The Tour Returns

[This is most definitely a blog for cycling fans only! Steve rolls his eyes at the mere mention of the race and I know that many friends are puzzled as to why I get so excited about it.] 

The Tour Down Under returned to South Australia after a Covid-caused hiatus of two years. This was the fifth time I've been to watch it. Unlike the time when Kate and Kim visited in 2018 and the temperature soared to 43°C, today, grey clouds scudded across the sky, a fierce wind whipped the trees into a frenzy, the sun was sulking, and the temperature had dropped alarmingly and I had to venture into the winter wardrobe for a jumper. 

My friend Sandy and I had arranged to go together, and the day before, we poured over a map of the route to see the best place to view the race. Luckily for us, not far from her house was a roundabout around which the cyclists would go and then, an hour later, emerge a little further up the road and back round the roundabout and into town. So we would see them twice - the only section of the entire 159km route when this would occur. We decided to forgo the finish line (and the crowds) and reckoned seeing them twice was a bonus.

So we both started watching the race on television at our homes. 

The race started in Brighton then turned towards the coast, through part of the McLaren Vale wine region, then headed south. Armchair watching was great. Spectators lined the route, with everyone trying to spot the best place to be to catch the action. A friend of Steve's from the South Coast Camera Club decided that watching the cyclists cross the Myponga dam wall was a good a place as any, and here is his spectacular shot. I've inserted it here because I love the photo. 

Thanks to Gary Davies, South Coast Camera Club

And then he got very creative, and as my photos are not nearly as exciting I've included this one too. 

Anyway, after watching the race on television for a couple of hours I arrived at Sandy's house at the pre-arranged time of 1:45, and off we went accompanied by her husband to the roundabout just down the road. Once there we established ourselves by the side of the road. But after a lot of thought we decided to move from our initial spot because we thought that over the road gave us a better view. I hoped we were right.

Two excited spectators.

The crowds were beginning to gather.

 

This road would soon be wall-to-wall with cyclists.

Excitement grew as the caravan of sponsors' cars went by. How could you not smile at these papier-maché figures?

Anticipation mounted as the scheduled time for the cyclists' arrival came and went.  And suddenly, police cars whizzed by, sirens sounding. Tour Down Under official cars swept by. Finally, the drone of the helicopter signalled that the peleton was finally approaching. 

And here they come. Could we get any more excited??? And how do those photographers manage while hanging off the back of the motorbike with the camera on their shoulders and holding a microphone? 

The cyclists don't even lose speed as they gracefully navigate the curve, their wheels whirring like a buzzing swarm of bees. Camera at the ready, I aim and press the button.

These guys are certainly concentrating on what's ahead of them.

Still they come. They sure are speeding. While the camera freeze-frames them, they are actually hurtling along. At that speed it's hard to pick an individual out and I didn't really recognise anyone, but afterwards I identified that the cyclist on the far right in the yellow and black colours was Rohan Dennis, the eventual winner (and an Adelaide boy!). 

Here's the last of them, followed by another cameraman you can just see poking up behind them in his orange vest.

And then they were gone - it took all of 5 seconds. 

Gathering our belongings, we headed across the road to find a suitable spot for 'Viewing Number 2'. We had at least an hour while the riders tackled Nettle Hill before they headed back our way towards Victor Harbor and the finish line. We couldn't believe how quickly the time had gone when, amazingly, we heard the police car and sirens and then the helicopter. People across the way who could see down the road were suddenly on full alert so we knew the peleton was very close.

Five riders sweep past before I have my camera ready.

But not long after, the main peleton arrives. 

We were pretty sure there were more to come. And yes - two more bunches of riders a few minutes apart. Nettle Hill had split the peleton with the best climbers out in front; the five leading riders I missed were the eventual place getters. So we now had seen four groups pass by.

We were pretty sure there must be some stragglers as the police had not opened the road, and sure enough after 3 or 4 minutes, the last of the peleton passed us, on their way to the finish line in Victor Harbor. 

And it was homeward bound for us. Until next year ...

My friend Fred was at the finishing line and presentation marquee and shared these photos with me. Thanks Fred!!!