Santos Tour Down Under Stage Two

Santos Tour Down Under Stage Two

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Posted 2014-12-06 by Steve Hudsonfollow

Wed 21 Jan 2015 - Mon 26 Jan 2015

[SECTION]Stage Two[/SECTION]

After the first stage through the Barossa, today's Stage Two takes riders through past the wineries and orchards in the Adelaide Hills. Starting at Unley, the ride does a grand tour of the major Adelaide Hills roads before finishing in Stirling.



To help everybody through the TDU, and in particular the spectators, visitors, riders, cyclists, foodies and anyone in between, this guide to surviving this stage of the Santos Tour Down Under is offered.

[SECTION]The Race for Foodies[/SECTION]

Today's stage is something akin to a bakery bash with plenty of fine bakehouses en-route. Starting from the Hyde Park Bakery , this stage makes its way past the Belair Bakery, Upper Sturt General Store , Crafers Gourmet Deli, Balhannah Bakery, Olive Branch Café, Ottos Bakery , The German Cake Shop , Aldgate Bakery, Lobethal Bakery and [LINK=http://www.weekendnotes.com/millies-bakery/]Millies Bakery.



[/LINK][SECTION]The Race for Spectators[/SECTION]

A predominantly hilly stage through the Adelaide Hills makes for good rider viewing, with much of it under the shade of some majestic gum trees. Some of the best spots for good rider views include :

  • Windy Point
  • Upper Sturt Road
  • Basket Range near the KOM
  • Hahndorf near the Drinks Station (grab yourself a bottle as riders discard theirs before and after the station)
  • Aldgate roundabout



  • [SECTION]Before The Race[/SECTION]

    Today's options for activities before the race centre on King William Road, Unley. The Unley Gourmet Gala event is on Tuesday night until late, and the traditional pre-race activities will occur on King William Road as the Subaru Tour Parade and riders ready themselves for the stage. Depending upon your staying power, you may be able to combine both events in to one ?



    [SECTION]Getting There[/SECTION]

    The circuitous nature of this stage means that it is possible to watch the start of the ride, and then dawdle up the hill to the finish at Stirling. For cyclists, the route that the Tour riders take is the most scenic past Windy Point and Upper Sturt, albeit it has some ups and downs. For those looking for the more direct route in order to get to their favourite bakehouse quicker, then the Crafers Bikeway is the way to go.



    For drivers, it is possible to watch the start, and then drive to Hahndorf to see the riders come and go, before driving through to Aldgate / Stirling and seeing the riders complete the better part of three laps around Stirling. Seeing riders 6 times in one day is a rarity in long distance cycling events.

    [SECTION]Notes for Riders[/SECTION]

    Today's stage takes riders past some of the best fruit producing areas in the Adelaide Hills. My suggestions for riders today are :

  • Put some panniers on your bike, if you are intending on grabbing a few apples, cherries , pears and grapes as you ride past
  • Windy Point is not an excuse for you to overload on baked beans the night before
  • Beerenberg is not a new a burger outlet selling beers
  • The Aldgate roundabout is a traffic slowing device - it is not an obstacle that want-to-be BMX riders use as a hurdle to jump
  • Riding back to Victoria Square after the race is ok, and is a lot safer on the Crafers Bikeway



  • [SECTION]After The Race[/SECTION]

    If you are a cyclist then you are in for a special treat on today's stage. The majority of riders need to warm down after their ride, and thus they head off from Stirling back via the Crafers Bikeway to the City. So why not join them on this short ride, have a chat to them, and see how the professionals ride one of our better known bikeways.



    After that, it is Wednesday, and we are in Adelaide, and it is midway through the Tour Down Under event, so after a quick visit to the Tour Village and Bike Expo it looks like a rest night is in order in readiness for a big back end of the week.

    #adelaide_city
    #adelaide_hills
    #aldgate
    #balhannah
    #belair
    #crafers
    #cycling
    #fleurieu_peninsula
    #free
    #fun_things_to_do
    #greater_adelaide
    #hahndorf
    #mylor
    #outdoor
    #piccadilly
    #sport
    #stirling
    #things_to_see
    #tourist_attractions
    #unley
    #upper_sturt
    #january
    !date 21/01/2015 -- 26/01/2015
    %wnadelaide
    217956 - 2023-06-16 07:39:49

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