IRode Tassie #7 Lilydale 1 FEB 2025

[Carsten]

Next ride is a Lilydale Tavern, Lilydale on the 1 Feb 25.  Checkin from 12 md to 12.30 pm.
Also posted on Get Togerther Rides and SCDR.

[Taffey]

See you there.

[Carsten]

Another ride completed. 1033 km.  Started on Friday and met up with Taffey.  We rode the west coast to Queenstown, great weather. Taffey peeled off and I finished the west coast and back home for 820km.  Ride up the Midlands Hgh Saturday morning in warming weather to Lilydale.  Met by 3 other finishers.  Taffey, Matt (Zedpilot) and Fatty Mick and Adrian from WA, holidaying in the state.  Good feed, conversation and home via the Lake Hgh. Perfect weekend.

[Taffey]

Hi

Belated ride report. Had planned to head out to the west-west coast, taking the Norfolk Road up to Arthur River after Strahan and Zeehan. It meant making it to the Corinna Ferry before 5pm when it normally closes.

I was ultimately talked out of this plan by my more experienced host, a long term participant in the Targa Rallies, who presented an alternative route that met most of what I was seeking to do (i.e. a West Coast loop) while taking me over many of the signature stages of the rally.

After a phone call from Carsten, we found that both of us were heading out west and so agreed to meet on the way out of Hobart to share the primary outbound trek. While delayed in Hobart traffic more than anticipated, we were soon heading out along the south side of the Derwent to pick up the road westward to Queenstown.

Once there, we fuelled up with petrol and coffee (I enjoyed an amazing pistachio gelato as well) before saying farewell to Carsten, who went north while I peeled off west again to Strahan before turning north towards Somerset via banjo playing Zeehan, inclusive of a loop out to Reece Dam (did I say these were all Targa Rally Stages...?).

Reaching the Somerset Hotel in the dwindling Tasmania twilight, I booked in, dumped the gear, stowed the bike and headed next door to the local takeaway for a succulent Chinese meal. Returning to the hotel for one beer, I turned in as early as I could to be capable of a 5am departure.  This meant rising at 4:15 am, which proved difficult as I was well munted from the previous day of Targa riding.

After finding fuel, I turned south now and rode into darkness towards Cradle Mountain. It was a nervous affair, given the local critter life, inclusive of at least one wombat until a 4wd chap pulled in front and sat on the speed limit, both lighting and clearing the way forward. Better riding followed but cold soon set in as the higher altitudes brought lower temperatures ranging from -2 to 5 degrees. I was prepared for this, but it's still always a challenge.

However, night transitioned to day and as the sun kept climbing, the journey became increasingly enjoyable, with my host, and four friends intercepting my trail near the turnoff to Arthur Lake for the finish in Lilydale.

We reached Lilydale with plenty to spare and after some contemplations, my entourage decided to dine at the Inn as well. After photos were taken and dockets inspected and meals consumed, we said mutual hellos and goodbyes to the SCLD/Farroad chaps, before heading up into the Ben Lomond forest for some spirited forest trail riding to Avoca before heading south along the hardtop to Hobart.

All and all a great first Long Distance Ride in Tassie for me, which also enabled me to finish an outstanding loop of Tassie that was planned but missed when I completed my lap of Australia in 2022.

Thanks to Carsten for your ride and your company - I will try and return next year.

No pictures this time, but a couple of video logs (about 30 mins or so long) of my Day 1 and Day 2 of this ride.

Day 1
Day 2

Cheers
Taff