It’s not too late to chuck the kids, or the dog, or both, into the car and catch the end of the Hahn Stage 3 race today at Wadmore Park/Pulyonna Wirra on Maryvale Road in Campbelltown.
Besides a guaranteed amazing finish as the peloton speeds down from Corkscrew Hill to complete the 117km course, the township is putting on a family afternoon at the finish line called “Gear Up at Campbelltown”. It will feature food and music and things for the kids to do.
Or head from the 11:30am Norwood start, and all the amazing coffee available, through Campbelltown as an excuse to grab some picnic supplies from Mercato at 625-627 Lower North East Road before staking out a place to watch the climb and final efex King of the Mountain effort at the top of Corkscrew. If there is a breakaway here, you’ll know who won the race.
But with a bit more time to plan, Saturday and Sunday are your best options for enjoying the race with either a glass of wine in hand or plenty to occupy the kids.
The Think! Road Safety Stage 4 starts in Port Willunga at 11:30am and with the weather shaping up to be a flawless beach day it is the perfect opportunity to enjoy sun and sand while seeing the start or enjoying one of two Ziptrak Sprints when the peloton wooshes by at 89km and then again at 110km.
It is a chance to explore the Port Willunga jetty pylons – one of the more Instagramable shots in SA – or grab some picnic supplies and stake a claim on Snapper Point.
Or head into the Vale and enjoy any of the wineries lining the 133km route, but be sure to get to Willunga for two King of the Mountain efforts and then the finish before 3pm.
With the famous Willunga Farmer’s Market on from 8:00am to noon, it’s easy to spend Saturday around Willunga as you wait for the cyclists. Spend a few hours browsing the stalls for the perfect lunch then head out around McLaren Vale to pick up some beverages – there is wine, beer and gin to be had within an easy drive.
This year the routes have been designed to help ensure the race comes down to a push up Mount Lofty on Sunday. Although there are no assurances that a rider won’t break away and solo to the finish, even then Mount Lofty is going to be the place to be on Sunday.
The organisers have thoughtfully made this stage a punchy loop with the peloton passing through Crafers, Stirling, Aldgate, Bridgewater, Carey Gully, Uraidla and Summertown four times in the early afternoon.
All these Adelaide Hills towns have amazing bakeries to grab the goods from, but be warned that if you’re after a Lofty finish you’ll have to camp out early or plan for a hike from a hearty lunch around Crafers.
So why not get your steps in and park at Waterfall Gully, book a breakfast at Utopia and then climb the path to the lookout in time for the two King of the Mountain passes and then the finish? There’s sure to be ice cream at the top as a reward.
If it all sounds a bit much for a lazy weekend, the easiest option is to hit the City of Adelaide Tour Village any time during the day or evening to watch the race on the big screens, enjoy the live entertainment, chow down on regional delicacies and line up for Knock-Off Hour $6 beverages from 5-6.30pm.