10 Day 2010 World Championships Cycling Tour

TRIP DETAILS:
Group size: Maximum 20 people
Duration: 10 days (9 nights)
Dates: Sunday 26 September to Tuesday 5 October, 2010
Start: Melbourne Finish: Melbourne
Accommodation: 4 star hotels in Melbourne, 3 star heritage hotel in Queenscliff.
Cost: AUD$4,490.00 – Single Supplement AUD$1200.00
Deposit: AUD$1000

Reserve Your Trip Now
Inclusions

Optional Extras:
-Pre or post tour accommodation to extend your stay
-Travel Insurance (with a 15% Discount )
Email us for details

Who is this trip for?
The trip is geared to suit anyone with an interest in cycling who wants the unique experience of seeing the Road World Championships – Down Under! We cater for cyclists of all abilities by providing riding options each day. To enjoy our trips you don’t need to be an athlete, but do need to be someone who cycles regularly and in good health. Each day we’ll have options for rides to suit people of who feel like a challenge, or an easy day enjoying the scenery. As with all of our tours you’ll be guided by our expert team of Australian ride leaders, drivers and guides and enjoy our exclusive VIP hospitality area for the final 2 days of the event.

This trip will also cater for people who do not ride bikes with options available each day to take part in the same sightseeing and race viewing activities that will be enjoyed by the cyclists.

Download the 10 Day 2010 World Champs  Cycling Tour itinerary here

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1 Sunday 26 September, 2010
Our tour starts today with a transfer from Melbourne airport to our 4 star hotel in the inner suburb of Richmond. On arrival at the hotel we’ll be able to assist you to get your bike assembled before heading off on a ride with a couple of options. Our hotel is situated next to the Yarra cycle path so we’ll ride along the river and stretch our legs with a ride through the bushland setting of the Studley Park Boulevard, one of Melbourne’s most popular training roads. If you’d like to head into the city and explore it’s a quick trip along the bike path or by tram to the city centre. Tonight we welcome you to Melbourne in style with a special suprise function followed by dinner at our hotel.
Overnight: Richmond, Melbourne
Meals: Dinner

Day 2 Monday, 27 September 2010
A relaxed start to today with a leisurely ride following the coast down to Sorrento, where we’ll catch the ferry across the bay to our home for the next 4 nights in historic Queenscliff. It’s a mostly flat ride of about 95kms, with the option of detour up to the summit of Arthurs Seat for views over Port Phillip Bay for those that enjoy a short but steep climb. This is the route that is used for one of the world’s largest one day sporting rides, the 210km Around the Bay in a Day, that attracts over 10,000 cycle mad locals each year.

We’ll stop for lunch in one of Sorrento’s many cafe’s before jumping on the ferry for the short trip to Queenscliff. Our hotel for the next 4 nights is a Victorian era seaside hotel dating back to the boom time of Victoria’s gold rush in the 1860’s, full of the character of the period. We will dine tonight in the hotel’s grand dining room, the former ballroom, and experience some of the delicous modern food that the hotel is known for.
Overnight: Queenscliff
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner.

Day 3 Tuesday, 28 September 2010
This morning we’ll head off on a ride on one of the most beautiful stretches of coast in the world, the Great Ocean Road. We’ll head off early and drive to the small town of Apollo Bay where we will start our 90 km ride along the undulating rugged Victorian coastline. We’ll pass through the towns or Lorne and Anglesea stopping for lunch at one of the many cafe’s that attract big crowds from the city on the weekends. Our ride will finsh in the surf capital of Australia, Torquay, where we’ll jump on the bus and head back to Queenscliff. Those not wanting to ride the entire 90km can choose a shorter route in Wye River or Lorne, and if you fancy a longer ride then you can ride back to Queenscliff for a total of 125kms. Tonight you can take a stroll around the quiet streets of Queenscliff, a typical Australian town of the Victorian era, and dine in one of the local restaurants.
Overnight: Queenscliff
Meals: Breakfast

Day 4 Wednesday, 29 September 2010
The 2010 UCI Road Cycling World Championships kicks off today with the Men’s under 23 and Women’s elite time trial in nearby Geelong. We will ride from the hotel to Geelong with the option of 45 or 65km via the Bellarine Peninsula, training ground for Cadel Evans when he is home for the Australian summer. We’ll arrive in time to see the younger male riders battling up the hills around the centre of the course as they compete against the clock for the world title, as well as the women who will take to the roads this afternoon. In 2009 the young Australian rider Jack Bobridge won the U23 mens time trial, and as he’s still only 21 he’ll be back for more in 2010. After the last rider’s times are in and the winners jerseys presented we’ll head back in the comfort of the bus to our hotel in Queencliff. Tonight it’s back to another fine meal in the hotel’s restaurant.

Overnight: Queenscliff
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 5 Thursday, 30 September 2010
Today it’s the turn of the elite men to compete in the race against the clock and the rainbow jersey for the fastest time trialist in the world. Australia has had great success in the past with this event with Michael Rogers winning the title on three occasions, in 2003, 2004 and 2005. Which country will have the honour of a win in 2010? The city streets of Geelong will be filled with spectators but it’s always possible to get a good view of the aero helmeted supermen of cycling over this 45km course.

As the event won’t start until early this afternoon we will head off after breakfast and ride into Geelong where we will do a lap of the time trial / road race circuit before the riders from the different countries take their turn. Time trials are a great place to spot your favourite rider, so don’t forget to bring along your camera, autograph book and national flag.

After we’ve had our lap and looked around the start area we will head off to an exclusive Bikestyle function at a restaurant located in parklands on the Barwon river where we will enjoy a private lunch in these quiet and scenic surroundings. From the verandah of the restaurant you’ll be able to see the riders across the river as they ride up the hill midway through the course, while seeing the action closer up on our large screen television – the best way to keep up with the action of a time trial. From the restaurant it’s a short ride or walk along the riverfront bikepath to the race route to see the riders at a couple of points on the course. This is the first of our exclusive Bikestyle functions and a great way to see the race in style!

Overnight: Queenscliff
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 6 Friday, 1 October 2010
The Under 23 mens road race this afternoon is 153km in length, consisting of multiple laps of a circuit around the city of Geelong. Although not a mountainous route there are a few small climbs on the circuit with gradients up to 13% making for good viewing. As we haven’t tackled any hills for a few days however we’ll also head for the hills and this morning will drive to Lorne where we’ll tackle an 85km ride through the lush rainforest of the Otway ranges with amazing views to the sea below. Once over the top it’s a fast downhill to the farming country and flat quiet roads all the way to Geelong. Along the way the Bikestyle team will be on hand with a tasty lunch and cold drinks so you’ll be able to keep pedalling right through to Geelong where we will see the U23 Mens road race.

Tonight we head to the small seaside town of Barwon Heads, just down the road from Queenscliff, for a meal that is perfect for an international event like the World Championships. We’ll feast on Italian delicacies, accompanied by beer from Belgium and some local Australian wines.

Overnight: Queenscliff
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7 Saturday, 2 October 2010
Today is dedicated to the Womens Road Race, run over the Geelong city circuit for a total of 127kms. The first few laps will no doubt see the riders stick closely together, but as the afternoon wears on there is bound to be some attacking on one of the short sharp climbs along the Barwon and the field will thin out. So we can make sure we catch all the action of today’s race we’ll take an early morning ride of about 40kms around the peninsula before heading off to Geelong.

This afternoon you will enjoy an exclusive to Bikestyle Tours, a fully catered afternoon at an historic National Trust property, The Heights, situated right on the race route at the top of the final and steepest climb on the route. You’ll be pampered today with a delicous food, a selection of Australian wines and other drinks, plus out large screen tv’s so you don’t miss out on any of the action. From here you will be able to spend the afternoon in comfort and see the race from our sheltered viewing platform, of alternatively  pedal or walk to various points on the race route.

After the race is finished and the winner is known we’ll head off to Melbourne where we’ll spend the final few nights at a centrally located 4 star hotel.  Tonight is free to eat at one of the many restaurants close to the hotel along the Yarra River.

See Bikestyle Tours VIP Hospitality Area

Overnight: Melbourne
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 8 Sunday, 3 October 2010
The final day of the 2010 UCI Road Cycling World Championships sees the main event, the Elite Mens Road Race start from Melbourne’s Federation Square this morning. The competing cyclists will ride a flat and open course from Melbourne to Geelong of 80km before tackling the multiple laps of the roughly 18km circuit in Geelong for a total distance of 260km. This morning after breakfast we’ll walk the short distance down to Federation Square where we’ll witness the riders as they arrive for the start of main event, the men’s road race. Expect big crowds this morning at the start who’ve come to catch a glimpse of their favourite riders.

After the race has departed the city we will travel to Geelong to see the remainder of the race live,  arriving in time to catch the peleton as they make their 11 laps past our viewing platform on the Queens Rd hill. Again you will enjoy the exclusive Bikestyle function on the race route at The Heights, with another afternoon seeing the race in comfort. You can take your bike with you of course so you will be able to pedal around and see the race from a few vantage points if you wish. Once the 2010 World Champion has been presented with the rainbow jerseywe will head back to Melbourne where the night is free.

See Bikestyle Tours VIP Hospitality Area

Overnight:  Melbourne
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 9 Monday, 4 October 2010
The World Championships are over for another year, but we’ve still got a few surprises in store. Today we jump on the bikes to enjoy a day in the Australian bush on one of our favourite rides. Our roughly 70km ride will start at the base of the Dandenong Ranges, a beautiful area of towering eucalypts and fern gullies close to the city. A gentle climb takes us to Sassafras, then on to our highest point in Olinda followed by an exhilarating descent back down to the foothills. From here it’s undulating roads through orchards, vineyards and forests to the Yarra Valley where we will visit a local winery for an unforgettable farewell meal to our tour. After we’ve ate and drank our fill it’s back in the bus to the city where the rest of the day is free for you to explore.

Overnight: Melbourne
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 10 Tuesday, 5 October 2010
Sadly our tour ends today. For those people not staying on in Melbourne we will provide transfers today to Melbourne airport for your flight home.

Meals: Breakfast

Inclusions
-Transport throughout for you and your bike by modern coach or minibus
-Services of our experienced local tour guides
-Exclusive Bikestyle VIP functions for womens and mens road race days at the best position on the race route.
-9 nights accommodation in 4 star and 3 star hotels
-Buffet breakfast daily
-3 course evening meals on 4 nights
-Restaurant, catered and picnic lunches on 5 days
-Airport transfers on first and last day of tour.
-Bikestyle mechanical assistance
-Sightseeing as listed
-Bikestyle cycling jersey, musette and cap.
-Maps and Bikestyle guide to the 2010 UCI Road World Championships

Reserve your Place for the 10 Day 2010 World Championships Cycling Tour

NOTE: Please place number of persons attending in box below

• By paying a deposit you are deemed to have accepted our Waiver and Reservation Conditions. If you have any further enquiries please email us at tours@bikestyletours.com.
• Don’t forget it is a requirement of Bikestyle Tours that you have Travel Insurance for this trip if you are not a resident of Australia. For Australian residents we still reccomend you consider purchasing travel insurance or deposit protection insurance for this tour.
  Purchase your International Travel Insurance here and receive a 15% discount from QBE Insurance.
• * We charge for our trips in Australian Dollars (AUD) and prices shown in other currencies are only approximate. We advise that you check the exchange rate before booking.
• Deposits can also be paid by direct deposit or cheque. For more information contact our Office Manager Michelle Knibbs for our bank details and mailing address, michelle@bikestyletours.com.

See Bikestyle Tours VIP Hospitality Area

Bikestyle Tours VIP Hospitality Area

View Bikestyle Tours VIP Area, Geelong 2010 Worlds in a larger map