Are you riding in the Tour Down Under??

This week, I have been asked by both staff and customers, whether I am going to be riding in the Tour Down Under next week. Not the BUPA challenge ride, but the actual Tour Down Under.

When I explain that this is a professional cycling event, I get asked why I don't just enter it! After all, I am a cyclist!! Further explanation that the cyclists who ride in the event are highly paid professionals, who ride their bikes for a living, only results in blank, confused looks. Even further explanation (yes, by this point it starts to get painful) finally achieves a lightbulb moment!

Just thought I'd share for your amusement, although the level of naivety shown by some people is a bit sad.......

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Permalink Reply by Rob (Chewbacca) on January 12, 2012 at 18:40
The pros seem to be in a league of their own.....nevertheless only about 10 percent of the population exercise regular. So if you have your arse on a saddle a few times a week you are pretty well up there.
Permalink Reply by Simon Lownsborough on January 12, 2012 at 18:45

I got this too - still, its not much worse than my knowledge of football…… :)

Permalink Reply by Clive Palfrey on January 12, 2012 at 19:35

Maybe the simplest parallel would be to ask if they will be entering the Clipsall race

Permalink Reply by Tim on January 12, 2012 at 19:45

The obvious answer is YES!

In 2000, before it was the TDU(?) with all the barriers/police, they raced around the city past Rymill Park. I happened to cycle by just after the last stragglers and got a big cheer of encouragement from a few people who were most disappointed/embarrassed when others pointed out that I was not a participant.

And, a couple of years back, for a lark, I rode from Burnside Village to Gorge Rd just in front of the TDU whilst all the crowds were gathering - didn't intend to but it worked out that way. I was just a couple of minutes ahead of the circus and all of the kids were cheering and ringing their bells, as were quiet a few adults. Almost felt like a competitor - until the real guys started racing up Gorge Rd at warp speed and left me for dust.

Permalink Reply by Clive Palfrey on January 12, 2012 at 19:56

I did that up Gnd Junc Rd one year, got totally pissed off with fat wankers in stubbies and thongs, beer in one hand, ciggy in the other taking the piss and making ha ha ha  not funny comments for the benefit of their equally over weight family members who seemed to be wedged in their tubular ali/canvas beach chairs. Sometimes you think to yourself maybe heart disease does serve a purpose. By the way I got as far as Tea tree Gully before stopping to allow the peleton pass unhindered. Then took the short cut to Gawler to watch several riders come to grief on the level crossing about 200mts before the end, maybe my issues were relatively minor after all.

Permalink Reply by Baron Von Thierry on January 12, 2012 at 20:14

so...  are you??

Permalink Reply by Darren S. on January 13, 2012 at 8:19

If one of the teams is happy to recruit a new rider who will more than likely be dropped within the first 2km, I will be more than happy to accept a paycheck (Matt White, are you reading this????)

Permalink Reply by Ol' Dr. Cadence (Mathew) on January 13, 2012 at 10:51

Hahahahahahaha. Love it.

Permalink Reply by MARK FERGUSON (SPARTACUS) on January 12, 2012 at 21:20

I'm doing it!

Permalink Reply by Patrick O'Kane on January 12, 2012 at 21:50

The guy that works for me thought the TDU was a charity ride open to all and sundry. When I explained that was the BUPA ride and the tour itself was a week long professional racing event he looked very confused.

Permalink Reply by Clive Palfrey on January 12, 2012 at 22:02

My wife is so confused. I've told her countless times when the RLC is and the BUPA ride and she said today I've seen so many cyclists today aren't you supposed to be riding this Saturday. So I think I might start going on about the Grand Slam tour soon, maybe I'll get tickets to France for my birthday.

Permalink Reply by emu legs on January 13, 2012 at 9:47

Does this count !?

I was offered the chance to ride 75km this Monday [official TDU Rest Day] with the Bianchi Vacansoleil team,plus be suplied with a Bianchi Oltre and team riding kit ...........A Real OMG moment for me !

BUT as I am still very broken after a stack 12 months ago & to save my marriage I declined and passed the ride onto a buddy ! .Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo !

For me to have ridden with the Vacansoleil boys would almost have felt like being a rider in the TDU.

Trails off with the sound of violins and quiet sobbing !

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