Tasmania UniTour 2009

Day 5 by Tony

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Timing was important today in order to arrive at Hobart’s Salamanca Markets at midday. We had a more relaxed 9:30am start today, with Aubin and Nick managing to fit in a game of pool and a few rounds of frisball before setting out. We had a slight navigational error early on, with Tynan and I on one road and the others on a parallel road. We yelled at them and they found the way, through the slightly devious shortcut through a B&B’s grounds. The terrain was rolling countryside and the first few kilometres of the day through vinyard country slipped by easily enough.

I realised after riding 7km that I’d left my phone behind at the campground. Luckily Barry went back to get it and it was still there, happily charging away.

There were some narrow rides on the route to Hobart and sometimes cars had trouble passing us. I passed a line of 10 cars who were backed up behind Nick and Aubin. It was really cool to pass cars on the open road. There were a few navigational challenges today and Tynan narrowly avoided going on to the freeway.

We regrouped before the Tasman Bridge and rode the narrow path beside the multi-lane road in single file.

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The descent on the other side of the bridge was a bit sketchy with a cross wind and various head-height obstacles to dodge.

A cameraman from the local TV news was waiting for us on the other side. This wouldn’t be the last of the media we’d see today. We continued along a bike path and met another TV crew and newspaper photographer by the Cenotaph. Aubin was interviewed and photographed extensively as we other riders were told to relax and lounge in the background. Numerous photos later, media star Aubin was released from his duties and we continued on to the Salamanca Markets.

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I got to ride a local street performer’s DM giraffe around the markets.

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Karin’s friend hooked us up with some delicious veggie pies for lunch.

The ride continued along the coastal road out of Hobart, gradually climbing for several kilometres up Bonnet Hill. The descent on the other side was a perfect gradient for my Schlumpf 36”. I could pedal at a high cadence, yet the road wasn’t steep enough to need a brake.

The downhill kept going for several kilometres, much to my delight, finishing in Kingston where we had our second lunch stop of the day. The Breadd (yes two ‘d’s!) café produced some amazingly tasty bread rolls for us and all for free! Thanks Breadd!

After second lunch we took a slight detour to Aubin’s school which was at the end of a short road that was in turns, industrial, residential, conservation land and brand spanking new developments. Very odd indeed! A few photos later Tynan and I were on the road again to Aubin’s house at Allen’s Rivulet.

My knees were hurting and Tynan’s ankles were suffering by this point. We left the comfort of the sealed road on to Allen’s Rivulet Rd and battled the final few kilometres uphill through beautiful bucolic landscapes. It was a
great relief to see the other riders waiting by the gate of Aubin’s house.

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The end of the tour (for most riders) was celebrated with a BBQ and beers by the fire. Sid, the Outdoor Ed major, was taught how to toast marshmallows over the fire. I wrote this story by firelight on Barry’s laptop, interspersed with sips of beers and pats of Chaz the dog.

Today’s distance: 62.60km
Riding time: 3:52:27
Average speed: 16.1km/hr
Maximum speed: 34.9km/hr