The Spirit of the Tour lives in all of us – from the young child wobbling their way up the driveway, right through to the sport's most elite. We all feel the same freedom when we ride. And it was this freedom that ŠKODA's founders, Vaclav Laurin and Vaclav Klement, were inspired by as well. So much so, that they started a bicycle journey of their own. And from those humble two-wheeled beginnings, the ŠKODA company we know today was born – born on a bike.

HOW 2 WHEELS BECAME 4...

Which is better? 4 wheels or 2? In the world of of ŠKODA, the answer is both.

When Vaclav Klement bought a bicycle from a German manufacturer which broke shortly afterwards, he teamed up with the bike mechanic Vaclav Laurin, and they began producing their own bicycles.

The cycling spirit has remained important to us since that day and we've honoured that heritage ever since.

From the production of motorbikes in 1899, the two friends built their very first car in 1905 - The Voiturette A which could reach speeds of 25mph (which was very impressive at the time).

A merger with ŠKODA Works, a large industrial company, in 1924 saw the ŠKODA name appear on an automobile for the first time. And the rest, as they say, is history.

Australia's most spectacular bike rides

Why not create your own unique experience by trying out one of our Top 6 cycling routes? We'll be honest, not all of them are your average Sunday amble and many are some of the toughest climbs in the world - explore the routes below to find out more about what you can expect!

The Queen Victoria Loop, Bright, VIC

Widely regarded as Australia's most challenging mountain ride, the Queen Vic Loop is about as close as you'll get to riding in the European Alps on this side of the world. The ride is a roughly 250km loop with around 4,500m of vertical ascent. Ridden anti-clockwise, it takes in the iconic climbs of Tawonga Gap, Mount Hotham - Australia's highest road pass - and the fearsome Back O'Falls climb.

It's not a ride for the faint-hearted, and one that many complete at the end of months-long training programs as part of events like the Peaks Challenge or the Alpine Classic. However, there's nothing quite like emerging from the treeline on Mount Hotham on a clear day and seeing the amazing vista of the the Great Dividing Range, or conquering the 15%+ grades on the Back O'Falls.

While you're in the area...
The truly adventurous can also add in the iconic Mount Buffalo climb to make this a 320km/6,000m day on the bike; local towns Bright, Beechworth and Mount Beauty also boast some excellent MTB trails (as well as a number of superb microbreweries).

The Great Ocean Road, VIC

One of Victoria's most popular tourist destinations, the Great Ocean Road swoops and twists its way around the rugged headlands, coastal towns and surf beaches of the Victorian coast from Geelong to Warrnambool. Popular with motorcyclists, grey nomads and cyclists alike, it's a ride that is best experienced at quieter times of day to avoid vehicular traffic or during a closed-road sportive like Amy's Gran Fondo.

While the road technically starts in Geelong, the most popular section with cyclists is between Lorne and Apollo Bay. The road becomes more challenging after this point, giving riders the choice of hugging the coast to reach iconic tourist spots like the Twelve Apostles or heading uphill and inland into the hinterland before dropping back down into Lorne on a rapid descent.

The Adelaide Hills, SA

Adelaide is the location of the country's biggest cycling festival in late January (the Tour Down Under), but its unique topography makes it a superb cycling destination regardless of time of year.

Head east or south out of the city, ascend one of Adelaide's challenging climbs - Norton Summit, Greenhill or Montacute Road to name just a few - or head north-west on the stunning Gorge Road and you'll enter the criss-crossing network of roads that make up the Adelaide Hills.

Steep bergs, flowing descents, legbreaking climbs like the infamous Corkscrew, snaking valley roads and picture-postcard towns such as Stirling and Hahndorf mean this is less a loop and more of a 'choose your own riding adventure' location - one that always ends with a fast descent back into town.

While you're in the area...
The beaches to the west and south-west of the CBD offer an equally stunning but much flatter riding locale. In addition, the South Australian capital's MTB scene is developing fast, with trail centres like Eagle MTB Park on Mount Barker Road garnering plaudits from around the country.

cycling

Blue Derby, Tasmania

It may surprise you to hear that the second MTB entry on the bucket list isn’t in one of Australia’s typical tourist hot spots - it actually resides in a sleepy corner of North-East Tasmania.

The Blue Derby trails – located near the former tin mining town of Derby (population: 208) – have become one of Australia’s top MTB destinations, hosting the cross-country marathon championships for the last two years. With 55km of trail already built, there’s another 25km due for completion in October 2016 – resulting in a trail network encompassing everything from beginner trail to double-black diamond downhill runs.

The trails work with the local environment to provide the perfect balance of rideability and technical challenge, all while retaining a wilderness feel and preserving nods to the area’s mining heritage. Check it out below.

The Captain Cook Highway, Cairns, QLD

Stretching north of Cairns, the Captain Cook Highway is a tropical counterpart to the Great Ocean Road. Like The Great Ocean Road, the ride features spectacular views of rainforest-coated hills, sandy beaches and azure seas.

While you can ride from Cairns city, a more pleasant departure point is from Palm Cove as you avoid the traffic-heavy northern-bound city roads. The Captain Cook Highway is typically ridden as an out-and-back trip, with multiple turnaround points including the Rex Lookout and hang-glider launch just north of Wangetti or Port Douglas. The truly adventurous, however, can keep going north over the Daintree River and into the prehistoric rainforest all the way to Cape Tribulation - where the cold beer and pizza at PK's Jungle Village are most welcome after the 120km trip from Palm Cove. Just look out for the crocs...

While you're in the area...
Cairns and its surrounding area is another mountain biking mecca, with the Smithfield trails a regular feature on the UCI MTB World Cup as well as hosting the MTB World Championships in 2017. Ranging further afield, trails in Atherton and the legendary Bump Track are must-rides for anyone who likes to range off-road.

The Alpine Epic, Mount Buller, VIC

Australia's most essential rides don't all require you to hit the bitumen, and this one is well worth breaking out the knobbly tyres for. The 43km Alpine Epic is the only IMBA accredited Epic trail in Australia, and is generally regarded as one of the crown jewels in the Antipodean trail network.

It begins at the Mount Buller resort, winding its way further uphill on a twisting, sometimes technical singletrack trail known as Stonefly. From the top of Stonefly, you turn down a fast fireroad which eventually leads you onto the Alpine Epic downhill flow trail: 7km of fast, flowing berms through Alpine forest, enormous ferns and mountain rivers. It is, without doubt, one of the best descents in Australia.

While you're in the area...
The road ascent to Mount Buller is no slouch either, and is well worth breaking out the climbing bike for. The entire area around Mt Buller and Mansfield is also criss-crossed with MTB trails, so why not make it a long weekend on the mountain bike?

Tour de France 2017 Competition

ŠKODA has been the official partner and support vehicle of the Tour de France for 13 years.

In the world of sport, the Tour is the third most watched event (after the Olympics and the Football World Cup). Up to 15 million spectators are present on the race route, while another two billion watch on TV during broadcasts to 200 countries.

Running from Saturday the 4th July to Sunday the 26th July 2015, the 102nd Tour de France is made up of 21 stages and coveringed a total distance of 3,344 kilometres (before ratification).

We’re really excited to be sponsoring this event and to be bringing people closer to the Tour de France action. Now we want to pass on the spirit of the Tour by giving you the chance to win an all-expense paid trip for two people to the 2017 Tour de France. All you have to do is test drive any ŠKODA for your chance to be in the draw to win. Simple!

See our competition page for more information here.

Download Skoda Tour Tracker

Follow the 2016 Tour de France with the Skoda Tour Tracker, the official Tour de France application that gives you in depth access and analysis of every aspect of the world's biggest and most exciting cycling race.

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