Tour De Adelaide

We described to someone recently that our ideal R&R was simply; running and riding. Lucky for us our time to “put our feet up” coincided with the Tour Down Under, an annual event held in Adelaide each January.

The Tour Down Under is the first event of the UCI WorldTour starting the international pro cycling calendar and held in January means this event takes place in the heart of summer. Adelaide is known for its hot dry temperatures and in 2019 the weather gods did not disappoint.

The tour for us marks the start of our festive break, working in retail means we work through the festive season while everyone else is on holidays so January is our time to feel some cheer and goodwill and time to start our R&R.

The hills are alive

We couldn’t think of a better place to visit over this time for Adelaide seems to have it all; hills, hills and more hills plus coffee, wine, beer and bakeries that bake mean vegan pasties and lentil pies; all the ingredients an endurance novice such as ourselves likes to consume pre, during or post R&R.

What you notice about Adelaide and its producers is; its small, its boutique and true craftsmanship has gone into producing the best product for the consumer. The quality, taste and delivery speak volumes and this is why Adelaide is now fast becoming the place to visit for instate visitors and tourists alike.

Our Tour De Adelaide was mapped out by the Tour Down Under stage schedule; North Adelaide, Port Adelaide, Norwood, Lobethal, Uraidla, Unley, Glenelg, Strathalbyn and McLaren Vale we were treated to a mixture of environments that had us enjoying the smooth roads at sea level to the challenging ascents and descents of the switch back roads in the hills. Whether you are powered by bike or by foot you treated to roads and trails that have you appreciating just being alive. My mantra over this time was ‘I don’t exercise to get fit; I do it to enjoy being alive’.

Running and Riding

From running the perimeter of the Cleland Wildlife park where you have fenced dingos racing you to disturbing wild kangaroos with their young on the trails or riding alongside deer and laughing kookaburras you are treated to what it means to live in Australia.

Daily we tied up our trail or cycling shoes and enjoyed the great outdoors, enjoyed the warm sun and blue skies and when we had to enjoyed the early morning sunrise in order to beat the heat of the day. To run or ride Adelaide is a special experience and one that should be experienced whatever time of the year.

Eat | Drink | Shop

Over the course of a week we were lucky enough to sample and enjoy some of the coolest and on-trend places in Adelaide. Here is our hit list of some of those places.

FOOD

The Food Experience
111 Franklin Street
Adelaide  SA  5000

Harvest Mylor Café
240 Strathalbyn Road
Mylor  SA  5153

The Summertown Aristologist
1097 Greenhill Road
Summertown  SA  5141

Ying Chow Chinese Restaurant
114 Gouger Street
Adelaide  SA  5000

COFFEE

Tell Henry
20 The Parade West
Kent Town SA  5067

Laneway Espresso House
4/4-10 Ebenezer Place
Adelaide  SA  5000

Coffee by the Beans
3/394 Henley Beach Road
Lockleys  SA  5032

Hey Jupiter Brasserie
11 Ebenezer Place
Adelaide  SA  5000

BREWERY

The Shifty Lizard
33 Hight Street
Willunga SA  5172

Prancing Pony
42 Mount Barker Road
Totness  SA  5250

The Uraidla Brewery
1198 Greenhill Road
Uraidla  SA  5142

Pirate Life Brewing
89 South Road
Hindmarsh   SA  5007

Mismatch Brewing Co
Lot 100 Chambers Road
Hay Valley  SA  5252

WINERIES

Ashton Hills Vineyard
126 Tregarthen Road
Summertown  SA  5137

Greenhill Wines Cellar Door & Café
1016 Greenhill Road
Summertown  SA  5141

Shaw + Smith
136 Jones Road
Balhannah  SA  5242

Tapanappa Wines
15 Spring Gully Road
Piccadilly  SA  5151

The Lane Vineyard
5 Ravenswood Ln
Hahndorf  SA  5245

BAKERY

Cherry Darlings Bakehouse
5 Aroha Terrace
Black Forest  SA  5035

Pik a Pie Bakery
96 Main Road
McLaren Vale  SA  5151

Orange Spot Bakery
752 Anzac Hwy
Glenelg  SA  5045

The Uraidla Bakery
1198 Greenhill Road
Uraidla  SA  5142

YOGA & PILATES

Adelaide Hills Bikram
74 Mount Barker Road
Stirling  SA  5152

Power Living Yoga Adelaide
60 Halifax Street
Adelaide  SA  5000

TRAIL RUNNING

BKT- Trail
552 Greenhill Road
Hazelwood Park SA  5066

BIKE STORE

Will Ride
4/48 Mount Barker Road
Stirling  SA  5151

Cycle Closet Adelaide
Shop 2/122 Pirie Street
Adelaide  SA  5000

Time to rethink

Adelaide has long been referred to as the ‘City of Churches’ however after our week of riding, running, eating and drinking at some of the most on-trend places around, we can’t help but think its current title needs a rethink…….

To read more about the Tour Down Under and book your place for 2020, click here.