Massive Month for Mountain Biking

by Peta Hen

Tasmania has become a mecca for mountain bike riding in recent years, with local councils spending on upgrading infrastructure and trails all over Hobart. Our rugged trails have attracted tens of thousands of mountain biking tourists keen on exploring Hobart’s bushland, while injecting millions of dollars into Tasmania’s economy. However, us locals are pretty keen on the sport too, and with the newest trails opening at our three mountain bike parks, mountain bike fever is running high.

MONSTER TRACK NOW OPEN AT MEEHAN RANGE

The newest addition to the Clarence Mountain Bike Park, the Flow Monster track, is now complete and open to riders. The track boasts 1.3km of big berms and promises to be “a super flowy ride” for riders of all abilities. The Clarence Mountain Bike Park is in the Meehan Range area and includes mountain bike tracks for beginners, intermediate and advanced riders. Flow Monster can be accessed via the XC Climb next to the concrete slab area. For more information about the Clarence Mountain Bike Park and the Flow Monster Track, head to www.ccc.tas.gov.au/places/clarence-mountain-bike-xc-trail.

*Big, flowy berms of the Flow Monster Track. Pic: Stu Gibson*

NORTHERN SUBURBS MOUNTAIN BIKE PARK SET TO REOPEN

Northern suburbs mountain bike riders can soon hit the dirt again with the reopening of the upgraded Glenorchy Mountain Bike Park. The park has undergone major work since 2018 after the Dirt Devils Mountain Bike Club successfully secured funds from the state government for the works with Glenorchy Council engaging Dirt Art to undertake the the master plan project. Proposal upgrades include integrating Glenorchy Mountain Bike Park with Tolosa Park, pump track and dirt jumps. Keep your eyes on the Glenorchy City Council Facebook page for the official reopening date.

*Neika gnomes watching the action. Pic: HCC FB*

NO NEED TO STOP NOW AT NEIKA

Riders no longer need to stop and break their flow with the raising of the new bridge at the Neika end of the Pipeline track. The new bridge gives riders a seamless transition over the gully without the need for riders to stop and carry their bikes across. The Pipeline track is a great family-friendly track set against the ferns and gums of kunanyi/Mt Wellington. Just keep your eyes peeled for the sneaky gnomes that line part of the track.

Love this

Extras

Hobart Happenings

by Stephanie Williams

OFF SEASON: Bits And Pieces

Not many people have a garden named after them but one of the founders of modern organic gardening in Tasmania, David, can enjoy the spoils of the David Stephen Neighbourhood Garden (formerly Kickstart CG) in New Town.

Hobart Happenings

Hobart Happenings in March 2024

Hobart Happenings

Hobart Happenings in February 2024

Stay up to date with everything happening at the Hobart Magazine.

Even though Tasmania is known for its mild summers, it doesn’t take much to get sunburnt. Tasmania experiences extreme ultraviolet (UV) levels, but contrary to popular belief this isn’t due to the hole in the ozone layer, which is actually south of the continent.While higher UV levels often occur at the same time as higher temperatures, the two are not linked. Instead, UV levels are determined by the angle of the sun in the sky: the higher the sun, the higher the UV. In December and January, the position of the sun over Tasmania gives the state a UV index of 11 or more on most days, which is classified as “extreme” on the UV index. Tasmania’s lack of humidity and generally clear skies contribute to the stinging feeling of the sun. UV can reflect off buildings and water, making it possible to get a higher dose of UV from these reflected rays, even in the shade.

Having just spent a year in Antarctica, Dr Meg is ready to get back to her patients and passion projects in Hobart.

Setting up shop during a pandemic was a risky move, but if the crowd at Dāna Eating House (Dāna) on a Friday night is anything to go by, it’s one that’s paid off. With tables of diners chatting and laughing over drinks, the music and conversation buzzes off the monstera-leaf-green walls. Low-hanging rattan lights and worn wooden floorboards give the newly opened South-East Asian fusion venue in Hobart’s CBD a relaxed vibe.

These women have been suiting up Tasmania’s front-line workers for more than 30 years.

A simple cave provided the perfect hideout for one of Tasmania’s most brutal bushrangers – and you can easily walk to it from Fern Tree. Sarah Aitken went in search of the story of Rocky Whelan.

Thank you to Luke Brokensha for mobilising his friends and local residents recently to host two rubbish clean ups along the Hobart Rivulet after heavy rains.

The warm weather returns...hello summer.

Need a laugh? Check out @theinspiredunemployed feed on Instagram.

Moto Vecchia Cafe in Bellerive and Czegs Cafe in Richmond have joined the Clarence City Council dementia program, creating dementia-friendly spaces for all patrons.

It’s hard to believe it’s not standard practice to have a working phone in every aged care room - shared phones make private conversations impossible and increase the risk of spreading COVID-19.

Tacks on the tracks. Mountain bikers beware of tacks being left on certain tracks on the mountain.

Just when you think your cousins are alright. NZ Opposition Leader Judith Collins took aim at Tassie during her recent (unsuccessful) campaign, calling us Australia’s “poor cousin.” She also seems worried about us nabbing tech businesses, “It’s a lovely part of the world but do you necessarily want to go there with your high- tech business? Possibly not,” she said. We beg to differ!