Gathering at the Woodhead Office in Chesser Street at 8:30am for coffee and muffins a full contingent of twenty three headed to Norwood Parade to watch the Stage 4 start at 11am. Settling in a convenient balcony bar overlooking the start they had poll position. After washing down the dust with some cleansing ales they regrouped and headed for Balhannah in the Adelaide Hills where, from the veranda of the main street pub, there were toasts to the health of the cyclists, as they flashed past in the sprint leg. Orange Woodhead cycling caps, dotted the street and provided a colourful backdrop to the event. From there, the group made their way to Hahndorf, where a pleasant lunch with a German feel, was enjoyed at ‘The Haus’ restaurant. Following coffees under the umbrellas they returned, happy and content to Adelaide. Most didn’t make it all the way back to the city however, choosing instead to jump ship at the Cremorne Hotel in Unley. This may have been because Roger (bus captain) was reciting poetry over the bus loudspeaker, or it may have been because they had planned to meet up with the Woodhead Community Challenge Tour Team, who had that same day, competed in the Norwood to Strathalbyn bike leg. Either way, a wonderful day was clearly had by all.
Community Challenge Bike Race
2011 was the first time Woodhead entered a staff and client team in the Mutual Community Challenge bike race. The inaugural team of 11 was made up of Woodhead staff and Clients from all over Australia.
135km Team:
Jim Williams, Woodhead, Adelaide 135km (unfortunately not able to ride due to illness)
Adam Hebbard, Woodhead, Adelaide, 135km
Jose Sanchez – Stockland, Sydney, 135km
Brendan Hewitt – SA Health, Adelaide, 135km
91Km Team:
Garry Schmierer, Woodhead, Brisbane
Gavin Jackson, Santos, Adelaide
Terry Tyso, former Premiers Deptm, Adelaide
62Km Team:
David King Jones, Woodhead, Adelaide (Team Captain)
Nick Orr Woodhead, Adelaide
Dr. Terry Carter, Qld Health – Project Services
For the 135km riders the day began early at 5:30am registration on the Norwood parade, where over 7000 riders congregated in the early morning light for the start of the biggest ever Mutual Community Challenge. At 6:30am the States Premier Mike Rann signaled the beginning of the stage, and so began what would be for some 6 hours in the saddle! The pack commenced its ascent into the Adelaide Hills region with one thing on their minds, the notoriously steep Checker hill. The climb of Checker Hill was to beat many a rider, but those who did make it, stood at the summit and urged on the fellow team mates. After meandering through many of the Adelaide Hills top tourist destinations and, cursing the next hill climb, all the riders eventually rolled in to the finish line with a great sense of accomplishment amongst all the excitement that is associated with a stage finish.
The 91km and 62km riders met at Woodhead at 5:30am where they packed up their bikes, received their show bags full of essential sustenance and boarded the team bus which would take them to their starting points. The undulating roads of the unfamiliar Adelaide Hills made some of the interstate riders very nervous as they talked tactics. The glorious mid 20 degree day was perfect for riding and after an impressive sideshow of spectacular scenery, the riders approached the final 6km descent into Strathalbyn. With their destination now in sight, and with crowds of spectators lining the approach to the finish line, it was at this point that excitement and sense of achievement hit a climax built for the riders.
7800 riders congregated in Strathalbyn after the race. The Woodhead team regrouped at the Victory Hotel to relive their experiences together and enjoy a well-earned ale. The team then returned, full of achievement, to the finish line to watch the big boys in Stage 4 of the Tour Down Under, complete the same route that they had just conquered.
Still ‘on a roll’, that evening, some riders powered on through to the Cremorne Hotel in Unley, where they met up with fellow Woodhead staff and clients, who had also been enjoying the Tour that day, to share their stories of what had been a fabulous experience. Congratulations to all of our riders for a great achievement.
In the main race, West Australian Cameron Meyer, 23, is the new leader of the Santos Tour Down Under after sprinting home ahead of a four man break at the end of the 124km Mutual Community Stage 4 into Strathalbyn.
The Garmin-Cervelo rider overcame a gusting headwind in the home straight to cross the line in a time of 2:57:55 after pulling out of the slipstream of Belgian Thomas de Gendt (Vacansoleil – DCM) in the final 100 metres. Dutch rider Laurens ten Dam (Rabobank) placed third, three seconds after Meyer who punched the air with a heavily bandaged arm to celebrate his win.
“It’s a little bit of a shock I guess to pull off a stage in the Tour, it’s obviously renowned for the sprinters,” said Meyer. “It’s a shock to have the jersey, but I’m thrilled.
South Australian Luke Roberts (UniSA-Australia) retained the Skoda King of the Mountains jersey, but will be challenged tomorrow.
Tomorrow’s Jayco Stage 5 is the ‘queen stage’ of the event and is likely to decide the race as the peloton battles over Old Wilunga Hill twice during the race from McClaren Vale along the Fleurieu Peninsula via Aldinga Beach to the finish at Wilunga.
