January 2009, Adelaide, South Australia
Bikestyle Tours is pleased to announce it has been granted the status of an Official Tour Operator to the Tour Down Under 2009.
TRIP DETAILS:
Duration: 7 days (6 nights)
Dates: Monday 19 - Sunday 25 January 2009
Start-Finish: Adelaide Airport
Accommodation: Franklin Apartments.
Cost: AU$2390
Deposit: USD* $469 - Secure your spot now.
We are excited to be a part of this prestigious event that was the first event to become a ProTour event held outside Europe.
Australia’s premier cycling event begins the new Professional season with all the World’s top teams heading south for some Australian sunshine. ProTour status means that the TDU can include 18 professional teams.
Our accommodation will be at the Franklin Apartments which are situated just around the corner from the Hilton Hotel which this year will be held exclusively for the teams and officials and is the base for all Tour activities.
Behind the beautiful heritage listed facade, Franklin Central Apartments offer a range of contemporary self-contained, serviced apartments with many hotel-style services, making them ideal for any length of stay and are available in one or two bedroom and have the following facilities:
- Full-size, fully equipped kitchen with oven/stove, dishwasher and microwave
- Laundry with washer, dryer, iron and ironing board
- Getin2net high speed internet access
- Tea/Coffee making facilities
- Reverse cycle air-conditioning/heating
- Remote control colour television with 10 Foxtel channels and two complimentary movie channels
- Kids stay free using existing bedding
The 2009 Tour Down Under takes place over 8 days. Bikestyle have organised a 6 night package arriving on the Monday, in good time for the official start of the race on Tuesday. However, if you would like to arrive on Sunday to see the Team Presentations and the Down Under Classic we have reserved hotel accommodation – just inform us at the time of booking.
Tour inclusions:
- 6 nights (Mon-Sat) at the Franklin Apartments
- 2 evening meals
- 1 restaurant lunch and 3 picnic lunches
- Breakfast each day
- Sightseeing and shopping, including winery visits
- Daily viewing of the Tour Down Under
- Transport and guides each day including support for non cyclists
- Expert advice and mechanical assistance
- Guided rides with opportunities to ride the course
- Detailed Itinerary including maps
- Complimentary cycling jersey and cap
- Trip Pack: Info on how to prepare for your trip and what to take
- Airport pick-ups and returns
Cost per person AUD $2390 (twin share).
Extra nights accommodation: please contact michelle@bikestyletours.com if you require extra accommodation.
Optional Extras
Mutual Community Challenge Tour**
Stage 4, Friday 23 January 2009, Limited to 5000 riders only
The Tour Down Under is now the first event on the UCI ProTour circuit. You can ride the same route as the professionals on the same day prior to the official race start.
The Mutual Community Challenge Tour is part of the Skoda Breakaway Series, which forms the official recreational ride program of the Tour Down Under.
In 2009 there will be three distance options for you to choose from on Friday 23 January, Stage 4.
The Mutual Community Challenge Tour is also ideal for corporate or social teams looking to cycle in a group.
Form a team of five or more and keep track of each other along the way, wearing your team name on your official Mutual Community Challenge Tour Jersey
It’s a challenge – not a race but with the ultimate satisfaction from riding under the official finish arch. This ride is for regular riders who can make the distance – will you make it to the finish before the professionals arrive?
Burnside Village to Angaston, 143km*
*Does not include a ride neutral distance of 12.3km from Burnside Village to Stage 4 Adelaide start location.
Early Bird: $110, Regular Entry Fee: $130
Mt Pleasant to Angaston, 97km
Early Bird: $110, Regular Entry Fee: $130
Angaston to Angaston, 32km
Early Bird: $75, Regular Entry Fee: $80
*Early bird registration closes 5:00pm SA time Thursday 31 July 2008, unless sold out.
Mutual Community mini tour for kids, Sunday 18 January
Down Under Classic Circuit, Rymill Park Adelaide
Entry Price: $20
Club Tour
Sunday 18 - Sunday 25 January
Plunge into the world of pro cycling! Club Tour is the ticket for anyone who is serious about cycling. Immerse yourself in the best VIP hospitality package the Tour Down Under has to offer.
As a Club Tour member you will receive the following benefits:
- Exclusive trackside viewing platform with catering at the Down Under Classic - Sunday 18 January - Located on the start/finish straight of the Down Under Classic you will be engrossed in the world of professional cycling. With standing and seated areas and quality catering, you’ll start your Tour Down Under experience with a bang.
- Exclusive dinner in the Adelaide City Council Tour Village with special guest appearances - Wednesday 21 January - You can’t get any closer than this! The Adelaide City Council Tour Village will become your very own private marquee. Dine where mechanics work on the race bikes and shake hands with some special guests. Quality catering and a pro cycling atmosphere will make this a night you’ll never forget.
- Reserved seating at the Legends’ Night Dinner - Saturday 24 January (added extra this year) - “The Legends’ Night Dinner is the one chance we all have of relaxing and enjoying the company of the people who have made our sport so great.” Phil Liggett (International Voice of Cycling) Join us in honouring a legend of the cycling world with specially reserved tables at this gala dinner.
- Exclusive trackside viewing platform with catering at the final race, Stage 6 - Sunday 25 January - Imagine cheering on your favourite rider from your exclusive trackside viewing platform spot on the Stage 6 start/finish straight. With standing and seated areas and quality catering, you’ll finish your Tour Down Under experience with arms in the air.
- Official Club Tour Merchandise, prizes and free products - Club Tour members will receive many extras ensuring you look the part and everyone knows you belong to this exclusive club.
Places are limited and demand is high - so book your place early.
Membership Adult $599
Legends’ Night Dinner, Saturday 24 January, Adelaide Convention Centre
Meal and drinks included
“There is no better opportunity anywhere in the Southern Hemisphere to mingle and talk with the top riders of our sport. The Tour Down Under has raised the bar to unprecedented heights and the Legends’ Night Dinner is the one chance we all have of relaxing and enjoying the company of the people who have made our sport so great. We should all make the most of it.” Phil Liggett (International Voice of Cycling)
2009 Legend will be announced soon.
Seats are limited and demand is high - so book your place early.
Reserved seats $170
A full itinerary and entry ticket will be mailed directly to Dinner attendees in January 2009.
*Not suitable for children under 18.
*Prices quoted are AUD per person and include GST.
Information is correct at time of print but subject to change.
Contact us if you’re interested in the 2009 Tour Down Under, or secure your spot on the TDU trip right now!
Itinerary for 2009 Tour Down Under
Sunday, 18 January – Rymill Park, Adelaide, Down Under Classic (51 km)
OPTIONAL
Although our trip does not officially start until tomorrow, some of you may wish to arrive today to soak-up the atmosphere, see all the team presentation and watch the Tour Down Under Classic - the traditional opener to a fantastic week of racing.
If you’re a Club Tour member you will have a special viewing spot to see tonight’s criterium.
Accommodation is available at the Franklin Apartments.
We will pick you up from the airport if you arrive today.
Monday, 19 January – Official Rest Day
This is the official rest day for the Tour Down Under, which gives you time to arrive at leisure, familiarise yourself with the hotel, unpack your bike and take a light spin to get the travel fatigue out of your legs.
Today we’ll organise a short ride to acclimatise yourself to your surroundings and make sure everything’s working alright after your journey.
You can be assured that the Pro’s won’t be resting today, so it’s a good opportunity to take a look at the Tour Village.
All the teams base themselves here for the week and it is a hive of activity every day. You can watch the mechanics at work, catch a glimpse of the riders as they finish (don’t forget your autograph book!), catch-up on all the race results, buy your official race merchandise and take a look at the trade displays.
The Tour Village is a focal point for the event incorporating the following aspects:
- team mechanics preparation area
- a base for the team support cars
- event update information
- refreshment areas
- a hub for the event and the opportunity to get close to the action
Today is also a good opportunity to pick-up your Mutual Community Challenge Tour registration pack, which contains your official jersey and wristband.
Tonight we will organise a welcome dinner, where you will get the chance to meet the Bikestyle team and your companions for the next few days.
Tuesday, 20 January – Norwood to Mawson Lakes, Stage 1 (140 km)
Today’s race is a hard stage to start the race with and may see the winner of the entire race come to the front.
We will go to the start today before seeing the race at least one or two more times and returning to the hotel afterwards. We will be able to ride from the hotel to the start and then into the hills to see the riders pass one or two times before returning home.
Top viewing
- One Tree Hill (SA Lotteries Sprint #1: 30.3km)
- Gould Creek (Skoda King of the Mountain #1: 34.5km)
- Checker Hill (Skoda King of the Mountain #2: 61.1km)
- Williamstown (Feed Station: 85.5km)
- Williamstown Road (SA Lotteries Sprint #2: 95.6km)
On our way home we will call in to a few select wineries to do some tasting of Australia’s Premium Wine.
Wednesday, 21 January – Hahndorf to Stirling, Stage 2 (145 km)
This morning we will ride from the hotel up through the beautiful Adelaide Hills to Hahndorf. The race starts in Hahndorf and then goes to Sterling where it will go through 4 times before finishing there so it will be an excellent place to watch the race. This region has been the inspiration for many artists with its picturesque farmlands and charming villages. There are plenty of local craft shops and produce in this area to satisfy everyone.
Today you’ll be provided with a picnic lunch.
Top viewing
- Charleston (SA Lotteries Sprint #1: 16.7km)
- Fox Creek (Skoda King of the Mountain: 34.5km)
- Balhannah (SA Lotteries Sprint #2: 54.8km)
- Stirling (Feed Station: 83.7km)
After the race this afternoon we will call by Hahndorf Hill Winery to do a little wine tasting.
Thursday, 22 January – Unley to Victor Harbor, Stage 3 (136 km)
As a real contrast to yesterday’s stage, we head out to the coastal region of the Fleurieu Peninsula. This region has beautiful surfing beaches and famous vineyards such as McLaren Vale and Currency Creek. Today should provide us with some interesting and varied racing and riding opportunities.
We will ride this morning from the hotel at 6am. This will allow us a 2 hour ride, returning in time for breakfast and then off to watch the race for the day. We will go to the start to see all the action and try to get a few treasured snaps with your favourite rider. After the start we will head down to Victor Harbour to see the finish and have lunch at a local restaurant, courtesy of Bikestyle Tours.
Top viewing:
- Wickhams Hill Road (Skoda King of the Mountain #1: 31.4km)
- Meadows (SA Lotteries Sprint #1: 57.0km)
- Ashbourne (Feed Station: 71.0km)
- Goolwa (SA Lotteries Sprint #2: 99.0km)
- Crows Nest Road (Skoda King of the Mountain #2: 116.0km)
On our return journey we have a number of great wineries to choose from, this time in McLaren Vale.
Friday, 23 January – Burnside Village to Angaston, Stage 4 (143 km)
Today’s race will take us out to the beautiful Barossa Valley – the wine capital of Australia. We will ride part of the course and stop to sample the delights of the area along the way before arriving at the finish in time to see the race. Today you’ll be provided with a picnic lunch.
On our way home we will call in to a few select wineries to do some tasting of Australia’s Premium Wine.
Top viewing:
- Mount Pleasant (SA Lotteries Sprint #1: 46.7km)
- Williamstown (SA Lotteries Sprint #2: 74.1km)
- Rowland Flat (Feed Station: 88.4km)
- Menglers Hill (Skoda King of the Mountain: 103.5km)
Saturday, 24 January – Snapper Point to Willunga, Stage 5 (148 km)
Today’s race heads back to the Fleurieu Peninsula . This region boasts that it “has it all”, so we should be in for a contrasting days racing and riding. We’ll probably take things a bit easier today, after yesterdays ride, and save our energy for tonight’s party. Today you’ll be provided with a lunch at a local winery on the course where you can graze and drink in Air Conditioned comfort after your ride out to McLaren Vale to the start.
Top viewing
- Snapper Point (SA Lotteries Sprint #1: 40.3km)
- Willunga (Feed Station: 62.5km)
- Snapper Point (SA Lotteries Sprint #2: 80.6km)
- Old Willunga Hill (Skoda King of the Mountain #1: 106.1km)
- Old Willunga Hill (Skoda King of the Mountain #2: 128.9km)
Tonight is the Legends’ Night Dinner. We are promised a very special gala night – enjoy the entertainment with local and international cycling celebrities.
Your hosts will be “the voices of cycling” – Phil Liggett and Paul Sherwen
This is definitely not a night to be missed, so book your place early as it will sell out.
Sunday, 25 January – Adelaide City Council Street Circuit, Stage 6 (90 km)
Today’s stage is usually full of action, as it is the last chance for race glory and where all of the classifications will be decided. There are plenty of opportunities to see the racing as the riders hurtle around laps of the street circuit, taking in the view of Adelaide’s city skyline.
You can see all of the action on the Big Screen and there are areas to enjoy local food, wine and entertainment. After the race are the presentations where you’ll have a chance to take a last few photos of the winners to show all your friends and club mates when you get home.
This morning there is the opportunity for a ride along the beaches of Adelaide, before returning to the hotel for breakfast. The rest of the morning is free until we go to see the final stage at 2:30pm.
This is the last official day of our trip and we are available to take you to the airport or you may choose to stay on another day. Please see our extra accommodation prices.
TRIP DETAILS:
Duration: 7 days (6 nights)
Dates: Monday 19 - Sunday 25 January 2009
Start-Finish: Adelaide Airport
Accommodation: Franklin Apartments.
Cost: AU$2390
Deposit: USD* $469 - Secure your spot now.
