Thursday 23 January, 2025 Introducing the Adelaide Epic Ride
A fresh challenge awaits in celebration of our milestone 25th anniversary
Introducing the Adelaide Epic Ride at the Santos Tour Down Under: amateur riders’ chance to ride the same route as the world’s best.
This new adventure will cover some of South Australia’s most iconic cycling terrain as it makes its way along the same route as the efex Men's Stage 3 stage. It begins in Norwood and is set to wind through the beautiful Adelaide Hills to a finish in Uraidla.
Riders can tackle a mix of fast flats and gruelling climbs, including the tough new Knotts Hill climb featuring for the first time in Santos Tour Down Under history.
"In my opinion, this climb is equal to, if not harder than Willunga Hill" - Stuart O'Grady
Choose from three distance options: 20km, 85km or the efex Stage 3 start to finish line of 120km.
Be part of this huge year and secure your spot in the Adelaide Epic Ride.
Ride Information
Routes
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120km
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85km
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20km
120km
This is the real deal – with close to 120km of gruelling climbs, twisting turns, and welcoming townships, this course is part of what is being called ‘the toughest stage in a milestone year’ at the 2025 Santos Tour Down Under. Starting in Norwood and climbing up Norton Summit straight out of the gate, you’ll pass through Macclesfield, Ballhannah, Hahndorf, Lenswood and Ashton before finishing in Uraidla.
12 week training guide
Olympian, world champion and current SASI Cycling Scholarship coach at AusCycling Ash Ankudinoff has devised a 12-week training program to get you ready for the challenge. Set a new goal and get it done!
Download the 12 week training guide
Please note: The Adelaide Epic Ride is an Associated Event of the 2025 Santos Tour Down Under. This is a third-party event which is managed and owned by NX Sports. The South Australian Tourism Commission (“SATC”) is not the organiser of this event and is not liable for the planning, execution, or management of any aspect of this event. Whilst care is taken to consult with organisers regarding the associated event, SATC makes no guarantee as to the accuracy of information contained on this webpage or any third-party links and recommends that you contact the event organiser with any queries or requests for up-to-date information.
FAQs
The 2025 Adelaide Epic Ride will take place on Thursday 23 January, 2025.
Registration includes an event jersey (sizes available until sold out), timing, medical support on course and aid stations.
The majority of the race route is open and follows normal South Australian road rules, but in the interests of safety for all road users there are small areas that will be closed with notifications provided accordingly.
There will be special event signage prior to and during the ride, and a traffic control and police presence to ensure that both drivers and riders can share the road harmoniously.
All road closures and impacts will be listed on the Adelaide Epic Ride website at www.adelaideepic.org/roads.
Each participant receives a timing chip. Times are calculated live and will be shared on the Adelaide Epic Ride website.
The Challenge Tour has been a much-loved part of the Santos Tour Down Under for many years. Our fans have told us they want a mass participation ride, and given next year is our 25th year celebration we have worked hard to engage the services of NX Sports to own and manage a new participation ride at our event.
The name change reflects NX Sports ownership of this event and their brand values, but fans can be assured, although the name has changed, the ride will have many elements that fans of the Challenge Tour have come to love.
Official entries close on Sunday 19 January 2025 at 11.59pm.
Yes. All distances have a minimum age for participation.
• 120km* – Minimum age 17 years.
• 85km* – Minimum age 16 years.
• 20km* – Minimum age 14 years.
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Age is calculated as of the event day.
Riders will start from 6.00am.
Yes, you must be satisfied you will meet the minimum average speed criteria needed to complete your course distance within our permitted times. There will be multiple curfew points across the course to ensure that your ride is supported and the event complies with issued permits.
• 120km* – to be calculated on final course approval. Estimated at 18km/hr.
• 85km* – to be calculated on final course approval. Estimated at 18km/hr.
• 20km* – to be calculated on final course approval. Estimated at 12km/hr.
More info on not meeting a curfew is available in the terms and conditions.
For safety reasons, we prefer everyone ride in their Official Event Jersey.
You can use road bikes, mountain bikes, city bikes, hybrid bikes, and cross bikes. E-bikes are permitted.*
Tandem bikes are permitted, and we ask you to please note your machinery on your entry.
As this is a shared road event where keeping your eyes up is imperative, Time Trial Bikes and bikes with tri or aero bars are not permitted.
We do not recommend using a recumbent bike or handcycle due to the difficulty of the course. If you are interested, please call our office.
*Given our curfews for this event, your choice of machinery contingent on being able to maintain the average speed of each distance.
A bag check in will be available at the start precinct to deliver your belongings to the finish line.
Please refer to the road impact table found on the Adelaide Epic Ride website.
