Almanac Cycling: The Santos Tour Down Under comes to the Barossa

 

 

 

In a couple of week’s time, on January 18, world cycling comes to the Barossa Valley as we host Stage 1 (for men) of the famous Australian road cycling race The Santos Tour Down Under.

 

This is massive for the Barossa Valley as the event will be telecast around the world.

 

Those who have visited Europe know only too well the place of cycling in European culture, and significance of cycling as a competitive sport. Cycling fans in Australia, who burn the midnight oil for three weeks or so to watch the Tour de France on telly, know that it’s about the colour and action and determination and competition of the cyclists and the event, while at the same time offering a superb experience of the French countryside – from the vineyards to the mountains,  the chateaux and the villages. It is a spectacular evocation of France, and life in France. Other tours – in Italy and Spain for example – command international attention and have the same impact.

 

I remember, oh so fondly, cycling through the vineyards around Seguret and Sablet and Gigondas in the south of France, tasting wine, and taking in the history and the lifestyle. Some of the best days of my life (more on that another day).

 

The Tour Down Under, although a shorter event, is the antipodean experience of the European tours, with roles reversed and European (and other) people in their loungerooms and in the cafes and bars, watching the cycling from South Australia.

 

The women’s Tour Down Under is conducted first, from January 15 – 17.

 

Stage 1 – January 15    Glenelg to Aldinga

Stage 2 – January 16     Birdwood to Uraidla

Stage 3 – January 17     Adelaide to Campbelltown

 

 

The men’s Tour Down Under follows, from January 18 – 22.

 

Stage 1 – January 18       Tanunda to Tanunda

Stage 2 – January 19       Brighton to Victor Harbour

Stage 3  – January 20       Norwood to Campbelltown

Stage 4 – January 21         Port Willunga to Willunga

Stage 5  – January 22       Unley to Mt Lofty

 

It’s set up for the commentators – to describe the terrain while trying to do justice to the rich history and culture of the Barossa. So much to talk about.

 

The Barossa course starts at the rotunda in the park – which is about a five iron away at the top of our street.

 

The field will turn left into Bridge Street then right into Langmeil Road, one of the oldest streets in Tanunda, which runs along the North Para River. (It takes you towards Langmeil winery which is home to, arguably, the oldest Shiraz vines in the world, and Peter Lehmann Wines).

 

Left across the bridge on Smyth Road and then the peleton heads into the vineyards, up and down over the undulations of the western Barossa, past Lutheran churches with their steeples, among the famous Barossa palm trees, past the Seppelt Family mausoleum, and through Seppeltsfield.

 

Then right to Greenock and on to Nuriootpa on the Valley floor.

 

Through Nuriootpa and then a gentle climb to Angaston, the village in the hills.

 

Through Angaston and left high into the Barossa Ranges to start the loop that will be completed four times – some steep climbs there. Past Mengler’s Lookout, from where you can see the whole Barossa below, and the Gulf of St Vincent in the distance. Some tight turns and a lightning run down the escarpment.

 

Left and then right into Bethany Road, and Bethany village, whic the German Lutherans established when they first settled in 1842.  Past the church and the old vineyards and back into Tanunda.

 

Through Tanunda, up Magnolia Road, past Faith Lutheran College (where our kids go to school), and on to Vine Vale, and towards Angaston again. But then continuing past the Angaston turnoff and back up into the Ranges.

 

Eventually, after those four loops and 150 kilometres, finishing at the rotunda in Tanunda.

 

It’s a superb course.

 

 

 

You can find out more (including maps of all the stages) at https://tourdownunder.com.au/

 

A Little History

 

Cycling was remarkably popular in Australia for decades.

 

Australia has a long and storied history of cycling and road racing. It features great cyclists, and colourful cycling identities. Promoters. Bookies. Fixers. Some road racing was not unlike the Stawell Gift in that it involved handicapping, heavy gambling and all of the associated intrigue. The Austral Wheel Race https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Austral_Wheel_Race    in Melbourne was a huge event as was the Melbourne to Warrnambool Classic (which began in 1895)  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melbourne_to_Warrnambool_Classic

 

And on the amateur side, Australia has produced numerous Olympians and world champions.

 

Once the invention and development of the pneumatic tyre in the late nineteenth century gave rise to the safety bicycle, the cycling craze took off. It made people independently mobile. And the inevitable emerged: who was the fastest rider, over short courses, over long tours? Clubs were formed. Races conducted. Many Australian footy and cricket grounds were surrounded by a velodrome, many still exist today, or the remnants can be identified even if they’re where cars park and the occupants toot their horn when their side kicks a goal.

 

In South Australia, the cycling craze was just as strong. The Norwood Cycling Club   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norwood,_South_Australia  was formed in 1884 and became the focus of major cycling events. These included the two-day Burra-Adelaide Classic (since 1907, off and on) , and the Noarlunga Road Race (since 1919).

 

 

Read more from John Harms HERE

 

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