‘Pure Down Under’ at the Tour Down Under

The 2012 cycling season kicks off in Adelaide with the Santos Tour Down Under taking place between January 15th and 22nd. One of the most prolific events on the cycling calendar, the Tour Down Under is growing in stature each year with many thousands of cycling fans flocking to Adelaide to soak up the sunshine and atmosphere to see some of the world’s top pro riders in action on their own doorstep.

The 2012 edition will be even more spectacular with the final weekend’s racing including a mountain top finish for the first time in it’s recent history. There are many riders participating who form part of our organisation, including last year’s winner Cameron Meyer. The young rider from Perth will carry number one on his back and also be riding with the new outfit GreenEdge as he tries to defend his title.

To celebrate this years event and to thank riders such as Cam Meyer for their support of our organisation we have organised a social bike ride titled ‘Pure Down Under’. We hope that local cyclists will join us on the ride which should last between one and two hours, meeting at the fountain in Victoria Square, opposite the Tour Down Under village and Hilton Hotel event HQ and heading towards Glenelg and the coast with a coffee stop along the way. We will also have a few wristbands to hand out at the start to those who don’t carry one.

Several pro riders who are based in the city will hopefully be joining the ride including former World Team Pursuit champion Sarah Kent, recent Bay Crits overall winner Mel Hoskins (GreenEdge) and established U23 rider Carlee Taylor (Vienne Futuroscope). More riders will be joining up as we draw nearer to the event.

Former Olympic rower and Australian time trial champion Amber Halliday may also drop by the start to say hi. Amber is a Bike Pure role model and suffered a serious accident a year ago whilst competing in a circuit race. Amber has undergone a lengthy recovery process and we are delighted to see her back working at the Tour Down Under.

Description and route details as follows:-
Date: Friday 20th January 2012
Location: Fountain, Victoria Square, Adelaide.
Opposite the Tour Down Under Village and Hilton Hotel Race HQ.
Departing at 8.30am
Route: Victoria Square – Anzac Highway – Glenelg – Military Road – West Beach – towards Henley Beach.
Coffee stop somewhere along the way!

We are aware that this falls on the same day as the BUPA challenge. Apologies if this doesn’t suit everyone but it’s the only day we are able to arrange it due to other commitments. To make up for the clash we shall undertake a collection on the ride and donate all the proceeds to BUPA.

A high resolution copy of the poster can be downloaded here. Please feel free to print it out and distribute to local bike stores and fellow cyclists.

Even if you can’t ride the event, please drop by and say hi, we’d love to see you! Many thanks – see you there!

photo courtesy: jxpphotography.com