Q:We would like to bike the east coast of Tasmania, but are finding it a bit difficult to get good information (we are in California).Our most basic question is which way are the prevailing winds, north to south or south to north? (ie, which direction should we ride?) We are also interested in getting detailed maps and information on road quality. Any help (web sites, names, addresses etc) you could provide would be very much appreciated! A:East Coast of Tas is a beautiful for cycle touring. Fine mild weather, associated with high pressure systems moving over the state -- calm mornings and afternoon sea breezes. On the North East coast sea breezes are from the NorthEast/ East. Further south approaching Port Arthur and around Hobart the sea breeze is a South Easterly at up to 20 kts. However its strength diminishes markedly a few kilometers away from the coast. Low pressure systems and associated cold fronts approach the State from the west and bring winds from southerly and westerly directions. Sudden wind and temperature changes as a front approaches, are possible even in summer, with strong NW/West winds eventually swinging SW and slowly weakening over a couple of days as the next High gets itself established. These weather patterns are very noticeable on the Tasmania's west coast and central highlands. The east coast where you are planning your tour is more sheltered, hence is noticeably warmer and drier than those other areas of the state. On balance, in our Summer and Autumn (Jan-May), you will probably get the best run of following winds if you ride down the East Coast from the north. A web site with a lot of touring details is http://www.biketas.org.au/BikeTas/giro.php on our Bicycle Tasmania site. Local maps can be obtained from: Land Information and Services http://www.thelist.tas.gov.au/ 'Service Tasmania ' phone (from overseas + 613, or from within Australia 03)...6233 7741 , fax 6233 6071 ,http://www.servicetasmania.tas.gov.au/ The Tasmanian Map Centre, 96 Elizabeth St Hobart phone 03 6231 9043 . The surface of most roads in Tasmania, including the east coast, is quite ok for cycling but reasonably wide tyres (at least 28-32mm) would be most versatile and are recommended. Our gravel roads are generally fairly hard packed and all- weather but watch out for patches of loose gravel and stones on the edges and across intersections. In the far north east a few very minor roads are soft and sandy. A challenge on wide-ish tyres and impossible with narrow racing width tyres. If you would like to meet some keen local touring cyclists Salamanca Cyclists Touring Club ride most Sundays starting at Salamanca Square in Hobart at 10.00 and finishing about 3.30 pm. We'd love visitors so come along one Sunday when you are here. Occasionally we start elsewhere so it may be worthwhile to give Daniel Murphy (6234 2730) a ring when you are close and confirm the details of that weeks ride.
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