Chance for all to get wheel

LOCALS are being encouraged to get on their bikes as cycling tourism continues to boom in Tasmania.

Launching Sally’s Ride — Tamar Valley Cycle Challenge in Launceston yesterday, Bass Liberal MHA Sarah Courtney said cycling had an important role in the Government’s goal to make Tasmania the healthiest population in the nation by 2025.

The charity ride, which is in its 10th year, will be held on November 18.

“Sally’s Ride is helping to promote the benefits of cycling in our state and is attracting interstate visitors, while having the added benefit of encouraging more Tasmanians to jump on a bike and get active,” Ms Courtney said.

Ms Courtney urged Tasmanian clubs, associations, councils and not-for-profit sport and recreation providers to apply for grants under the 2018-19 Sport and Recreation grants programs.

Applications for minor grants close on September 12, and for on November 1.

Mountain bike trails that opened in 2015 have reinvigorated the North-East town of Derby, and Maydena, in the Derwent Valley, has also become a cycling hotspot.

And Latrobe mayor Peter Freshney says construction of the first stage of the Wild Mersey Mountain Bike Trail in the North West is imminent.

“We’re hoping to have the first trails available by Christmas and it will be going on from there,” Cr Freshney said. The aim of the project is for a 100km network of off-road trails linking Latrobe, Railton and Sheffield.

Cr Freshney said the Wild Mersey trail would link with other trails on the North-West Coast, with cyclists visiting from interstate able to disembark the Spirit of Tasmania at Devonport and soon be on the cycling trails without needing a car.

Cr Freshney said he also hoped the new trails would encourage more locals to cycle.

Tasmanian Government figures show over the past five years there has been a 57 per cent rise in visitors to the state participating in cycling and mountain biking.

Endurance cycling event Race to the Rock chose Tasmania as its starting point this year with riders setting out from Cockle Creek for Devonport via the Central Highlands on Saturday.

Those who continue will make their way across Bass Strait for the start of the mainland section from Melbourne to Uluru.

Tasmanian Emma Flukes was in second place, behind Sarah Hammond.