The lead up week to the Tour de France is also the week that the race routes are released for the Tour Down Under.
I have been eargerly awaiting this week to come since I was accepted into the Beat Cancer Tour Team to see just how difficult the week will be, and how much suffering and pain I can expect!
So the stages are as follows:
Sunday 17th January:
Down Under Classic - 51kms
Well I don't think we will be riding as fast as the pro's on this stage so it should be a nice roll around the Adelaide Parklands.
As a first day, it will be a nice way for the legs to break into this week long cycling event with the course being flat and not too long.
Tuesday 19th January: Stage 1
Prospect to Lyndoch - 130.8kms
Well nothing like getting straight into it with the first King of the Mountain (KOM) at just 12.8kms on North East Rd, Lower Hermitage (Category 2)!! The climb isn't overly steep as such, moreso gradual, so it won't kill the legs (depending on how our peloton rides it), but being so early into the stage (and into the week), I would think (hoping) that it will be taken at a nice easy pace.
This stage is very pituresque heading through Chain of Ponds, Kersbrook, and into Williamstown and Lyndoch (A magnificent bakery here for those that are coming to watch!). We then do another three loops around Williamstown and Lyndoch.
Overall it is an undulating stage, but one that holds no major fears for me.
Wednesday 20th January: Stage 2
Unley to Stirling - 132kms
Today is a fairly tough day in the saddle!
We go up the freeway to Crafers via the Heysen Tunnels (unfortunately not up past Eagle on the Hill which is more scenic, although steeper), then onto Picadilly, and Carey Gully for the KOM (Category 2), which again is early on in the stage at the 13.8km mark! Again this isn't a climb that I fear, however being early on in the stage, as well as the previous ascent up to Crafers, will take it's toll come later in the stage with it being so undulating.
One we reach Stirling, we do 5 loops around to Heathfield, Mylor, Aldgate, and back to Stirling, which is up from 4 loops in previous years.
Thursday 21st January: Stage 3
Glenelg to Campbelltown - 139kms
One of the toughest days of the Tour! Starting in pituresque Glenelg, we first head up the Southern Expressway which is a long climb in itself, however not the KOM for this stage.
Once we reach Old Noarlunga, we head inland towards Clarendon, Mylor, Oakbank, and Lobethal. Once past Lobethal we turn onto Gorge Rd, which is an awesome road to ride along and one of my favourites, and in this direction it is slightly downhill...until we turn right onto Corkscrew Rd for the KOM (Category 1) at the 133km mark!!!.
For those that haven't ridden it, Corkscrew Rd is a b....h!!! At 2.5km in length Corkscrew Road isn't the longest climb in the region, but with an average grade of close to 9%, and the steepest at over 15%, it's certainly not to be sneezed at. The road (and therefore the climb) derives its name from a series of impressive and steep switchbacks near the top.
The climb starts once you go over the bridge and your legs are already tired by the time you reach the first switchback, but this is where the road really angles upwards!!
However, upon reaching the summit, we will be rewarded with the awesome downhill section along Montacute Rd for 6kms to the finish in Campbelltown.
Friday 22nd January: Stage 4
Norwood to Victor Harbour - 138kms
I am really looking forward to this day! We have a ride in Adelaide held in March called the Coast to Coast and it is such a great ride, and we will be covering some of the roads on this stage which should make for a great day!
After leaving Norwood we climb up Norton Summit Rd, which is a moderate climb of some 5.6km with an average gradient of almost 5%, another early climb which is just 4km from Norwood, but officially the 0km mark as the turn off to Norton Summit marks the end of the neutral zone and the start of the raqce itself. Once at the top we then have to tackle the steep Woods Hill Rd which gets up to 13% - what a tough start!!
However, once we reach Stirling, the profile shows a majority of descending for the next 70kms to Currency Creek, however the section from Goolwa to Port Elliot will more than likely be very windy and therefore quite tough, before turning right towards Crows Nest Rd for the KOM (Category 2) at the 118km mark (another KOM late into the stage!!) Once at the summit we will have a decent into the finish at Victor Harbour.
Today's stage is all about the wind!! Hopefully we will have a tailwind on the way to Victor, however quite often it could be a headwind all the way! Then we could encounter crosswinds on the Goolwa - Pt. Elliot section. Lets just pray that there is no wind at all!!
Saturday 23rd January: Stage 5
McLaren Vale to Willunga Hill - 151.5kms
This stage is called the Queen's stage of the Tour Down Under, and I am already having nighmares about it!! It is the longest stage at 151.5kms and with two ascents of Old Willunga Hill at the 129km mark and again at the 151km mark!!
Old Willunga Hill is 3km long with an average gradient of 7.6%. Now 3km might now sound like far, but get in your car and measure out 3km. Then imagine riding that distance at an average incline of 7.6%, and that's after you have ridden already for 129kms, then go and do it again! Know where my nightmares are coming from now!!
Today's route starts in the lovely wine region of McLaren Vale and sees us do 3 loops around Willunga, Aldinga Beach, Snapper Point, Port Willunga, Aldinga, and back to Willunga. On each of these loops is a short snappy climb at the 8km, 44km, and 83km marks. Once we come back to Willunga for the fourth time we will turn left and climb the hill, ride along Range Rd, descend along Pennys Hill Rd, and make our way back to Willunga for the second ascent, both ascents being KOM (Category 1)!!
The crowds up here are usually like a Tour de France stage with thousands of people lining the climg all the way up, which should make for an awesome experience!!
Sunday 24th January: Stage 6
Adelaide to Adelaide - 90km
Riding around the streets of Adelaide on closed roads will be such a great experience. Although a relatively short 90km (compared to the week we have just had), this is by no means just a 'ride in the park' type of day! We do a circuit course up and back King William Rd, along War Memorial Dve, up Montefiore Hill, along Pennington Tce, and back to King William Rd. This circuit is 4.5km long and we do it twenty times.
That means climbing Montefiore Hill 20 times!! On it's own this hill is relatively easy at 550m length and an average gradient of 4.4%. However doing it 20 times is going to take it's toll on already tired legs, expecially after yesterday's stage! There are KOM (Category 3) points on offer on at the 45km mark and again at the 67.5km mark.
However, despite the 20 climbs, I am out to enjoy this being our last day of this great experience of the 2016 Beat Cancer Tour!!
To Make A Donation To My 2016 Beat Cancer Tour click here:
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