Tdu 2011 !!!!

[Wino]

A couple of pages on it also recommends ceasing TDU event completely, as without UCI and television coverage its not sustainable - No $**t sherlock!!

From a cycling perspective it would be a great loss. From an economic perspective it is illogical and would clearly have a negative impact on the state.

[Dahondude]

My reading of the SA State Budget seems to indicate that the TDU has been saved from the economic razor gang.

[Gimp]

WT?????? Who hands back a UCI ProTour race?

the same state that handed over a formula 1 grand prix

Yep - very frustrating

I am not into politics but our current 'leaders' are just monkeys IMO

[MichaelB]

For those looking for a local (easy distance within city ride), Kensington Rd from roundabout to top lookout is pretty similar.

It's 1.25km long in total, but can be broken into two sections.

The 1st bit isn't that steep - 350m (AT) 7.2% average
The second bit is though - 940m is at 14.1% average

The bugger part of Checkers is 600m at an average 0f 14.2%.

I haven't made it up in a single go yet, but down to just one break after 460m of the steep part, so not far off of theoretically being able to conquer Checkers without walking.

[alltorque]

Michael,

I didn't even know that huge Kensington road climb existed until a couple of weekends ago when I drove up to the lookout to watch the sun go down with this girl I was with. I'm suprised it hasn't been mentioned before (or has it)

Was thinking on the way up how much it would hurt on the bike! Has anyone on here made it up in one go?

[rustychisel]

not in one go, no. And err, coming down in the wet a few months ago was i.n.t.e.r.e.s.t.i.n.g. (additional punctuation may have been used to emphasise braking points on the way down).

[MichaelB]

Michael,

Has anyone on here made it up in one go?

NFI, but I'mm getting closer ....

[Chriss]

On my third attempt at it, yesterday, made it all the way up in one go

After a little while sitting there gasping for breath, as a reward I then rode up Thirkell Rd over Mt Osmond, and then on up Mt Lofty. Definitely feeling it after that. But it was such lovely weather I had to make the most of it.

[MichaelB]

Have decided not to do the TdU 2011 due to a variety of reasons that have been discussed here, but will instead repay the chaperone favour for some friends that are doing it.

Hopefully the end stories are good !!!!

[rustychisel]

can be a great experience Michael, perhaps bittersweet.

I did it a few years ago on the stage which began in Mannum ('Thought I'd died and gone to Mannum' to be sung to the tune of 'Thought I'd died and gone to heaven'), stayed near there overnight, got a fabulous photo of my partner slogging up the hill with the dawn sunlight over her shoulder. My enforced absence due to haemmorhoids *

(*arse bandits)

Got told off by a motorcycle cop for driving too close to the cyclists somewhere near Nairne whilst delivering fresh bidons, said fuzzy in the act of telling me off wobbled directly into the path of a fast moving gruppo, then had a stern word with a group of kids at Callington who were offering the passing cyclists 'high 5's and attempting to grab their hands as the went past. Saw a couple of cyclists nearly pulled into the gravel verge so went over and had 'a word' with them. Does anyone who rode that year remember that...? about 200m after the T junction at Callington which brought you back onto the road down to Strathalbyn.

[MichaelB]

can be a great experience Michael, perhaps bittersweet.

.

I've enjoyed the ones I've done for sure, but am now tired of the jersey palava, sign in fiasco and the "catering" on route last year.

I've asked the mob as to who and what the changes are, but they are dumb or avoiding the question. Will do Amy's ride & Rise like Crazy instead and enjoy myself

[rustychisel]

agree totally, the 'bittersweet' comment was made about driving the support vehicle, thjough, 'cause you always think "I'd like to be riding this".

[Cycotic]

It looks like they've gone for a green jersey again this year. I've hardly worn my green one from 4 years ago because it makes me INVISIBLE on the roads.

[MichaelB]

It looks like they've gone for a green jersey again this year. I've hardly worn my green one from 4 years ago because it makes me INVISIBLE on the roads.

I'm gonna miss the TdU pre race palava next year .....

[Richard.L]

i may consider the tour next year as i am trying to ride a bit more now.
The first thing for me to do is get into the hills sooo i may need to wait till the summer, as i dont know the roads at all

[MichaelB]

Go for it Richard.

A couple of good introductory rides to the local hills will be Amy's Ride (7th Nov), Ride like Crazy (week before TdU) and then the Coast to Coast.

I'm doing Amy's ride and Ride like Crazy.

[Richard.L]

Im gonna try the 100km this year for Amy's Ride and i wil need to check the dates(TDU & Ride like crazy) with my parents as they could be working making it hard for me to get to starting locations and getting home

[bionic wombat]

Go for it Richard.

A couple of good introductory rides to the local hills will be Amy's Ride (7th Nov), Ride like Crazy (week before TdU) and then the Coast to Coast.

I'm doing Amy's ride and Ride like Crazy.

add Bike SA grand slam series or mini slam series - awesome !

[bongo]

It looks like they've gone for a green jersey again this year. I've hardly worn my green one from 4 years ago because it makes me INVISIBLE on the roads.

Tried the jersey on yesterday, not a green colour anything like the earlier style.More like the green colour when you take a dive in your cricket whites.Full zip is cool, and a medium was a tight fit on my slim frame.

[cuttsnake]

Still not sure whether or not to have a crack at the Challenge next year. I've signed up for Ride Like Crazy, but won't be back on the bike in time for Amy's Ride. I was hoping to have heaps of fitness to build on and it's all just wasted away.
I'd like to have a go at Checker Hill, even if I don't do the whole route, but living in the north of Adelaide it would be smarter for me to start from Craigmore instead of Norwood - is anyone else interested? I'm not going to head up through that way on my own!
Proposed route: Craigmore-Gumeracha

[bionic wombat]

It looks like they've gone for a green jersey again this year. I've hardly worn my green one from 4 years ago because it makes me INVISIBLE on the roads.

Tried the jersey on yesterday, not a green colour anything like the earlier style.More like the green colour when you take a dive in your cricket whites.Full zip is cool, and a medium was a tight fit on my slim frame.

lime colour?

[bongo]

It looks like they've gone for a green jersey again this year. I've hardly worn my green one from 4 years ago because it makes me INVISIBLE on the roads.

Tried the jersey on yesterday, not a green colour anything like the earlier style.More like the green colour when you take a dive in your cricket whites.Full zip is cool, and a medium was a tight fit on my slim frame.

lime colour?

Sort of, not a very attractive number....

[williamsf1]

IMG_0473

poor self portrait (AT) SA tourism center!

size is small

I'm 183cm and 74kg

crazy that today is the first time they have had the jersey's in to try, and 2moro is the closing date for amending your sizes!!

anyhow for what its worth, small is good for me, as its "race fit"

[MichaelB]

Wierd cut at the front. On the + side, it's a full zip and seems like the sleeves don't have their inbuilt self constricting mechanism.

Colour is a bit naff

[betterthanwalking]

Another one for the bottom of the drawer.... To join the oversize item from this years ride.

@cuttsnake, don't let getting to the start stop you doing the whole thing. The satisfaction will make up for any effort you have to go to, to get there.

Gavin