Hobart and into the Midlands

The ride from Richmond to Hobart was very relax. It was only a "half day distance", so we could afford a lazy and late start, and take our time on the way. We decided to go for the slightly longer and hillier option, via Grass Tree Hill. It would be more beautiful and much less traffic than the other options. It was definitely beautiful and while it was a good climb, it was very nice and completely worth it.

Grass Tree Hill: no traffic, wonderful environment, pleasant climb and all that in beautiful weather.

Once we came down from the hill (ahhh, always nice these downhills!), we were in Hobart's suburbs. Our Warm Showers host, Darryl, had told us we would find cycling paths and quiet roads nearly all the way to his house. This was definitely true! We followed nearly from beginning to end the "Clarence Foreshore Trail": mostly dedicated cycling and walking trails, following the river shore, bringing us all the way to Bellerive, to our Warm Showers host. Darryl and Bronwyn would keep our bicycles and luggage in their place while we were going 2 days to Melbourne, and upon our return we also stayed with them for a night. It was again incredible hospitality, we had fantastic treats - dinners, breakfast, a good night's sleep, and most of all great chats. Wonderful people, we definitely hope to meet them again in Tassie or who knows, in KL.

Coffee break at the start of the Clarence Foreshore Trail; very picturesque

Some impressions of the trail. You never realize you're actually entering the Tasmanian capital city!

Getting closer to Bellerive

Bellerive beach, a late lunch picnic sheltered from the cold wind behind the dunes.

We went 2 days to Melbourne, to attend Sander's official graduation ceremony. Even though he finished his studies nearly a year ago, the ceremony - which is only once a year - was only now. It was fantastic we had the chance to be there at that big moment, and celebrate it together with Sander and Irene.
After 2 nice days in Melbourne, we returned to Hobart, and back to Darryl and Bronwyn. Darryl, a fanatic cyclist himself, had suggested we return to Launceston via the Midlands - basically, going north all the way from Hobart. The Midlands can be very windy, cold and inhospitable, but the weather looked good for the coming days, and the Midlands indeed seemed a great alternative: desolate landscapes, little traffic, hardly any housing... So we indeed followed his suggestion, and left Hobart already after 1 night in order to still be able to get back to Launceston in time.

The Tasman Bridge in Hobart. There is a dedicated and separated bicycle lane, but it's quite narrow and with strong winds, it certainly required concentration to cross safely...

Midlands scenery. The weather was OK, although very windy (and this wind is cold!) and with a few short showers.

Midlands scenery

A lone cyclist; there was almost no traffic on this stretch or road

The rough plan looked like this: 4 days, 3 nights journey, staying at Bothwell, Miena, and Poatina. Miena, being more than 1000m asl, has a reputation of being one of the coldest places in Tassie, so for that night we already booked a hotel. The other 2 nights we'd still see... So today we left Hobart, this time crossing the impressive Tasman Bridge, following the intercity bicycle trail to Brighton. We then decided to not follow the main highway north, but go more west via a much smaller road (C185), which would then turn northwest (C182) and north later on. It was a wonderful ride, except... we had very strong, relentless headwind all the way. So with 67km headwind and a decent hill under our belt, we called it a day a bit earlier than Bothwell, in a tiny place. And instead of camping, we're in a wonderful B&B (Shearers' Quarters Rathmore, highly recommended!), with a woodfire, hot pea & ham soup, a hot bath (that was years ago!), and a nice bed with electric blankets for the night. So far for roughing it hahaha. But it means, tomorrow we have quite a long day, as we really need to get to Miena - there is nothing else on our way! The beauty of the remote Midlands!!!