Australian Cycling Forums - Bicycles Network Australia

Rather than sitting on my backside watching cricket this Christmas break I'm thinking of doing a 7-10day tour around the island (not necessarily the full circumference), and would like to know if the following is a stupid idea?
Pre-book accommodation at various locations along the route.
Send a small parcel in the mail to a few of the lodgings so I have the bulk of my supplies for the next day or two.
Ideally I'd like to ride with just a very small backpack - enough to fit a rain jacket, spare knicks/jersey, and a few other essentials. I'd like to fly to Tassie with just my bike and small backpack.
Ride 100-200kms for 7/8 days with a rest day in there somewhere. A route with lots of climbing would be ideal.
Would be great if you could let know if this is a bad idea, things to look out for etc.
After a really quick look, it appears finding accom every 100-200kms might be a problem in some locations?

Many thanks,
Dave

Dave,

I've toured Tassie fullly-loaded, and can advise that it would be perfectly feasible to do a credit card tour with a small backpack, but I reckon a seatpost rack with a small bag (and perhaps a bar bag) would be more comfortable. I met a guy doing exactly this in New Zealand, and he was covering up to 200km per day. This site may give you a few baggage ideas.

You can complete the Giro staying in backpacker hostels and caravan parks. I doubt it's worth the effort to send supplies ahead, you should be able to pick up whatever you need along the way each day.

I'm not sure how many nights you would need to book in advance - I had no problems finding accommodation in October/November, but no doubt it will be busier around Xmas. One place I'd be sure to book ahead though is for Cradle Mountain. The caravan park has a reasonably-price dormitory, but apart from the expensive resorts there are few other options. The tavern at Cradle Mountain Lodge is the place to eat, but the caravan park has a small and expensive range of groceries.

It's well worth the side trip to Coles Bay to spend a day taking a walk on the Freycinet Peninsula to Wineglass Bay. Likewise it's good to spend a day walking at Cradle Mountain, and in Strahan to take a Macquarie Harbour cruise.

And you will find no shortage of climbing - it cannot be avoided, Tasmania is bloody hilly.

You will find lots of references and information in my tour journal.

Great info there Ron.
I like the look of the seat post bag off the back. That should have enough room while taking stress off the back. Unfortunately they're not in stock..

I'm getting through your blog at the moment and it seems to answer most of the questions I'm thinking of.. I feel like I'm vicariously doing the tour through your blog - Hopefully I don't feel like I've done it and lose the desire to go

Thanks again!

Well, reading about it maybe interesting, but nowhere near as interesting as doing it yourself. And almost certainly your experience will be different from mine for any number of reasons.
I can't get enough if it, so I will depart for my second tour of NZ in a couple weeks.
The seat bags should be available before you depart, but there are other similar designs and also seatpost racks/bags you can choose from.
Have fun!

Dave, have a look at these racks and these bags.