2011 Junior trip to the Tour Down under

[Mick Hull]

Folks
I am gathering interest from juniors and parents for a club trip to the Tour Down Under for Jan 2011.  I have yet to getting pricing but we will keep it as low as possible. Con Yallouris has found a caravan park with cabins about 7km from town so we will start building a trip.

Just let me know and we will start the process.


Regards
Mick

[Darryl]

interested but is there a POOL Con? Gets hot in SA in January.

[WHITE]

interested but is there a POOL Con? Gets hot in SA in January.

45 DEG is not hot........... heh heh.

[Matt]

I got back yesterday from TDU and I posted something earlier but it didn't seem to get a run.

I did the 111km ride for the community challenge from Woodside to Goolwa.  The first 30ks were great as they were mostly downhill but the big challenge came past the halfway mark which, athough flat was extremley hot and into a big nose-wind.  Some of the younger riders were really suffering in the conditions and drink stops weren't really adequate so I would recommend special precautions if we are to take the juniors such as extra bidons carried by the older songieurs.  Traffic became an issue too.  It was okay when our group had settled down but at halfway the semi-pros from the 160k ride caught us and the leaders were flying.  We then caught up with the 30km mob who were mostly once-a-yearers on mountain bikes who were weaving all over the road in the wind.  Throw in cars and trucks with the wind a three very different types of riders and it gets a bit hairy.  Don't get me wrong, it was a great experience - the "sprint" up the final race was a special moment - its just we'd have to impress some caution on the juniors.

I went to the Stirling stage which was terrific because they did three laps with an uphill sprint finish and it was so easy to get a good possie for the race and the presentation.  Adelaide is alive with bikes (and the locals respected them!) and about 40% of the crowds rode to the events.  The "village" was a little dissappointing - I suppose watching someone clean a bike is thrilling for the afficianados but it didn't grab me.  I really wanted to buy a Euskatel, Rabobank or Garmin helmet to go with our club colors but none of the Eurpoean teams had their new gear to sell yet.

I'd recommend staying up in the Hills if you could find somewhere cheap.  From there you can ride to most stages and participate in the Challenge.  There's less traffic for bunch rides too.

The other standout event (alas I missed the Willunga stage where Cadell attacked) was the dinner, which at $250 will be a bit much for most but it was a great night.  Armstrong was outstanding, Cadell was Cadell (an enigma) but the real stars were Phil Ligget and Paul Sherwin.  Every time Cadell's Mendrisio triumph got a mention (which was often), the crowd cheered and clapped.

My young spies down there told me that many of the riders threw themselves into the festivities wholehearedly - which probably explains why the races started pretty late!  One of the nice things was that most of the riders rode back to their hotel (the Hilton) from the Adelaide Hill stages so there you could be - riding home and having a chat with Andre Griepel!

I can only see this event getting bigger and my tip is that one day it will start in Geelong and go to Adelaide via the Great Ocean Road and the Coonawarra.

Matt

[Alex y]

Hi guys, yes there is a pool at the caravan park. If anyone wants anymore info just ask my dad Con. This caravan park is ideal for people who want to go to the TDU only a 7 km easy ride into the tour village. Wish I was going again!
Have fun!

[Darryl]

Wish I was going again!

Why wouldn't you be going again Al?

[Chicken]

Wish I was going again!

Why wouldn't you be going again Al?

TV show commitments ?

[Alex y]

Wish I was going again!

Why wouldn't you be going again Al?

Dad said that two years in a row is enough and no I'm not in any TV commitments............yet.....lol

[Mick Hull]

TDU dates have just been annouced 16th - 23rd Jan 2010.

We need to start planning and fundraising. 

I am going to suggest a small committee forms to get this going any volunteers.

Regards
Mick