Tassie Loop: Looking Back

26 Feb 2014
Now a few days after completing the ride.  We are sitting in a small wooden cabin (with tin roof), a log fire and a glass or two of Tassie sparkling.
Tasmania is an amazing island.  Hills (lots of them), coastline, parks, animals and birds.  It has been a great trip.  About 1050km of cycling but god knows how many metres climbed or free wheeled downhill afterwards.  It was a workout but without doubt, worthwhile.
So many highlights to mention but arriving in Hobart ahead of schedule and just before David's 70th was special.  Friends, Peter and Sue, had flown over from Adelaide and we joined up (by sheer coincidence) with Dianne and Julia for the birthday bash at the Me Wah Restaurant in Hobart.
Now we have unwound by hiring a car and visiting the area south of Hobart: Bruny Island (with its albino wallabies), Huon Valley, the amazing forests at Tahune and Port Arthur where it all started with the thousands of convicts sent from the UK to open up and start a new country.
It's been great cycling and keeping this journal and thanks for reading.
David and Irene

Banquet with friends at the Me Wah

White wallaby -  Bruny Island

Florita Riesling and Bruny Island oysters

Tessellated pavement at Eaglehawk Neck

Closing the Tassie Loop: Hamilton to Cambridge (Full Circle)

20 Feb 2014
Apart from 3 stiff climbs, it was mostly flat or downhill.  We galloped along to Hobart.  There, we crossed the Tasman Bridge - done once, never again.  The wind was huge and the bike lane was narrow,  but we could not fall into the sea or the motorway.  Eventually, we arrived at our start point, the Travelodge in Cambridge.
Distance: 90km

Black swans

Morris Commercial 'ute'

Barn

Never again!

Tassie Loop: Lake St Clair to Hamilton

19 Feb 2014
Woke early with a possum sniffing around the tent.  It started to rain, but managed to get away without getting too wet.  On the way back to the main road, we said hello to a few wallabies who stood in bewilderment of two idiots riding in the rain.  Found a little cafe and had a full English - it was so big that we packed half for later in the morning.  Really got going with flattish roads until we reached the turnoff for Laughing Jack Lagoon. A shortcut, but really rough gravel track and having to jump into ditches once we heard the big logging trucks.  Although it saved distance, it was a real workout for the bikes and us.
We then hit the main road and a very fast undulating ride to Wayatinah, an old hydroelectric village, but since we felt OK, we decided to push on to Ouse.  It was a tough section, despite long stretches of descent.  Was nearly knocked off the bike by a young girl driving badly.  Unfortunately for her, she had stopped at the cafe in Ouse, so I confronted her politely and explained the rules of the road.
We met up with a father and son from the Czech Republic.  They said they were pushing onto Hamilton, so we thought 'Why not?'  The road was fast and downhill.  Found the campsite alongside the river and went to the local hotel for a great pizza 'Mafiosi'.  Met up again with out Czech friends, George and Henry.  They had hoped to cycle 100km per day but Tasmania beat them. They told us how cycling had bonded father and son and was a great outlet after work.  Having sold their IT company, they had more time.  It was a pleasant evening with two lovely people.
Distance: 98km

This early Bennett's wallaby was happy to pose for a photo

The Laughing Jack Lagoon shortcut

Hamilton

Tassie Loop: Lake Burbury to Lake St Clair

18 Feb 2014
We feared this day.  First, Victoria's Pass and then a monster climb that took nearly 2 hours.  Throughout our route, we were cycling along the upper limit of the Franklin Gordon Wild Rivers National Park.  After that, we coasted down to Lake St Clair.   Lovely lake but pretty disorganised campsite, the worst so far.  Luckily there is a very helpful receptionist.  Restaurant was full so we went to the local Derwent Bridge hotel.  We ate smoked trout with veggies and a decent bottle of Sauvignon Blanc from the Adelaide Hills.
Distance: 71km

The long undulating road

Echidna

Lake St Clair

Tassie Loop: Rosebery to Lake Burbery via Queenstown

17 Feb 2014
This was a tough day -  back to rolling hills.  Queenstown, an area of devastation after copper mining, has removed all trees .  Had a delicious pizza capricciosa made by a young Italian lady from Turin.  Stocked up on food at the supermarket as there will be no supplies for the next 170km.  Rested at the park under the pavilion erected by the Lions Club.
A twisty climb out of town to Gormanston but gradient was manageable, then downhill to lake campsite.  A huge oval with just 2 camper vans. Cooked up our sausages with raisin bread and avocado spread (ugh!) and to bed.
Distance: 77km

Rest after climbing out of Queenstown

Views of Lake Burbury

Tassie Loop: Cradle Mountain to Rosebery

16 Feb 2014
Awoke to changeable weather, but it did not rain.
A typical up and down day, through wild country.  A long hill climb up to 930m (highest to-date).  Lots of road works on the A10.  Fortunately, being Sunday, it was quiet on the roads.  At Tullah, we went to an old-fashioned tavern - all in one- sports bar, cafe, easy chairs, fruit machines in one huge barn.  Then a 5-km climb up Mt Black and descent into Rosebery which is a mining town looking for gold, zinc, copper, whatever!  Good supermarket, friendly well-organised campsite with spongy grass.
Distance: 68km

Camping in Rosebery

Tassie Loop: Cethana to Cradle Mountain

15 Feb 2014
We waited until Dale opened the cafe and had a decent breakfast.  We knew we were in for a tough (very tough) early ride.  The hill to Moina did not disappoint, but it was Saturday, so thankfully no trucks, just bloody motorcyclists.  They came in waves at crazy speed.
We met up with an American who was on a mad project to cycle around Tasmania in 90 hours, all 1200 km.  His group of 18 did not carry any kit and were supported by a backup van.  The fellow we spoke to had not stopped in 24 hours.  Good luck mate!
We made Cradle Mountain camp - pitched tent and took the shuttle bus up to Dove Lake.  It was stunning.
We had a little friend join us at the tent - a little Pademelon.  Looking for food but we could not feed him as it will affect his gums and lead to 'Lumpy Jaw' disease.
Huge camp kitchen, full of Chinese, Eastern Europeans, Germans and the odd Aussie.  We had buttered chicken curry - using the microwave since we don't carry all the pots and pans of the caravaners.
Peter Barry texted to say that he is coming to Tas and we will meet up somewhere around the 22nd.
Distance: 34km

Emu in a farm en route to Cradle Mountain

Dove Lake

David amidst the button grass

Pademelon

Wombat