Newsroom

Man wearing blue lycra kit rides up slope on white road bike with a misty view of Hobart in the background.
Kunanyi Challenge back for Bike Week

The Kunanyi Challenge is back to help kick off Bike Week this year, not to mention social rides across the state, plus the Super Tuesday commuter count.

The challenge returns on Sunday 3 March after a break last year. Riders will be challenged to complete the 21km climb from Longley to the summit on a closed Pinnacle Road. It's a time trial rather than a race, so prepare to challenge and celebrate your achievements afterwards. The fastest female and male riders will be crowned king and queen of the Mountain, so there is incentive if you seek it.

The challenge is organised by the Hobart Wheelers club. Entry costs $35 for seniors and $15 for juniors, and an AusCycling racing licence is required. You can buy a day licence or a trial licence if you have not held a licence for more than three years.

The other rides planned for the week are more sedate social affairs.

Hobart social rides

In Hobart, Bicycle Network volunteers have put together a range of rides suited to just about every interest.

They kick of with the Queens View ride on Friday 1 March to introduce new e-bikes riders to the many trails on the Queens Domain. After the ride the group will head to the monthly Cycles, Coffee and Chat meet-up at JamPacked to talk all things cycling over coffee.

Folding bike owners will get their chance to shine in the sun on the Flight of the Folders ride out to MONA for coffee on Saturday 2 March.

The Elderslie Dysart Loop on Sunday 3 March is a chance to to get dirty our of town and try your bike out on a longer gravel route on quiet backroads.

And for women wanting to boost their cycling confidence, the International Womens Day ride out to MONA on Friday 8 March provides the sisterhood with a chance to give it a go.

Everyone who comes on one of the free social rides will receive a stylish “What Hills?” t-shirt, celebrating the power of the e-bike (as long as stocks last).

A group of four riders all wear a blue tshirt with What Hills? and a bike symbol on the front.

More social rides may be organised closer to the week, so keep an eye on the Bicycle Network website for updates and details: www.bicyclenetwork.com.au/tasmanianbikeweek

Super Tuesday

Bike Week also includes the Super Tuesday commuter count.

This is where volunteers count people riding between 7am and 9am on Tuesday 5 March at sites throughout greater Hobart.

In return, they get a discount on their Bicycle Network membership fees or a donation to a charity of their choice.

We’ve seen a fall in the numbers of commuter riders since the COVID-19 pandemic, but last year there was a bounce-back at some city sites, so it will be interesting to see if that strengthens this year.

To register as a counter, visit https://counts.bicyclenetwork.com.au/traffic-survey/202/.  You can choose a site to count from the Tasmanian map.

Launceston social rides

The Tamar Bicycles Users Group will run its usual Wednesday and Thursday social rides, followed by the the Bike Week history ride on Friday. 

The always popular history ride will take off from the Riverbend car park on 1 March. Meet at 9.45am and bring lunch and snacks. The ride will tour several historic buildings in Newstead.

The Wednesday morning ride on 6 March will head from Longford to Carrick, a 49km route ridden at a brisk 20–25km/h.

The Thursday night trails around Launceston ride on 7 March is a great introduction for people new to Launceston or new to riding. It varies between 10km and 15km depending on the group and its slow pace captures everyone in the group.

 

Main Image: Eudaimonia Tasmanian Cycling Tours