News and Events
Spare 1 minute? Register your support for Sandy Bay Rd bicycle project before 27 August
12/8/2010
The proposed Sandy Bay Rd bicycle project aims to provide a similar experience to the Intercity Cycleway - providing a traffic-free and comfortable place for all sorts of people to ride their bikes (including families and children) with complete separation from motor vehicles. An advantage over the Intercity Cyclway is walkers will have their own footpath adjacent to the protected bike lane. The project is getting some vocal resistance from a few Sandy Bay residents who will lose some parking spots at the front of their houses (which have off-street parking anyway).
The Hobart Council aldermen need to know that there is community support for bicycle facilities. Could you please complete this on-line form to register your support. It's quick and easy to fill out. For background info on the project see Sandy Bay Rd page for more.
Dual discipline group rides have arrived in Tassie and their home is Ride Bellerive
1/7/2010
Dual discipline group rides have arrived in Tassie and their home is Ride Bellerive.
Ride Bellerive is starting the first social Mountain and Road cycle dual rides starting the 17th of July and then the first Saturday of each month commencing in August - (check with Adrian at Ride Bellerive as they may switch to Sundays for daylight saving hours).
How many people own both road and mountain bikes OR one or the other and want a regular chance to get out with other like minded people?
These rides are a chance to socially enjoy what we love doing in either discipline - the idea is you show up on either your Road or your Mountain bike and head out for 2 or 3 hours and then meet back to Ride Bellerive for a coffee and a catch up before heading home etc...Its up to you.
These types of rides are a huge success in other parts of the world where good trails and nice sealed roads are within easy access and so we are expecting big things from them in Tassie.
Basic format is:
- Meet at Ride Bellerive just between 6:45 and 7am
- Road riders head off at 7am sharp (route predetermined)
- Mountain Bike riders head off at 7:05 sharp (route predetermined) Both disciplines routes will be posted in the window should you choose to track down either group if your late - this may change during the ride!
- Return to Ride Bellerive between 9 and 10 am for a coffee.
These rides should suit most levels of riders with a moderate level of fitness and experience however if you are new to either disciplines it will also be a chance to come along and learn either riding in groups or where some really cool trails are to be found. Bring what you need for the ride (water, food, jacket etc oh and a few bucks for a coffee at the end. If you do lose your group remember that they will most likely be aiming to arrive back at the start between 9 and 10am. If your are intending to drive to the start please park on a near by street as parking at Ride Bellerive is a time limited car park and is used for several different shops.
If you are intending to come or have any queries drop Ride Bellerive a line info@ride.net.au or 0362448222 or just show up on the day. Ride will be able to answer your questions (about the ride or bikes in general). This is a social ride that will help bring bicycle riders together, so if you know anybody that would be interested please spread the word.
2 to 3 hours on a bike (of either discipline) means most of the greater Hobart area(road and trail) will be seen during the life of these rides..... Aaand Just imagine how pumped up you will all be watching the Tour and how keen you will be to get out there on your bike - makes it the perfect time to kick this off!!! See you there;-)
CLARENCE XCO STATE SUCCESS
Andrew Burford 2nd Place Elite Men
19/11/2009
Around 100+ people turned up at the newly built Clarence XCO track on sunday 15th November for round 2 of the State Cross Country series. The season kicked of a few weeks ago on the North West coast where a similar number of riders attacked the trails.
Down here for round 2 we witnessed an epic battle in the mens elite division. Ex-downhill king Stu Keep turned up looking fit and ready to decend into victory. It was felt that Stu's exquisite skills and fitness could see him get past the irresistable Ben Mather who in round one put around nine minutes on his nearest rival, Nick Morgan.
Riveting viewing saw Mather pull away on the first few climbs, but both Stu Keep and Ride Bellerives Andrew Burford dragged him back in decending with purpose and flair. It wasn't to last though as Mather said "catch ya..." on lap three and put almost 1minute on Burford and Keep. That then blew out to over a minute until the two chasers dragged Mather back to 40+ seconds mid way through the race. With Keep fading slightly, fatigue seemingly caused him to crash on a relatively easy corner, causing some minor injuries and a certain fairwell to any chance of victory.
Andrew Burford rode on strong until the end but couldn't catch the super fit Mather.
In the ladies it was the Rowena Fry show. What a treat it was to have to world class Fry tearing up Clarence. She smashed her competition as you would expect.
Heaps of great photos at tonyjross.com
On the venue:
The race...It was all viewable in the 'couldren'. Clarence has been designed to allow for spectators to view at least 30% of the course at any given time, and the best part of the course at that. Steep climbs, gnarly decents and all single track. World class !
Give Ride Bellerive a call to get more details on the track or just pop in for a bit of advice on getting there and some local knowledge on the trails .
Sweet.
Darcey wins National Marathon Championships 2009
Aus Championships Marathon Presentations
14/10/2009
Bendigo MTB hosted the 2009 Australian Mountain Bike Marathon Championships as part of their Golden Triangle Event. Clear skies greeted over 200 competitors as they set out on what was a truly grueling 105kms of single track.
"I never thought I would say that I was sick to death of single track, but on that day... "
Riding the LTD Edition Merida Ninety Six with full XTR gearing and Sid Teams up front, Darcey navigated his way out to the front early and earned himself the title of fastest 30 something in Australia for Marathon XC. A brief list of other equipment used including food...
Gels x 6
5 x Bottles
Magnesium / Multivitamins / Coffee / Lara fruit bars (the greatest)
Risky lightweight racing ralph tyres on olympic ZTR rims with xtr hubs
Ride Team niks and jersey with lucky socks
Additionally...
Tasmania's Ben Mather was the stand out for the full timers, finishing in a painstaking 4th place by a mear 30 seconds... Heart breaking over that distance to go so close... Mather has vowed to win the event over the next few years and we wish him all the best and hope he can pull it off.
Winter Challenge 2009
24/8/2009
In a month where rain has been almost constant, the sun decided to come and shine on the competitors and spectators for the Winter Challenge held at Franklin on Sunday. A great days racing for all. Check the PDF for results and check back to out gallery for images soon.
Tech XCO Causes flair
Racing to the top
18/8/2009
What a great race !
The Clarence XCO Track built by Dirt Art recently this year had everyone shaking in their boots. Short sharp climbs with tight turns then some sensational combination switchbacks that had race faces being replaced by race smiles within an instant.
The race itself offered little opportunities for passing due to the narrow nature of the track. However, in the open sections it was war with some heavy battles for pole position in all divisions.
John Darcey lead strongly for the first two laps after opening up a 70 meter gap on Tom Helleman and Tom Burford. Aided by an early crash from Tom H, Darcey was able to pull away, but was eventually mowed down by the machine man - Burf. Victory eventually went to Burf.
In truth however, the real winners were those who chose to ride the course. Yes it was a bit technical but it showed many a whole new side to riding that they thought may have been beyond them. Congratulations go out to the Dirt Art team for the track. Thanks !!!
Check out the track at Clarence, it is still under development yet remains a great riding option. Additionally, it can easily be linked up with a range of loops out to Belbins Road.
Click PDF results from race 3 for the Winter XCO series.
The Relentless Belbins Road
Edwina Hughs XCO2
18/8/2009
Not many courses look this easy but are ultimately that hard. Belbins road delivered a strong test for all riders with rough terrain, switchback corners, loose sections and of course... mud.. lots of mud.
A great turnout for the second winter XCO race of the year with Daniel DeGroot taking out the event from Tom Burford and John Darcey. Tom Helleman came in fourth place.
The track offered many challenging sections, but clearly the best section was the exit from the sweeping single track that dropped down into the small steam crossing.
Stella performances from all entrants on a track that seemed to offer no rest with a gradient that defied logic seemingly heading upwards for the entire race.
Some great shots were captured by expert photographer Tony Ross. A selection of which will be viewable on the ride.net.au gallery from late August.
Winter XCO Race One
Elite Men - Tom Helleman
18/8/2009
Race 1 of the season was held at Tolosa. A modified version of the National round XCO was somewhat drenched for the event. With Kayaker Dan Hall coming out on top... well... he probably could have. The horrid winter rains drenced the track and with water running all over, a solid but possibly desperate crew took to the trails. Young Tom Helleman cleaned up in the opens setting himself up for a possible series victory.
Check the PDF for more results.
URGENT !!! TAS MTB PLAN
RIDERS READY
22/6/2009
CLICK HERE AND GET INVOLVED NOW
A Tasmanian Mountain Bike Plan is being prepared, to provide a framework for the development and promotion of mountain bike opportunities in Tasmania.
Individuals who complete a survey by 5 July 2009 will go into the draw for a National Parks Annual All Parks Pass
Details at end of survey.
New STVCC Roster released
STVCC Racing
22/6/2009
If you can get out of bed on a sunday morning, then you can race with the Southern Tasmanian Veteran Cycling Club. Most races are scratch, so you won't get left behind. The vibe is fantastic and venues are suited to all comers.
Almost every sunday you will find around 50+ men and women competing in a range of events. Check out the roster for a rundown on locations.
If you don't have a bike, call into the shop for tips on what to get and how to train before you get onboard.
It's a great club so get into it !!!
New gallery opening soon !
NATIONAL XCO ROUND 5 2009
22/6/2009
With a small number of excellent photographers taking shots of cycling at events all over Tasmania, it seemed only logical to bring them together at one easily accessed location. The new Ride Bellerive gallery is based on a small number of the worlds best image viewing sites. It will be easy to navigate, built on a world class framework and will also offer you a chance to view and or purchase images of yourself, your friends and YOUR ENEMIES (I stick mine on my wall and throw eggs at them).
The gallery is due for launch and will offer an archive of interesting events from the past few years.
Good times and check back soon for the new gallery !!!
SALE ON NOW!!
27/5/2008
End of season clearance!
