Get cycling down under

Good food, acres of vineyards, summer sunshine and a gruelling cycling race would usually bring to mind the Tour de France, but holidaymakers looking for winter sun can get a similar experience from the Tour Down Under.

The event, which will be celebrating its tenth anniversary this year, takes place during the thick of the British winter, from January 20th to 27th 2008.

Based in the state of South Australia, the event starts and finishes in the city of Adelaide, with the opening race taking place in the beach-side suburb of Glenelg, and the finale a 16-lap of a circuit in Adelaide city centre.

The Tour Down Under is expected to get around half a million visitors, and will this year present holidaymakers who want to experience some of the tour for themselves a chance to ride a stage.

For around AUD $100 any rider can test their cycling ability with the 134 kilometre (84 mile) Mutual Community Challenge Tour from Mannum to Strathalbyn.

There is also a shorter route available for the same price for those not wishing test their endurance, which runs from Woodside to Strathalbyn, and is 73.5 kilometres long (around 46 miles).

Families can also get peddling and experience the roads just like the professionals, with a short ride available as part of the Fun Tour, which costs AUD $20 for those aged eight to 14 and AUD $33 adults.

For more information on the race see the Tour Down Under official website www.tourdownunder.com.au/2008

If you are looking for an all-out Tour Down Under experience, Bridge and Wickers has launched a new eight-day cycling holiday departing in January 2008 from £1,256 with a chance to ride all or some of the open road stages before the race, and VIP area viewpoints to watch the race.

The trip also includes transportation to and from stages of the tour, full support, and some evening meals and bike hire, but does not include flights.

Other tour operators with cycling holidays in Australia include Responsible Travel, Austravel and Australia-based ROC Tours Australia.