ABC Wednesdays - A for Armstrong

This is Lance Armstrong with his Radio Shack team at the head of the peleton in today's stage of the 2011 Your Down Under. Lance Armstrong has been quite a draw card here in Adelaide; this is his third appearance in our special event and is to be his final race in the International Cycling Union's ProTour.

Armstrong, seven-time Tour de France winner, is also a cancer survivor. His return to racing three years ago was partly motivated as a chance to promote his cancer research message. Here is a video recorded three years ago when he arrived in Adelaide in which he talks about the race, South Australia and cancer.

This is the start of the eighth round of the ABC Wednesday meme which was initiated by Denise Nesbitt. To find out more about ABC Wednesdays and see other participants' contributions click here.

ABC Wednesdays - Q for a Quiet Rural Ride

A quiet ride in the country - that is how I spent last Sunday. This shot was taken atop a hill; quite a steep uphill climb but followed by a rewarding quick descent.

We caught a train to Gawler (about 40 kms north of Adelaide), then rode to Lyndoch in the Barossa Valley along mainly unsealed roads and returned to Gawler via a minor sealed road; in all about 36kms.

The ABC Wednesday meme was initiated by Denise Nesbitt. To find out more about ABC Wednesdays and see other participants' contributions click here.

End of the 2010 Tour

The 2010 Tour Down Under finished yesterday with overall victory going to Germany's Andre Greipel. The event once again was hailed a resounding success, with thousands of spectators lining the routes to cheer on the riders; many of them travelling from interstate and overseas bringing many tourist dollars to the State.

Another spinoff was the increase in numbers of cyclists riding in and around the City; for fitness and leisure. On Friday 8,000 amateur cyclists participated in a personal challenge; the Mutual Community Challenge Tour.

I hope none of the riders finished up like this; one of the many decorations along the route!

The Tour Rolls On

Yesterday was the third day of the Tour Down Under; from Unley to Stirling. Mike Turtor, the race director gives the riders the red start flag about 10 kilometres from Unley, at the beginning of the Southern Expressway.

The start today from Norwood began in a similar fashion. Racing does not get underway in earnest until the riders are clear of the busy suburban streets.

Cruisers and choppers

You often see a small group of cyclists riding their distinctive bikes at Glenelg. On Saturday after Lance's Ride the members of the Francaise Des Jeaux team were fascinated by them and gave them a try; quite different to the sleek racing bicycles they usually ride!















Originating in the US, cruisers enjoyed popularity there during the 1930's to 1950's. They feature a sturdy steel frame, balloon tyres, single gears and an upright seating position. Lowriders and choppers, with their characteristic elongated frame, banana seat and tall upward-swept handle bars, appeared during the 1960's.

Chopper bicycles originated in California, where youths started customising their bicycles with elongated seats and 'ape-hanger' handle bars. The term chopper originated in the 1950's when post war veterans started 'chopping' their motor bikes to make them more distinctive.

Joe, pictured with his red cruiser, explained that replicas of the original cruisers, lowriders and choppers are available from stores here and overseas, but many of the bikes are further customised by their owners.

2010 Cancer Council Helpline Classic

Lance Armstrong was a real crowd pleaser when he lead a breakaway group in today's 51 kilometre street circuit preview race; a prelude to the Tour Down Under which starts on Tuesday.

In the final lap of the race Team Sky was being hotly challenged by Team Columbia, but it was New Zealander Greg Henderson from Team Sky who finally claimed victory.

Ride with Lance

A couple of days ago Lance Armstrong, in Adelaide for the 2010 Tour Down Under, gave an open invitation on Twitter to cyclists to join him on a training ride. Over 5000 people replied and even more turned up; my wife and I included. It was a buzz; lots of people lined the route and cheered us on.
















The event attracted not only a large contingent of the lycra-clad racing cyclists, but also many less serious riders of all ages and on all kinds of bikes.

2009 Ride of Silence

Yesterday I participated in the 2009 Ride of Silence.

The ride is held all over the world to HONOUR cyclists who have been injured or killed, RAISE AWARENESS of cyclists and to ask that we all SHARE THE ROAD.

This year's ride was from the centre of Adelaide and along Port Road to Semaphore. Conditions were conducive to cycling; slightly overcast but fine. We had green lights all the way; escorted by the SA Police.

New cycle path

Today I went cycling in the rain! We don't really complain about wet weather because we have had drought conditions for several years.

Our leader took us up the Veloway (along side our Southern Expressway) to Reynella and then back to the coast at Hallett Cove via this new off road cycle path. We then headed back to the Kingston Park for lunch. Most of the ride (about 30 kms) was in fact on purpose built cycle paths; so great not to be riding on public roads.

Small wheels

Every group has one; someone always out for a challenge! While the rest of us rode up the hills on bikes equipped with lots of gears, Eric rode his new aquisition direct from China - a single geared small folding bike designed for city commuting.

A steep climb

Today I had a challenging bicycle ride; about 40 kilometres in the ranges near McLaren Vale where I had spent the weekend with my cycling group. Riding up this hill was certainly hard work, but there was a reward; a great view!

A wet rural ride

Today I went on a bike ride from McLaren Vale along a rail trail to Willunga. While we were at Willunga there was a deluge. The rain eased and we headed back to McLaren Vale only to be met with another heavy shower. Fortunately we were able to shelter along the way until the rain eased again.

Along the rail trail shelters like these have been erected on the sites of former railway sidings.

Theme day: Paths and Passages

I love cycling and I especially like it away from the traffic on cycle paths like this; not only is it more peaceful it is safer too. Fortunately Adelaide has a growing number of cycle paths and marked routes on side roads.

The ever present dangers of cycling on main roads hit home last week with a report of a cyclist being hit and killed by a drunk driver; sadly he was a friend and past member of my cycling group.

This photo was taken several years ago in September in a southern suburb of Adelaide. I daresay it would look slightly different today; the trees would have grown and at present the grass would have dried off from our sweltering summer heat.

This month's City Daily Photos' theme day topic is Paths and Passages; Click here to view thumbnails for all participants

2009 Tour Down Under Finale

The last race in this year's Tour Down Under was run today in glorious weather; an 18 lap 4.5 kilometre circuit in the streets of Adelaide City. The overall winner for the Tour was Alan Bates, an Australian who rides for Quickstep. An estimated 144,000 spectators were there to see him claim victory.

The stage winner was Italian Francesco Chicchia a rider in the Liquigas team.

TDU bikes

Each afternoon after the race the teams return to City. At the Tour Down Under Village in Victoria Square the public can look at the bikes, the mechanics at work and various other displays and merchandise.

Each day the bikes are washed and the mechanics give them a thorough check, clean and relubricate the running gear.

This year's Tour Down Under was attended by record crowds; many first timers coming to see the seven time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong. This is a photo of his bicycle.

Waiting for the moment

Poised ready to capture the winner of the Cancer Council Classic

Now for the media scoop; these are but a few of the 350 or so media professionals covering the 2009 Tour Down Under.


We get limited television coverage of the Tour Down Under here; about 30 minutes of highlights on SBS, a free to air channel. In the US cable channel Versus is telecasting the event live. I would be interested as to what coverage you get; please leave a comment.

Classic winners

What a thrill! UniSA's debutante rider, 19 year old local lad, Jack Bobridge won the first two sprints in last night's 51km race.

Aussie favourite Robbie McEwin sprinted home at the end to claim victory in the race, much to the delight of the home crowd. He is racing with Katusha, the first ever Russian Pro Tour Team.

Cancer Council Classic

The man of the moment; tonight at Adelaide's Tour Down Under prelude event saw Lance Armstrong's first professional road race in nearly four years. A record crowd of 138,000 people were there to witness the occasion. One of Lance's objectives in returning to racing is to raise cancer awareness.

I was lucky to be in a box seat, right at the start/finish line; my wife works for UniSA and we had tickets to their corporate area.

Koala

This was not taken at the zoo; on my bicycle ride last Sunday I spotted this koala in a tree at the side of the road. This is one of the reasons I like bike riding; you see much more than when driving and you can stop pretty much anywhere to take a photo.

The Corkscrew

This is the reward for riding UP hills - the descent! The Corkscrew is a very windy road that links Montacute Road and Gorge Road.