The Challenge South Austaliais your chance to take on the iconic climbs from the Tour Down Under!

The Challenge is, as the name suggests, a ride that starts in Adelaide, South Australia. Enjoy the breathtaking scenery of iconic descents and the world-renowned food and wine of the region, experience stunning vistas with tough, made-for-cyclists climbs and intoxicating long, rolling valley roads. Experience it all, and earn lifetime memories and friendships, as part of Challenge South Australia. 

This event was previously known as the Adelaide Smiddy Challenge, and has now been renamed.

Internationally-acclaimed wine regions, stunning coastlines and rolling valleys—South Australia’s most life-affirming cycling getaway awaits you.  

Devour a course designed by cycling royalty Annette ‘Nettie’ Edmondson, a 3 x world champion, Olympian and assistant Tour Down Under race director.  Nettie is a proud Mater Smiling for Smiddy ambassador and has designed a course specially for Smiddy riders.  

Both challenging and accessible, it allows us to smile, chat and laugh the day away, all whilst pedalling from Adelaide to McLaren Vale, the world-famous Barossa and Eden Valley. There’s even ‘go at your own pace’ sections where Nettie, and those willing to join a pulsating attack, can dive into the pain cave.  

This is a unique 3 or 5 day cycling challenge and a unforgettable life-affirming journey.  

Challenge South Australia has everything you want in a multi-day cycling challenge. Supported by Smiddy’s renowned support crew—this is a safe, inspiring and luxury bike tour with a little extra heart and soul. 

Best of all, you’ll be sharing this experience with an amazing like-minded community working to make a game-changing impact for cancer research at Mater?  You’ll be raising money for Mater Research, funding research projects that will make a difference to the lives of those suffering from melanoma, prostate, ovarian and breast cancer. Support will be given to help you to meet your fundraising requirement. 

This is the second Smiddy Challenge, with the first riding from Townsville to Brisbane – The Original Smiddy Challenge: Townsville to Brisbane.

This sounds like a great ride with many iconic climbs that you can tick off from your Bucket List.

Adelaide is the capital of South Australia Is the westernmost capital along the south-east corner of Australia.  The Challenge South Australia is held in March, the first month of Autumn when the weather is generally temperate. You’ll find temperatures from between 5 through to 30 or 35 degrees. Expect to have dry conditions during the rides but you may experience some drizzle which should clear quickly.

You’ll find other cycling events, like the Adelaide Smiddy Challenge, in our online Cycling Event Calendar.

Enjoy!