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A sea of ochre floods the Mutual Community Challenge Tour

By Cycling News

published 25 January 2008

A record number of amateur cyclists tested their stamina and fitness this week on the same route as...

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Riders round the first bend(Image credit: Rachel Burke)

Spectators cheer on the field(Image credit: Rachel Burke)

One of the Tour Down Under artworks(Image credit: Rachel Burke)

A corrugated iron cyclist decorates(Image credit: Rachel Burke)

The police join(Image credit: Rachel Burke)

A team from New South Wales,(Image credit: Rachel Burke)

Showing true team spirit(Image credit: Rachel Burke)

A couple of riders keen(Image credit: Rachel Burke)

Riders looked relaxed(Image credit: Rachel Burke)

Smiles all round.(Image credit: Rachel Burke)

With such an early start(Image credit: Rachel Burke)

Taking it all in(Image credit: Rachel Burke)

Local Adelaide resident,(Image credit: Rachel Burke)

Say Cheese - riders pose(Image credit: Rachel Burke)

A perfect location to start(Image credit: Rachel Burke)

Definitely worth(Image credit: Rachel Burke)

A tightly packed field(Image credit: Rachel Burke)

The lead riders make their way(Image credit: Rachel Burke)

The race gets the thumbs up(Image credit: Rachel Burke)

Good hydration the secret(Image credit: Rachel Burke)

With over 3,000 riders,(Image credit: Rachel Burke)

Strike a pose(Image credit: Rachel Burke)

Sun smart(Image credit: Rachel Burke)

A lot of determination(Image credit: Rachel Burke)

Spectators watched on(Image credit: Rachel Burke)

Not missing any of the action,(Image credit: Rachel Burke)

Riders dig deep(Image credit: Rachel Burke)

The constant field of orange(Image credit: Rachel Burke)

The huge field(Image credit: Rachel Burke)

Riders were still(Image credit: Rachel Burke)

Is that really water,(Image credit: Rachel Burke)

Riders make their way(Image credit: Rachel Burke)

There were a lot of cheer squads(Image credit: Rachel Burke)

Riders took advantage(Image credit: Rachel Burke)

One of the spectacular historic buildings(Image credit: Rachel Burke)

With such a long journey,(Image credit: Rachel Burke)

Riders recover(Image credit: Rachel Burke)

Look Mum - no hands!!(Image credit: Rachel Burke)

A rider recovers(Image credit: Rachel Burke)

Go Torpedo!!!!(Image credit: Rachel Burke)

After over 100kms,(Image credit: Rachel Burke)

Tandem riders(Image credit: Rachel Burke)

Climbing the last hill(Image credit: Rachel Burke)

Pats on the back all round(Image credit: Rachel Burke)

Everyone had a unique way(Image credit: Rachel Burke)

Powering to the finish line.(Image credit: Rachel Burke)

Riding out of the saddle(Image credit: Rachel Burke)

Impressive!(Image credit: Rachel Burke)

A very proud dad(Image credit: Rachel Burke)

There were bikes(Image credit: Rachel Burke)

Just finishing(Image credit: Rachel Burke)

The agony and relief(Image credit: Rachel Burke)

A true credit(Image credit: Rachel Burke)

All in a day's work(Image credit: Rachel Burke)

Many riders celebrated(Image credit: Rachel Burke)

Although not the event jersey,(Image credit: Rachel Burke)

Look Mum - no feet!!(Image credit: Rachel Burke)

Celebrating the finish.(Image credit: Rachel Burke)

Determination..(Image credit: Rachel Burke)

A kodak moment..(Image credit: Rachel Burke)

Almost a flying finish.(Image credit: Rachel Burke)

What a support crew.(Image credit: Rachel Burke)

A Tungkillo resident(Image credit: Rachel Burke)

Riders cool down(Image credit: Rachel Burke)

Well wishes(Image credit: Rachel Burke)

Cheering on the riders.(Image credit: Rachel Burke)

Tales from the peloton, January 26, 2008

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