Sunday 23 January 2011
Decided on an early lunch as I may have to stop for fuel on the way to town. Fortunately the fuel held out for me and reached my destination without drama. Parking was straightforward, just cruise along War Memorial Drive about 100 metres and voila, a suitable parking space appeared. One of the disadvantages of driving a car on days like to today is having to find somewhere big enough to park it.
I found my "spot" on Montefiore Rd about 25-30 metres north of War Memorial Drive. From where I stood, I was able to watch the riders approach the corner, giving me more time to prepare for my shot/s.
Took the opportunity to shoot riders doing their warm-up laps, including eventual winner Cameron Meyer and Stuart O'Grady.
The race proper comprises 20 x 4.5Km laps and commenced on time at 13:15 and the riders set a cracking pace from the word go. There was a breakaway group at the front for all but the last lap and the result went down to the wire. Cameron Meyer finished victorious by just 2 seconds from Matt Goss. It was also Lance's last professional race outside of the USA.
I managed to shoot some reasonable photos on all laps, but the pace of the riders made it a little more difficult.
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Stage 5 - Willunga circuit
Saturday 22 January 2011
After a quick lunch, I packed my gear and head for old Willunga Hill. From previous visits, I've got my spot picked out, about 2km from the top. Getting there can be an interesting exercise. Like most I followed the main road (Willunga by pass), up the hill and parked my bike. The a short treck on foot and a very steep descent (controlled fall in my case :() and I had arrived.
I positioned myself about 50 metres from the bend and this enabled me to see the riders approach from some distance, giving me plenty of time to get ready for what I hope will be some decent shots. I checked my gear and fired a few practice shots to make sure all was go.
After about a 30 minute wait the first group of riders arrived, and slowly the others followed. The hill was having its affect and causing the ride group to stretch out. Probably more than some of the riders intended ;)
About half an hour later they started to come through again for their second ascent. This time stretch was even more apparent, with the end stragglers, Cavendish and co at least 6 minutes behind the front riders. Due to the gaps between riding groups, some of the spectators had started to walk down the hill, apparently unaware that the green light van hadn't appeared, indicating to me at least that more riders were still to come into view. A couple of intermediate groups did not have a police escort, meaning they had to dodge spectators walking down the road, not good for the riders! You would think that after all these years spectators would know the drill.
After the green light van had passed I made my way back up the steep incline back to the road and headed for home. Whilst waiting to cross the road I noticed some recreational cyclist travelling down the main road at considerable speed with no apparent regard for their own or others' safety.
Next stage - Adelaide circuit (Final Stage)
After a quick lunch, I packed my gear and head for old Willunga Hill. From previous visits, I've got my spot picked out, about 2km from the top. Getting there can be an interesting exercise. Like most I followed the main road (Willunga by pass), up the hill and parked my bike. The a short treck on foot and a very steep descent (controlled fall in my case :() and I had arrived.
I positioned myself about 50 metres from the bend and this enabled me to see the riders approach from some distance, giving me plenty of time to get ready for what I hope will be some decent shots. I checked my gear and fired a few practice shots to make sure all was go.
After about a 30 minute wait the first group of riders arrived, and slowly the others followed. The hill was having its affect and causing the ride group to stretch out. Probably more than some of the riders intended ;)
About half an hour later they started to come through again for their second ascent. This time stretch was even more apparent, with the end stragglers, Cavendish and co at least 6 minutes behind the front riders. Due to the gaps between riding groups, some of the spectators had started to walk down the hill, apparently unaware that the green light van hadn't appeared, indicating to me at least that more riders were still to come into view. A couple of intermediate groups did not have a police escort, meaning they had to dodge spectators walking down the road, not good for the riders! You would think that after all these years spectators would know the drill.
After the green light van had passed I made my way back up the steep incline back to the road and headed for home. Whilst waiting to cross the road I noticed some recreational cyclist travelling down the main road at considerable speed with no apparent regard for their own or others' safety.
Next stage - Adelaide circuit (Final Stage)
Stage 3 - Unley to Stirling
It's Thursday, 20 January 2011 and I'm busily preparing to travel to my photo spot for today's stage from Unley to Stirling (actually Darlington to Stirling, as the route between Stirling and Darlington is race neutral).
The race actually heads south along the full length of the southern expressway which has been closed early for the race.
As I'm still recuperating from an unexpected bout of illness, I decided to travel to the same spot as last year, on the corner of Ostrich Farm Road and Victor Harbor Road (only about 15 minutes travel for me).
Whilst waiting for the riders to ascend towards my post, some dude approached and queried the waiting time. When I responded, he left again. At that point the riders were about 25 minutes away.
After a while, the police escort and race officials appeared, signalling to oncoming motorists to pull over. I dreaded the thought of losing my view due to some errant parking by these wayward motorists, but I was relieved to find this did not eventuate.
I was impressed by the sheer speed of some riders in ascending the hill, which although not very long, does have quite a steep section along the way, which was in contrast to the main peloton which seemed to be in cruise mode.
After the race passed, indicated by the green light van, I decided not to chance my luck healthwise and returned home for a rest and to assess my photos.
Next stage - Willunga circuit (Stage 5)
The race actually heads south along the full length of the southern expressway which has been closed early for the race.
As I'm still recuperating from an unexpected bout of illness, I decided to travel to the same spot as last year, on the corner of Ostrich Farm Road and Victor Harbor Road (only about 15 minutes travel for me).
Whilst waiting for the riders to ascend towards my post, some dude approached and queried the waiting time. When I responded, he left again. At that point the riders were about 25 minutes away.
After a while, the police escort and race officials appeared, signalling to oncoming motorists to pull over. I dreaded the thought of losing my view due to some errant parking by these wayward motorists, but I was relieved to find this did not eventuate.
I was impressed by the sheer speed of some riders in ascending the hill, which although not very long, does have quite a steep section along the way, which was in contrast to the main peloton which seemed to be in cruise mode.
After the race passed, indicated by the green light van, I decided not to chance my luck healthwise and returned home for a rest and to assess my photos.
Next stage - Willunga circuit (Stage 5)
Adelaide Classic
Sunday 16 January 2011 saw the Tour Down Under get underway in Rymill Mill Park, Adelaide. The womens' support race started 5 minutes early at 15:55 and lasted about half an hour, with plenty of action and aggression by the girls.
placeholder for photos
With that race over there was about 2 hours to kill - what next? We attended the area adjacent to the presentation area where the various teams lined up to be presented on stage to the very large crowd. Whilst the teams were waiting to be called to the stage, we availed ourselves of the opportunity to photograph them. Most were very obliging, except one rider - Lance. Upon arrival at the staging area he immediately made a beeline for an area nearest the stage to be greeted by our state leader and some wannabes and also rans. Not a good look for the fans.
placeholder for photos
The men's race commenced at 18:45 and ran for about an hour and a quarter. A longer race, with limited excitement on the sprint laps due to the small breakaway group. Winners' prizemoney on the night was donated to the Queensland flood victims.
placeholder for photos
Next stage (for me) Thu 20 Jan Unley to Stirling
placeholder for photos
With that race over there was about 2 hours to kill - what next? We attended the area adjacent to the presentation area where the various teams lined up to be presented on stage to the very large crowd. Whilst the teams were waiting to be called to the stage, we availed ourselves of the opportunity to photograph them. Most were very obliging, except one rider - Lance. Upon arrival at the staging area he immediately made a beeline for an area nearest the stage to be greeted by our state leader and some wannabes and also rans. Not a good look for the fans.
placeholder for photos
The men's race commenced at 18:45 and ran for about an hour and a quarter. A longer race, with limited excitement on the sprint laps due to the small breakaway group. Winners' prizemoney on the night was donated to the Queensland flood victims.
placeholder for photos
Next stage (for me) Thu 20 Jan Unley to Stirling
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)