finish there then head to Willunga the following day.

Its handy having a bike as you can obviously get closer to the action without having to get there hours earlier (or having to walk). Also it allows you to see a start and potential finish in the same day.