At one time, the race was held over 150 miles (1932) before settling in its present format that focuses on races around Burra.

The 2009 race featured a return trip to Mount Bryan then six circuits around the town as well as junior 40 km race and junior 20 km scratch races. Cyclists competed for $6000 in cash and prizes.

As bike riding became an established form of transport, councils have slowly acknowledged their importance in urban design and introduced bicycle plans featuring designated bike lanes and bike stands.

This is an ongoing process, driven by demand, so the more people cycle, the more governments are forced to provide safer ways for people to commute or enjoy cycling as a form of recreation.

In 1985, local schools campaigned for safe bike tracks which spurred the then Clare District Council to access money from the State Bicycle Fund to create a bicycle track on Inchiquin Hill to make it safer for children to ride to school.

Cycling once again became a highly visible form of recreation and politicians were quick to jump on the band wagon- or, in this case, the bike seat, and be seen to cycle.

The Northern Argus, available at the Clare Regional History Collection, has photographs of then Liberal leader John Olsen riding in a Heart Foundation Cyclathon in 1985 – an event promoted by the local Lions Club and won by Steve Duke who completed 105 km over 35 laps of the course.

As recently as 2006, Clare and Gilbert Valleys Council held a public meeting to update the Clare Bike Plan to better meet the needs of residents who are once again embracing cycling with a passion.

Such is the interest surrounding the 2010 Tour Down Under which starts in Clare on January 19 that there is talk among local bike riders of reforming, yet again, the Clare Cycling Club- third time lucky perhaps.

The development of The Riesling Trail has opened up cycling to all and sundry and has provided a welcome point of difference for holiday-makers.

Used by walkers and runners as well as occasional cyclists, family groups, small children and dedicated cyclists, the trail has provided an economic boost for tourism as well as a relaxed recreational option for locals and visitors.

In recent times, cycling has really hit the big time with the growing interest in the Tour Down Under.

This annual event showcases cycling in all its glory, finely tuned athletes pitting themselves against the best in the world in a sport demanding dedication, endurance and teamwork.

But before we are swept away with the hype and intensity of the Tour, let us remind ourselves once more of the humble beginnings of bicycles and the important part bicycles played in the lives of many people during the past 120 years.

A perfect example of this is the historic bike that will be on display at the Tour Down Under, thanks to the generosity of the Marsson family of Watervale.

This bike belonged to Josiah Spencer (Spence) Marsson (1878-1975).

Spence rode it to Clare in 1900.

He had been living in Adelaide and working brutally long hours, six days a week at a mattress factory.

Fearing he would be laid off because of a downturn in business, he set off on his bike one Monday morning.

His mother gave him a postage stamp to ensure he could write home to let her know where he was.

Like many pioneers before him, he headed north until at Templers, just before the bridge, he had a puncture.

The ever-resourceful Spence used the stamp to repair the tube, which he also wrapped in his handkerchief, before pumping up his tyre to continue on his journey!

He arrived in Clare that night and walked into the front bar of the Bentleys where he was befriended by a couple of locals who suggested he try for a job at a property on Slaughterhouse Road.

The owners wanted someone to look after some dogs (possibly greyhounds or coursing dogs).

Although Spence knew nothing about dogs, he cycled out and convinced the people to take him on so he could learn on the job.

He expanded his rural knowledge to include pruning and worked for the Stanley Wine Company as well as the Lloyd family vineyard on Spring Farm Road.

He had a great love of music and played several instruments, performing at local dances

Spence rode his bicycle all his life, never owning a car, although he married and had five children.

When he moved to Adelaide in the 1950s, he took his bike with him.

He was still riding around, with his granddaughters when he was 90 years of age. Spence lived until he was 96, passing away in 1975.

Spence typifies the many millions of people who gained freedom and a reliable form of transport with the introduction of bikes.

The unique joys of bike riding set up a special relationship between bike and owner that continues to this day.

– This is the fourth in a series of articles on the district’s cycling history by Sue Wurst of the Clare Regional History Group in the lead-up to the Santos Tour Down Under, which will pass through the Clare Valley on January 19.