Fiona & Lin explore Tasmania
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Fiona was the winner of the 2007 Great Tasmanian Bike Ride Competition
During 2006 & 2007, people could enter a competition to win two return journies on the Spirit of Tasmania and two tickets to ride on the 2007 Great Tasmanian Bike Ride. The winner was Fiona, who stated that she would "Love to cycle in Tasmania because … I love Tassie, love cycling, love winning".
Fiona and Lin joined the Ride, then returned to Tasmania in July 2007 for some more exploring.
What they thought of the Ride
What an incredible treat! Two tickets to the Tassie Ride. Thanks to Bicycle Victoria, I was the lucky winner. From the rainy start in Launceston, where I first rode with cleats and realized I hadn't trained enough, through the hard hills amidst burnt and strangely beautiful forest to St Marys, to the fabulous beaches and a route picturesque enough that stopping for photos was inevitable, it was a great ride.We were very impressed with the Volunteers and the contribution they made to help riders succeed. There was a camaraderie high-lighted by some of the riders. The We-can-do-it Tasmanian women who took up riding in their 50s, the NSW gang who were with a friend who'd come from England especially for the Ride. It's an event that can bring out the best in people, helping one another, and finding ingenious ways to make use of the relatively minimal resources. Making do without a washing machine is fun!
Thank you, Bicycle Victoria, for providing events that stretch us and for helping to make dreams come true.
What they thought of the Return Trip
We're fresh back from Tassie with total gratitude to Bicycle Victoria and the Spirit of Tasmania for enabling us to have the privilege of a week's holiday on the island.
The trip on the boat was great! They gave us a four berth cabin. On the way over, I couldn't resist sleeping on the top bunk. It was a very smooth crossing and I loved being in the little space. Coming back, I chose the bottom bunk and we both slept until the voice came over the loud speaker letting us know we were nearing Melbourne.
We walked in four national parks, saw a few cyclists on the road, retraced our cycle ride from Swansea to Triabunna, in the car (at least it's a hybrid), cruised up the Gordon and I fulfilled a five year dream of visiting Cradle Mountain.
Thanks Fiona and Lin for joining the 2007 Great Tasmanian Bike Ride.
