Tasmania Grupetto Cycling Tour FAQ's
With the Après Vélo Cycle Tour, you will always have at least one ride guide on the road with the group. Depending upon the group size, there may be two ride guides. We understand that everyone has different levels of fitness and therefore we often break into two groups, with a ride guide leading each group. Our rides are further enhanced with a support vehicle to provide mechanical help as and when needed, provide hydration and nutrition or just a cosy place to rest up in case of that dreaded bonk.
We ask all customers to pay a 20% deposit when they book, which confirms their reservation. The balance is due 120 days before departure. If you book less than 120 days before departure, we will ask you to pay the full price upfront.
Cancellations may occur. However, the boutique nature of our tour keeps our groups small and intimate, so this is unlikely. If we do have to cancel the tour due to Covid-19 or for some other unforeseen circumstances, we will naturally provide you with plenty of notice and a full refund of all monies paid. However, we will not be liable for any flight or insurance costs you have incurred (therefore it's a requirement that you arrange insurance as soon as you have booked your trip).
It is a requirement that insurance is taken out for your tour of Tasmania at the time of booking, as this should then cover you immediately, should anything occur between the time you book and departure/return.
100%. We cherish the opportunity of designing bespoke tours for groups of friends, corporate clients, teams and families. Anything is possible in terms of the amount of riding you want to do, to the amount of post ride activity you’re interested in, accommodation style and any budget restraints you may have – whatever your timing and interests, please talk to us.
A standard road bike is suitable for this tour. Some roads are gravel but are not classified as fire-trails. The general road surface can be 'dead' so we recommend larger volume tires ie 28mm.
Après Vélo and Beardy worked together for many years whilst he was living in Sydney. Beardy relocated to Tasmania in 2018.
Beardy is a cycling photographer that has captured the worlds highest profile cycling races such as the Tour de France and Giro d’Italia which he has documented via his website beardyscaravan.com.
As a keen cyclist,Beardy carries a camera along to photograph his daily rides. His aim is to portray the beauty of cycling from the places it takes you to the people you meet along the way. Beardy is now based in Hobart Tasmania. The region inspires him with some of the best cycling roads and trails in Australia set amongst the wild beauty of Tassie.
We know Beardy as a kind of larrikin who takes you on the journey with him, telling the stories behind the photos, and bringing to life the vibrancy and colour, that makes cycling the most beautiful sport in the world.
We know you will enjoy living the ride with him as much as we have.
We understand that not everyone wants to spend big days in and out of the saddle across numerous and challenging climbs. With our Grupetto Tour de Tassie, all is good in the world again! We are surrounded by like-minded souls who are Living the Ride. Grupetto life on tour is wonderful.
- Reasonable riding distances each day
- Moderate pace (20km- 25km)
- The option of hiring an E Bike. We can arrange this for you.
- Support vehicle always on hand.
- Getting to see, smell and feel the beauty of Tasmania countryside on a bike.
- Cycling to the world famous Mona Gallery and Meadowbank vineyard for long lunches.
- The obligatory daily country coffee stops en-route.
- Smelling the roses.
Mt Wellington
17.68km / Avg 7% / Lowest 69m / Highest 1,258m / Difference 1,189m / Category HC / KOM 46:22 / QOM 1:05:41
https://www.strava.com/segments/781004
79km with 830m of climbing. See our Itinerary for our daily agenda.
Early morning rides are forbidden on all Après Vélo tours.
- From 7am - Inclusive breakfast in your respective hotels.
- The two hotels are very close to each other and we will have a set departure point from the Grand Chancellor Hotel Hobart where there will be pumps, sun cream, water etc available before the ride.
- 8.45am – Meet the AV Team in front of Grand Chancellor Hotel, Hobart. This is your opportunity to drop your musette. You will see those bags again at designated rest stops and at the conclusion of the ride.
- 9.00am – Roll out
- Our support vehicle will be roaming during each ride and carry First Aid, sun cream, water, fruit, your mussette(s), tools and pump
- Cafe stop on selected rides
- Lunch on your own with the exception of Thursdays lunch at the Vineyard.
Reasonable riding distances each day at a moderate pace. We are here to Live the Ride safely and take in the beauty that Hobart has to offer. Rides will be in bunches, and we will offer a steady and slower group. No rider will ever be left behind, as that is not the Après Vélo way. The rides are not 'flat' so expect moderate climbing on each ride.
Whilst this is a Grupetto Tour, this is not a tour for beginners. Riders should be able to back up +70km days. If necessary, we will split the rides into two groups, to cater for different speeds.
We also expect that riders can ride safely in a bunch situation.
Après Vélo will arrange transfers for your bike bag at pre designated times (TBC).
Weather in Hobart can be unpredictable and plays a big part with each ride.
Therefore each rider must be prepared for rainy weather and colder temperatures. Tasmania can have four seasons in a day.
Our recommendations for packing are set out below:
- 3-5 sets of cycling clothing.
- Hardshell helmet
- Gilet
- Long sleeve thermal jacket- waterproof and windproof
- Full finger winter gloves
- Thermal overshoes
- Leg warmers/arm warmers
- For dinners - there is no dress code. Jeans, t-shirt and sneakers are suitable.
We will have riders on standard and compact crank set ups. It is not essential that riders change the crank set up on their current bikes for this tour. For the rear, we recommend at least a 28-30.
We would HIGHLY recommend that you leave tubular tires at home.
25mm-28mm tires.