Pick your ride

The Rides - Overview

The Start Finish is from Royal Park via Park St, Launceston.

There will be 4 rides of different challenge levels with riding distances of 25km, 45km, 95km and the pinnacle event is the 140km ride with participants cycling down the Western side of the Tamar to Clarence Point, then boarding a Ferry to take them to the other side, and cycle back to Launceston.

Participants will enjoy stunning views of the Tamar River on the Western journey and cycle through historic townships such as Beaconsfield and Beauty Point. On the way back from George Town the ride leaves the River and journeys through picturesque rural settings before re-entering the Northern suburbs of Launceston and rejoining the River again.

The rides will start at varying times with the goal that everyone will finish at a similar time.

Participants must be 16 years of age or older unless a member of a cycling club.

41 Degrees South 25km Challenge

Entry Fee: $25 Starts: 11.30am

1. Starting in Park St, Royal Park, Cyclists turn right on to Paterson St, left on to Margaret St go straight over Brisbane St, then right on to York St proceeding over the Paterson Bridge on to West Tamar Hwy.
2. Proceed to Legana shopping centre round about and return. Back over the Paterson Bridge into Brisbane St.
3. Turn left into Margaret St then right into Paterson St and left into Park St and on to the finish line.

Launceston Skoda 45km Challenge

Entry Fee: $30 Starts: 10.30am

1. Starting in Park St, Royal Park, cyclists turn right on to Paterson St, left on to Margaret St. go straight over Brisbane St, then right on to York St proceeding over the Paterson Bridge on to West Tamar Hwy.
2. Proceed to End of Rosevears drive turning around the marker at the "Ernie Gatenby's fish shop" 22.1 km prior to West Tamar hwy junction then return back along Rosevears Drive, left to West Tamar Highway, through Riverside, over the Paterson bridge into Brisbane St.
3. Turn left into Margaret St then right into Paterson St and left into Park St and on to the finish line.

Forestry Tasmania Community Assist 95km

Entry Fee: $40 Starts: 9.30am

Food and water during the ride and Lunch included in entry fee. See map for food locations.

1. Starting in Park St, Royal Park, cyclists turn right on to Paterson St, left on to Margaret St, go straight over Brisbane St, then right on to York St proceeding over the Paterson Bridge on to West Tamar Hwy.
2. Proceed down West Tamar Hwy, turn right into Rosevears Drive continue along Rosevears Drive, turn right onto West Tamar Highway to Blackwall turn off. Follow the road through Gravelly beach and Deviot.
3. Turn right on to Batman Hwy and cross the Batman Bridge. Turn right on to East Tamar Hwy and proceed.
4. Turn right at Johnsons Rd towards Hillwood. Follow road along back to rivers edge turn on left on to Hillwood Jetty Rd. Proceed past football ground, veer left at the shop heading up hill.
5. Turn right on Hillwood Rd proceed approx 1 km then turn right then left on to Dalrymple Rd. Proceed approx 1km then turn right on to the Old Bangor Tram Rd. proceed 9km before turning right on to the Pipers river rd. proceed through Karoola and Turners marsh. Turn right on to Lilydale Rd.
6. Turn left at Rocherlea Tavern and follow northern outlet over Charles St Bridge turning right at Paterson St cyclists need to get into right hand lane here then right into Park St and on to the finish line.

Tasmanian Perpetual Trustees 140km Challenge

Entry Fee: $60 (inc ferry crossing) Starts: 7.30am

Food and water during the ride and Lunch included in entry fee. See map for food locations.

1. Starting in Park St, Royal Park, cyclists turn right on to Paterson St, left on to Margaret St, go straight over Brisbane St, then right on to York St proceeding over the Paterson Bridge on to West Tamar Hwy.
2. Proceed down West Tamar hwy, TURN RIGHT INTO Rosevears Drive, continue along Rosevears Drive, turn right into the West Tamar Highway continue to Blackwall turn off. Follow the road through Gravelly beach and Deviot.
3. Turn left on Batman Hwy then turn right on Rowella Rd to Rowella Proceed past Ald Kirk road, Turning left on to Auburn Rd at top of the hill. Cycle past Tamar Ridge wines on the right , UP Goaty Hill and on to Beaconsfield.
4. Turn right on to West Tamar Hwy and proceed through Beauty point past beauty point tourist park. Toilets available on the esplanade. and along West Arm Rd.
5. Turn right on to Greens Beach Rd Travel approx 4 km then turn right and proceed to Clarence Point Pontoon/Boat ramp.
6. Ferry will transport to York Cove, George Town. Disembark at resort pontoons.
7. Left into Franklin St, Right into East Tamar Highway A8. Ride to East Tamar Hwy and turn right. Proceed 5.1 km then turn left on to the Bridport Rd.
8. Travel 7.2 km then turn right on to Dalrymple rd (old East Tamar hwy) proceed south then turn left on to the Old Bangor Tram Rd.
9. Proceed 9km before turning right on to the Pipers river Rd. Proceed through Karoola and Turners marsh. Beware of rail crossing at top of hill. Turn right on to Lilydale Rd.
10. Turn left at Rocherlea tavern and follow northern outlet over Charles St Bridge turning right at Paterson St then right into Park St and on to the finish line.

Tales of the Ride

Trying out the 95

"I had never ridden 95km so I set off with a couple of friends to attempt the new distance. The first part of the ride to the fish shop was a fairly familiar ride for us all. It was good to continue on instead of turning round and coming back.

Then on to the Batman Bridge via Gravelly Beach, which is a scenic ride along the Tamar. We had ridden this part before and again were glad to be riding on and not turning back.

Crossing the Batman Bridge was a new experience and riding from there to the East Tamar Highway was the only part of the ride where we encountered a few fast moving cars and trucks. Not long after we hit the East Tamar Highway and slowed a little for the road works (which are now finished) we were turning right in to Hillwood and once again we had the road to ourselves. Passing the odd vineyard and green paddocks we completed the Hillwood route and crossed the Highway and headed off towards Karoola.

We rode on through the countryside up and down a few small hills wondering if we would ever see Launceston again. It was great to still be off the main Highway and supposedly heading home. After Karoola we encountered our first real hill we ran out of gears but not out off puff and all made it to the top eventually.

Our legs were now tiring but once we reached Finger Post Hill we had about 12km to finish. What a finish it was, fast down hill just what we needed, fantastic. We made it and loved it. What a great loop for a ride and keeping off the main roads."