Tales from the peloton, January 26, 2008

A sea of ochre floods the Mutual Community Challenge Tour

A record number of amateur cyclists tested their stamina and fitness this week on the same route as the professionals rode in Stage 4 Four of the Tour Down Under as 3,403 cyclists registered for the 2008 Mutual Community Challenge Tour; hundreds more than the previous record of 2,525.

"I am delighted that we have marked our first ever UCI ProTour race, and the Tour's 10th birthday, with record participation from recreational cyclists," Premier Rann says. "It helps to cement our State's reputation as the cycling capital of Australia."

Premier Rann predicted "a sea of lycra as cyclists head off from Mannum and Woodside on one of two rides – 134km or 73.5km." And he was right, as you can see from the gallery of images collected by Cyclingnews' Rachel Burke.

Among the throngs of riders who all ended their long day in Strathalbyn were a couple of local MPs taking part – Leon Bignell, the Member for Mawson, and Rory McEwen, the Member for Mount Gambier.

Tour Down Under: Mutual Community Challenge Tour, January 26, 2008

Riders round the first bend Photo ©: Rachel Burke	Spectators cheer on the field Photo ©: Rachel Burke	One of the Tour Down Under artworks Photo ©: Rachel Burke	A corrugated iron cyclist decorates Photo ©: Rachel Burke
The police join Photo ©: Rachel Burke	A team from New South Wales, Photo ©: Rachel Burke	Showing true team spirit Photo ©: Rachel Burke	A couple of riders keen Photo ©: Rachel Burke
Riders looked relaxed Photo ©: Rachel Burke	Smiles all round. Photo ©: Rachel Burke	With such an early start Photo ©: Rachel Burke	Taking it all in Photo ©: Rachel Burke
Local Adelaide resident, Photo ©: Rachel Burke	Say Cheese - riders pose Photo ©: Rachel Burke	A perfect location to start Photo ©: Rachel Burke	Definitely worth Photo ©: Rachel Burke
A tightly packed field Photo ©: Rachel Burke	The lead riders make their way Photo ©: Rachel Burke	The race gets the thumbs up Photo ©: Rachel Burke	Good hydration the secret Photo ©: Rachel Burke
With over 3,000 riders, Photo ©: Rachel Burke	Strike a pose Photo ©: Rachel Burke	Sun smart Photo ©: Rachel Burke	A lot of determination Photo ©: Rachel Burke
Spectators watched on Photo ©: Rachel Burke	Not missing any of the action, Photo ©: Rachel Burke	Riders dig deep Photo ©: Rachel Burke	The constant field of orange Photo ©: Rachel Burke
The huge field Photo ©: Rachel Burke	Riders were still Photo ©: Rachel Burke	Is that really water, Photo ©: Rachel Burke	Riders make their way Photo ©: Rachel Burke
There were a lot of cheer squads Photo ©: Rachel Burke	Riders took advantage Photo ©: Rachel Burke	One of the spectacular historic buildings Photo ©: Rachel Burke	With such a long journey, Photo ©: Rachel Burke
Riders recover Photo ©: Rachel Burke	Look Mum - no hands!! Photo ©: Rachel Burke	A rider recovers Photo ©: Rachel Burke	Go Torpedo!!!! Photo ©: Rachel Burke
After over 100kms, Photo ©: Rachel Burke	Tandem riders Photo ©: Rachel Burke	Climbing the last hill Photo ©: Rachel Burke	Pats on the back all round Photo ©: Rachel Burke
Everyone had a unique way Photo ©: Rachel Burke	Powering to the finish line. Photo ©: Rachel Burke	Riding out of the saddle Photo ©: Rachel Burke	Impressive! Photo ©: Rachel Burke
A very proud dad Photo ©: Rachel Burke	There were bikes Photo ©: Rachel Burke	Just finishing Photo ©: Rachel Burke	The agony and relief Photo ©: Rachel Burke
A true credit Photo ©: Rachel Burke	All in a day's work Photo ©: Rachel Burke	Many riders celebrated Photo ©: Rachel Burke	Although not the event jersey, Photo ©: Rachel Burke
Look Mum - no feet!! Photo ©: Rachel Burke	Celebrating the finish. Photo ©: Rachel Burke	Determination.. Photo ©: Rachel Burke	A kodak moment.. Photo ©: Rachel Burke
Almost a flying finish. Photo ©: Rachel Burke	What a support crew. Photo ©: Rachel Burke	A Tungkillo resident Photo ©: Rachel Burke	Riders cool down Photo ©: Rachel Burke
Well wishes Photo ©: Rachel Burke	Cheering on the riders. Photo ©: Rachel Burke

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