Total KM's Ridden: 83.2
Today was a sleep in day, but at 4.30am everyone on the west side of the hotel was awoken by the reverse beeps of a truck that just didn't stop! They were taking down the huge Father Christmas at the Central Market and they wanted everyone to know about it!!
My day instantly approved when on the way to breakfast was Matthew Hayman and Luke Durbridge from Team Orica GreenEDGE. They were happy to have a quick chat and a photo which was great!
 |
| Myself with Luke Durbridge and Matthew Hayman |
It's obviously been a loooong time since I last stayed in a hotel as I was like a kid in a candy shop when I saw the huge breakfast spread - hot food, cereals, toast, museli, yogurts, fruit, pastries and more - I swear I'll be 10kg's heavier by this time next week!
We soon departed for our first team ride - an easy one down to Outer Harbour. A ride which I have done hundreds of times before, but never with a team car both in front of behind us, plus a police escort to stop traffic for us along the way! I positioned myself right up the front for the whole ride which waas just great! Lunch was at Stuart O'Grady's cafe Velo Precint where inside he has on display many of his old race numbers and a few bikes as well.
 |
| About To Start Our First Team Ride |
 |
| Lunch at Stuart O'Grady's Cafe Velo |
 |
| Some of Stuey's Old R ace Numbers |
We then rode back to the Tour Village, had a bit of spare time so I bought some essentials from the supermarket such as a toilet brush (don't ask)! I also managed to catch some zzzz's too! Back to the Village where we collected our bikes and rode to the the People's Choice Classic street circuit. We were allowed to do three laps and once again I positioned myself right at the very front which waas awesome! The people were clapping, cheeing, and blowing their horns for us right the way around which made for a great atmosphere!
 |
| The Team About To Ride On The People's Choice Classic Circuit |
A quick ride back to the hotel, an even quicker change, then we walked back to the Classic where we were wined and dined in the SA Events marquee positioned right on the finishe line. The women's race got underway where there were a few thrills and spills and was won by Annette Emonson. The men's race soon started and it is unbelievable the speed they go!! The race was won by Team Orica GreenEDGE's Caleb Ewen.
 |
| The Riders At The Start Line |
Back at the hotel and a lift ride with Geraint Thomas, Iam Stannard, and Peter Kennaugh from Team Sky plus Graeme Brown from Team Drapac!! Then a quick shower, wrote up this, then bed!!
Celebrity Viewings: I'm stopping this segment as it's just getting ridiculous!
Crap Pro's Have To Go Through: Hotel Bathrooms I'm sure the Hilton has had its bathrooms renovated since it was first built but it has become obvious that the renos were done by the comapny that submitted the cheapest tender! I have a ceiling shower rose but it is positioned too far down the shower, and the glass shower screen way too short ,that you end up with a tsunami of water on the floor. There is also a shower head, but even at its highest setting even a midget would be lucky to fit under it. Then when you step out of the shower into the sea of water (which doesn't drain as the floor tiling is crap and doesn't actually have the fall going any where near the drain), and into what has becone a steamroom/sauna as there is no exhaust fan!! Plus there was obviously no budget left for a toilet brush!!
