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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
Sport
Maeve Plouffe

As Adelaide rolls out the welcome mat to cycling world for Tour Down Under, I feel ashamed

Cyclists ride around Adelaide during the Tour Down Under, Australia’s only WorldTour stage race, as rising temperatures affect athletes and tourism in the region
Cyclists ride around Adelaide during the Tour Down Under, Australia’s only WorldTour stage race, as rising temperatures affect athletes and tourism in the region. Photograph: Daniel Kalisz/Getty Images

Sweat rolls off my brow as my legs roll powerless beneath me. Eyes fixed on my glowing bike computer screen, watching as my heart rate climbs faster than the power that can be produced by my legs. 150, 160, 170bpm. How long has that been? I wipe the bead of sweat obscuring the timer. Only five minutes.

I can barely squeeze in each breath, and the walls feel like they’re closing in. Yes, walls. Because it’s not the sun’s glare making this ride unbearable. Outside, it’s freezing. It’s October. But inside, we’re sealed within sterile white walls and glass windows glistening with condensation, sweat puddling on the floor.

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