Blessed with perfect weather, a clean run without mechanical or human breakdown, we ended the Tas Trail the way we started, with huge smiles and a fervour for more bike packing adventure.
The Tasmanian Trail is an established multi use track winding through the centre of Tasmania from north to south between Devonport and Dover. Over its course, it takes you through beautiful landscapes abundant in humbling natural features, while at other times being close to quaint small towns that offer plenty of opportunities to see local attractions and get a feel for rural Tasmania. We caught an AFL game in Cressy and Cricket match in Judbury and we’re constantly pointing out nice shacks and interesting architecture along the way.
We rode the Trail in reverse from south to north, which worked in our favour riding through cool forests in the hotter days that met us in Tassie. Climbing around 8000 meters over the 500 km, we rode much of that uphill early in our trip as our maps guided us through immensely tall forests and across crystal clear rivers and creeks. We enjoyed icy dips and casting flies. Catching trout to fuel us as we climbed into the central plateau.
We were fortunate to rest well after big days as the night came alive with the island's many marsupials and spotted plenty of unique animals in the beam of a head torch.
The ride up into the centre on Tasmania often took us along fire trails through beautiful eucalypt forests and stark logged state forests, but always promised welcome dives in altitude, sometimes through luscious bracken obscured single track or perfectly smooth dirt roads with stunning valley views.
With a bike mechanic and two professional technicians on the trip and zero mechanical issues, conversation and consideration soon turned to our gear. The spattering of Mont gear between us kept us impressed and we soon developed a shortlist of our favourite pieces.
The Mont Moondance was always the first up when we settled at camp, and with many a cup of tea in hand while standing around staring at it, the tent impressed us with its spaciousness and innovative features.
A small pot scrubbing brush got a lot of attention and praise also, but for me my Mont Lifestyle Vented shirt saved my skin all the way up the island. It’s light material and great coverage kept the brutal Tasmanian sun off and dried quickly when an overnight wash and dry was due.
The Tas Trail really is a great ‘choose your own adventure’. You could easily make it a thoroughly challenging ride to push your limits, or a thoroughly enjoyable ride to taste the local produce as you ramble through the valleys. Even though on the tiny island of Tasmania help or a hitch is never far away, preparation and good gear is important to take the most enjoyment from your adventure and our Mont gear always lived up to its name.
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We were probably twenty electrolyte tablets deep each, feeling more like science experiments than cyclists. Add in sketchy tarmac with trucks roaring past, hogging the whole shoulder, and you had a section that demanded laser-sharp focus…
I had brought my Mont Helium 680 with me. A luxurious bag rated to -12°C for warm sleepers, it is perfectly suited to Tasmania’s cooler months. Ice crusted the ground and tent the next morning and checking my temperature sensor I was surprised to see that the temperature had dropped to -7.7°C overnight. That is remarkably cool for late October in Tassie!
At Mont Adventure Equipment, we believe that quality gear, people, and the planet deserve care. That’s why we only participate in only one yearly sale event that falls on Black Friday.
Michael
April 04, 2023
Great Read