Tour Down Under Flying Fosters Tour 2012 Stage 5

So another Flying Fosters Tour is complete. The Tour Down Under 2012 will go down as another fine week of riding through the streets of Adelaide and regional SA.

The stage to Willunga Hill is easliy the best stage to watch due to the number of times you see the race go past as well as the pain and slower speed as they climb Willunga Hill. This year with the summit finish would mean so much more pain to be seen on their faces.

We set out on our ride up Old Norton Summit Rd today having taken Norton Summit 2 days earlier. The pace was always going to be on, Manly taking the points on this one.

Not content with Norton, we changed course to summit Mt Lofty and take some of the most scenic roads we have encountered this week on the way to Crafters and McLaren Vale.

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Heat vs Chomps = Big Chomp.

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Some great little roads out the back of Stirling

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The wide openness just before we got to McLaren Vale

We stopped about 500m before the old finish in Willunga to see the peleton go by.

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The boys getting a view of the TDU close-up.

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Specialized had a little Italian restaurant booked on the base of the climb for their dealers at the TDU. Damo and I made use of it for some much neede R&R and to catch up with our colleagues. Thanks Specialized Australia for your hospitality.

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Damo at the base of the climb.

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Stand up sleeping on Willunga Hill. This guy spent 30mins like this.

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My Favourite picture of the TDU. You wouldn't pick what year this was taken in other than by the Cars at the front of pic.

We had a great ride home to Adelaide starting with the high speed descent down the Willunga Rd.

The brakes were used a little this descent and I only managed to hit 98kph, luckily getting a rear tyre blowout at the base of the descent at about 40kph. Whilst changing my tube I thought of the possibilities had it occurred earlier. Damn....that was close.

 

The week had taken its toll on my unprepared body and I couldn't keep up with the guys on the trip home.

The 5 days riding saw me accumulate 750kms and 9001m vertical climbing. Pretty drastic change to the 250kms a wekk and maybe 1000m I would do in a regular week back here in Melbourne

We all had an awesome week on and off the bikes, such a diverse group of guys with a common love of cycling bringing us together for a few days every year. Easily the week I look forward to most in my year. Thanks to everyone that had any input into the week. I am hesitant to try and name you all as I know I will forget someone. So thanks to you all!

See everyone in 360 days in 2013.... Can't wait.