2010 Tour Down Under Challenge Tour

[feeltherush]

Hi All,

I to have a large "maternity" top for Friday's ride but aside from the jersey debacle I am looking forward to an awesome day on Friday.

I just wanted to post my thoughts on the TDU and how lucky we are to have it here.

Between the twitter ride on Saturday, the Cancer Council Classic on Sunday and today's first stage the atmosphere around the place is fantastic.

I'm lucky enough to have the week off of work and decided to drive out to Menglers Hill today from Bridgewater, the amount of cyclists I seen riding out there on the way was unreal, looked like a few organised bike tours, and if these guys are riding from Adelaide then hats off to them. Anyway once up Menglers everybody was in a great mood and all I could do was sit there for an hour watching all the people riding up to the top (I was at about the 400m to go mark) and getting very envious and suffering from a severe bout of upgraditist (there's some very nice bike out there)

And then to have the privilege of watching these boys come up the hill doing what they do best is an awesome sight. From Armstrong, Evans, Valverde, Rogers, Pirero, Sanchez, McEwan, Griepel... the list goes on. And the icing on the cake is that I get to see them in Balhannah tomorrow, then 3 time through Stirling, a glimpse on Friday if I can stand up after riding, get onto Willunga Hill somehow on Saturday and finish off seeing the do 20 laps on Sunday.

In the Tour de France most people only see them the once or have to keep following the tour around to see these guys and here we are able to see them upwards of 30 times in a week whilst going home to the comfort of our own beds each night. Seeing these guys and the atmosphere around the place makes me appreciate what a great sport cycling is and just makes me want to get out there and ride so I hope everyone else out there can enjoy this great event as much as I do.

[alltorque]

Between the twitter ride on Saturday, the Cancer Council Classic on Sunday and today's first stage the atmosphere around the place is fantastic.

+1
Have to agree about the atmosphere. Had a ball on Sunday and got some awesome pics too! Here's one I'd like to share. I won't be riding this Friday now in the MCCT (missed the booking deadline...grrr) All the best to those taking part!

[feeltherush]

Alltorgue, that is an awesome photo, you must have a pretty nice camera to capture that sort of pic.

I've borrowed a Canon EOS 400D from a friend at work to try and get some pics exactly like you've done there (quick question even though this is a cycling forum and not a photography forum) did you shoot that in sports mode or just as a single shot?

In regards to Friday there's nothing stopping you from loading up with your own food and follow the 8000 odd people in tops that are too big for them, and by the sounds of it if you've got a top from last year you could wear that to get some food and drinks along the way.

[alltorque]

cheers Got a stack more but still haven't gone through them all yet. This was just shot in shutter priority mode at about 400 ISO AI Servo focus from memory.. I used to do pro photography so had heaps of practice

yeah I'm kinda thinking of tagging along up to the main climb and heading home again (i live just off the race neutral zone) as I'd like to go back and shoot the pro riders again. I have last years jersey but it's as tight as hell.. Very nice of you to offer though

here's one of the HTC/Colombia boys looking very sharp!

[Dahondude]

So does this mean that wearing any other jersey that fit us properly we cant get food or drink? That sucks a**. The jersey I managed to get will no doubt be way too big and I was just gonna wear my quickstep kit with the wristband to get me food. My 08 jersey is to tight and the 10 to big!![/quote][/quote]

I wouldnt get too concerned about not having the jersey on during the ride. You have that little tag with a unique number on the zip lock bag (the one you are meant to wave over the start and finish pad) that you can show to prove you are a legitimate entrant. Also the organisers have a duty of care to provide you with food and water....imagine the lawyers glee if you dropped dead from dehydration because some 16 year old kid wouldn't give you water and a piece of cake at a refreshment stop, because you weren't wearing a jersey that wasn't the right size!

[feeltherush]

Not quiet up to alltorgue's standard but some pics from Sunday & today.

[smeggysmeg]

damn, working hard getting in some long weekenders plus my 50km a day commutes and then bamn work up with a nasty case of gastro yesterday morning, missed work yesterday, back today but very flat, hopefully can get my energy back or friday could be terrible

[We_love_ArthurG]

Got my size L blouse on Monday which is a team entry.

Took it in to One Stop Hem Shop in Adelaide Arcade who will reduce it down to S sizing for $25.00. Getting it back today

It wasn't the first one they had seen.

Let's see if TDU people go for a sizing fiasco trifecta next year!

[bongo]

Yep,recieved the two man tent as well.not going to let it ruin the day though,will ride in my own jersey,looking forward to it,thought 7000 was big last year going to be awesome!

[sportsfreakfromoz]

I also sent an email, and got an almost identical reply.

Thank you for your email.

We understand that some participants may have over estimated their jersey size based on previous years, however being so close to the event the only option we have is to facilitate as many swaps as possible on the morning of the ride with what spares we have available. However, we cannot promise/guarantee a swap so we suggest that you bring a spare jersey with you just in case.

If you are happy with previous years jersey and would prefer to wear this, we are happy for you to do this in order to access the refreshment stations on route.


I don't think they are even reading them, just sending this generic reply back as part of their PR damage control. The fact they are trying to infer that everyone (myself included) didn't order the right size is rather insulting, as mine is at least 2 sizes too big for a L, and I told them as such. And its a team jersey so I'm not sure how they plan on taking the name off the back when the 'swap' occurs. I also said last years didnt fit either, so I'm not sure why they've said to wear an old jersey. It's a generic message no doubt. I did get the response within a couple of hours so thats something.

I'm not planning on wearing this years or last years jersey on the ride. I going to want to be comfortable if I'm going to ride for 6 hours. I'll have the "dog tag" so that is evidence enough if someone has an issue.

The weather looks to be ok temp wise on Friday, which is good. The only thing I'm keen to find out is whether we are going to get a complimentary breeze or a stiff head wind once we leave the hills. Anyone know yet?

[smeggysmeg]

although the weather is favourable, anyone know if any of the rest stops will have sunscreen available?

[smeggysmeg]

I
The weather looks to be ok temp wise on Friday, which is good. The only thing I'm keen to find out is whether we are going to get a complimentary breeze or a stiff head wind once we leave the hills. Anyone know yet?

looked at the wind for Strath for the late few days, today it is was westish in the morning after 12 SSW at about 20km/h, prior to that seems to be southerly, or SSE or SSW at about 20km/h pretty consistently the last few days

[bongo]

Rang the event organisers about twenty mins ago,was informed they have no problem with riding in your own jersey if the one you were issued was not suitable.

[Wino]

although the weather is favourable, anyone know if any of the rest stops will have sunscreen available?

I would expect that as the Cancer Council is supporting the TDU its shoud be available. Probably not at every stop but at least most. If not, I'll have some you can use. Just look out for me - I'll be the one in the blue and white maternity blouse.

[Whittikins]

Got my size L blouse on Monday which is a team entry.

Took it in to One Stop Hem Shop in Adelaide Arcade who will reduce it down to S sizing for $25.00. Getting it back today

It wasn't the first one they had seen.

Let's see if TDU people go for a sizing fiasco trifecta next year!

Yours wasn't the last they have seen, I succumbed to the urge to actually wear mine and dropped it in this afternoon, and i could see a few others there too.

Looks like i will loose some of the advertiser print up the side panel, how did yours turn out?

[AndyZ]

My beautiful wife just put my jersey into the washing machine at highest possible temp (95 degrees). Had the effect of shrinking it by at least 1/2 a size. Is now wearable.

With respect to the weather - latest is for 32 degrees with 15 knot southerly (head wind). www.seabreeze.com.au is a good website to check wind conditions up to a week in advance.

[Clydesdale Scot]

I just got the generic answer about jersey sizes.
And I fired back my answer that I ordered the same size as last year, so how could I have over estimated the jersey size?
I will not be wearing the very big girls blouse/quilt cover/sail/parachute. I will be riding in my one off woolen jersey that fits.

[update]
then I had a phone call from TourismSA, very nice, and a follow up email.
I will ride in my jersey of choice then after the event sort it out.

My suggestion is to adopt an Australian wide 'standard' for bike jerseys when there is a big group ride like this around Australia the contract to supply the jersey required the delivery of jerseys to this standard.
Then all is need to be done is to advise that the 'standard' is being used and publish the size chart.
Torpedo 7's charts are the example of what I am looking for.
Obviously each manufacturer will still have their own patterns for their regular jersey lines, but if they want to tender to supply for the big group rides then they need to be able to cut to the 'standard' set out in the tender specification.

[robbie d]

I have been a late entry in the challenge after winning Triple M's competition. My jersey is only a size or so too big, so will try shrinking it tonight. I agree that there should be a standard, perhaps all manufacturers here in Oz would adopt, knowing that the sizes would always be perfect.

[Dahondude]

That Torpeo 7 size guide is exactly the sort of thing that is needed...actual measurements of the jersey, not some generic measurements of the rider. The humble cyclists then makes the same measurements on a jersey they already own and compare these to the charts. The system would then be almost fool proof.

Anyway all my fellow blouse wearers out there can rest assured that you will eventually get a jersey that fits, as I got another email from Tourism SA yesterday that says:

"You are correct that this is not an isolated incident and we apologise for any inconvenience caused.

To try and rectify your issue our supplier will be providing spare jerseys to assist us in facilitating as many jersey size changes as possible. We would like to see each participant in a jersey that they can wear proudly during the event and will do our very best on the morning of the ride.
If the issue cannot be rectified on the morning of the event we will ensure that it is resolved post event."

Be safe on the roads tomorrow, and remember to ride on the LEFT side of the road to allow faster riders and cars to pass safely.

[MichaelB]

Well, it seems like they are actually trying to do the right thing and have sort of acknowledged the stuffup.

Here's hoping to no rain and bugger all wind tomorrow.... (unless it's a tailwind )

[amt]

I just spoke with TDU office and a few things I can confirm

They will allow riders to ride in their own jersey's no restrictions apply, you must have your id tag if questioned.

Sunscreen will be supplied along the route at each stop.

Looking forward to it, looks like its going to be a warm day

[haggis11]

Does anyone know of anyone pulling out of the challenge ride. I am keen to do the ride and didnt register on time...

[Wino]

Hope everyone doing the challenge tomorrow has a fantastic and safe day on the roads - it should be awesome.

"And hey, lets be careful out there" [Hill Street Blues ref]

[nmstough]

What are people doing for transportation back? I was thinking of going out there on my own - just riding with the fastest peloton - without registering or anything. But I think that after 160KM + 15KM for the ride out I wont want to ride all the way back. What do others do?

[bionic wombat]

good luck today - enjoy the ride - I wished I can come along sigh