Itinerary

Day 1 Sunday 17th January
Airport pick up 10am in the Topbike van or 11 am Medina Grand Adelaide Treasury. Arrive for a welcome lunch in the botanical gardens of our accommodation for the next 4 nights - the very refined old world charm of Mt Lofty House in the Adelaide Hills. We will use today to get to know the Adelaide hills by bike and preview some of Friday’s Mutual Community Challenge Stage on the Spectacular Gorge rd, maybe returning up the notorious ‘Cork Screw’ climb.

Later we shall drive into Adelaide central to view the first stage the of the 2010 Tour Down Under, the Adelaide street circuit Criterium. Robbie Mc Ewen has taken this stage in 2004,05,06 and 09. Will he do it again in 2010?

Tonight we shall dine in town, at one of the many sumptuous restaurants that Adelaide has now become famous for, maybe sip on a Barossa or perhaps some a Mc Laren Vale wine.

Planned ride distance about 60 km*

Day 2 Monday 18th January
After the exhilaration of last night, the pros take a rest day but the Topbike Crew will head North from the Adelaide hills 140 kms to the Clare Valley wine region. Once there we shall make the most of the region with a picnic lunch and wine tasting in the afternoon. Match your palette to those of the local winemakers as they describe the process of production from vine to table. Dinner tonight will be in the Clare Valley and then fall asleep in the Topbike Van which will take you home back to Mt Lofty House.

Planned ride distance about 140km*

Day 3 Tuesday 19th January
Today the Pros ride from Norwood to Mawson Lakes. We will have a chance to compare our times to them as we take on the 140 K course in the morning before them. We will stay in Mawson Lakes to watch the finish – Sprint or a breakaway? Don’t worry about driving home as the Topbike van will be there to fall into as we return to Mt Lofty for Dinner in House tonight.

Planned ride distance about 140 km*

Day 4 Wednesday 20th January
The race is right near us today as the pros ride 145 km from Handorf to Stirling. As they loop around Stirling 4 times it creates lots of viewing and riding opportunities within a short ride from our accommodation. Some of you might chose to ride to the race start then short cut to the Stirling circuit riding laps behind and infront of the pros, changing your view every lap. Others might prefer to head to the Fox Creek GPM and take a possy. We will return for our last night at Mt Lofty with Dinner in house again.

Planned ride distance minimum 20km - maximum as long as you wish*

Day 5 Thursday 21st January
Today the pros move further south the stage going from the seaside region of Unley to the coastal town of Victor Harbour. Our legs will get a bit of a rest in preparation of tomorrow’s Mutual Challenge. We shall pack up bags up and take an easy ride into central Adelaide where we will spend the next four nights at the Medina Grand Adelaide Treasury Hotel, just opposite the Tour Village and the Hilton. In the early evening we shall visit the tour village and tonight dine in house in the century old dining rooms of the Old Treasury

Planned ride distance minimum 20 km - maximum as long as you wish*

Day 6 Friday 22nd January
It’s an early start as we head to Burnside for the Mutual Community Challenge Ride. Grab a wheel and get sucked up Gorge Road by 6000 other riders 140 km to Angaston. The Topbike Van will be waiting for you, and we shall stay around to watch the pros cross the same finish line as you did.
Dinner tonight will again be in-house in the Old Treasury.

Planned ride distance 3 options 155km, 97 km or 32 km

Day 7 Saturday 23rd January
We will use the morning to ride the peace and quiet of Adelaide’s ‘Veloway’, that takes us right to Snapper point for Stage 5 sign on. After that we cut the course across to the famous Willunga hill. Last year Robbie Mc Ewen asked Allan Davis if he could really believe it was Australia on that climb as the crowd was so wild. There will be plenty of opportunities for viewing on the hill as the pros do 2 circuits up it. At the end of the day, those who are keen can hop back on the veloway into town. The rest of us will take the Topbike Van home and make ourselves beautiful for tonight’s ‘Legends Dinner’ as we dine in style with the whos who of Cycling.

Planned ride distance about 70 – 80ks (140 if return)*

Day 8 Sunday 24th January
Our last day of riding and most of you will probably want to head up to the Adelaide hills again for one last time. There is no rush as the final stage (6) commences in the afternoon on the streets of Adelaide. Will Allan Davis take out the Tour Down Under again and hence kick his year off leading the Pro Tour?

We shall dine out at a local restaurant and have a last supper together, and reminisce about a great week’s riding, eating and drinking, some new friends and lots of sore legs!
Planned ride distance 80 – 100 ks*

Day 9 Monday 25th January
Pack up, say goodbye to Tour Down Under and drop off at Adelaide airport.

TOPBIKE'S TOUR DOWN UNDER 2010 PACKAGE INCLUDES

• 8 nights luxury accommodation in two locations, 4 nights in the beautiful Mt Lofty House - Delux rooms twin share (Adelaide hills) and 4 nights centrally located Medina Grand Adelaide Treasury (premier apartments twin share) just opposite the Hilton)
• ALL breakfasts and dinners
• A welcome lunch
• Tickets to Legends dinner
• Entry to the Community Challenge Ride
• Full back up vehicle and mechanical support on every ride
• Side trip to the Clare Valley
• An ‘afternoon with a winemaker’ – wine tasting
• Airport transfers in the Topbike Van
• A six piece Topbike cycle clothing Kit: 2 bib and brace nicks, 2 short sleeve jerseys, 1 long sleeve jersey, 1 winter thermal top
• Energy bars and carbohydrate drink powder
• Experienced cycling guides with local knowledge
• Detailed maps of all ride routes
• Airport Transfers in the Topbike Van
• Tips, coaching if requested
• Visit to tour village
• Non cyclists also catered for
• All particular dietary requests are catered for, just let us know

Cost: $5990 AUD (includes GST)

Cost is per person in AUD based on twin share. If you are single you will be paired to room with a person of the same sex.

* Ride distances are approximate and Topbike can cater for all ride abilities. If you want to do more or less than scheduled, an alternate ride will be possible.