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WOW celebrates 20th birthday three ways

The annual Women on Wheels bicycle ride turns 20 this year and we are celebrating with a new central Hobart location and choice of three routes to get you spinning.

Riding a bicycle has given women independence, fun and exercise over the decades but many are nervous about riding alone or on busy roads.

Bicycle Network’s Women on Wheels is for those girls and women who’d like to ride more but don’t have the confidence to go it alone just yet.

The ride starts at 10.30 am on Sunday 1 March and helps to kick off Tasmanian Bike Week events.

This year we are starting at the Long House at Macquarie Point from 10 am with a bike check from the friendly folk at Ken Self Cycles and some bike skills tests before you hit the tarmac.

There will be three ride choices:

  1. Queens Domain and the Intercity Cycleway: 26 km, 204 metres climbing.
  2. Intercity Cycleway and Glenorchy Arts and Science Precinct: 23 km, 88 metres climbing.
  3. Family ride on the Intercity Cycleway to Valhalla Ice-cream and back: 12 km, 70 metres climbing.

The first ride will be the most challenging as it involves some hill climbing up the Queen’s Domain and riding on gravel paths.

The second ride will still give your legs a work-out and will suit women who want to build up some stamina and also check out the Glenorchy Art and Sculpture Park, which is a picturesque destination in itself.

The third is for those mums who want to ride with their children and other women with families and the good news is the turn-around point is Valhalla Icecream in Moonah!

And at the end of the ride Banjo’s Bakery is providing lunch at the Long House. New riders can meet others and find out about Bicycle Network’s Organised social rides or hook up with other like-minded riders for their own casual outings.

There will also be some spot prizes for those riders who can answer the quiz questions.

Tickets are $10 for Bicycle Network members and riders aged under 16, and $15 for other riders. If you register as a group (three or more people) there is a 10% discount on entry prices.

Register and pay online at: www.biketas.org.au/wow2020

There are a couple of free warm-up rides being run along the Clarence Foreshore Trail on Sunday 2 and Sunday 16 February  to help riders get into shape.

Thanks to the City of Hobart for a community grant to help put on the ride, Ken Self Cycles for leading the ride and providing bicycle checks and prizes, Banjos Bakery for providing the lunch and the Long House for discounted venue hire.