Ride Week Tasmania

Derby / Blue Tier / George Town Mountain Bike Trails

Our once-a-year trip open to everyone, (including males!). Join us to improve your skills and explore Derby, Georgetown and NE Tasmania.

Why Ride Week Tasmania?

This is your more traditional ride week, open to anyone and includes a mix of exploration and skills lessons to improve your riding. Many of our women participants have asked for a trip they can share with their male partners or even a trip their partner can go on alone or with a buddy and not miss all the fun.
Similar to our other trips, we split into groups with guides and coaches so you can ride at a level that is comfortable for you. You have the option to ride iconic wilderness trails such as Blue Tier, Atlas, and Bay of Fires.
On most days, we allocate time for a lesson-style skills session and focus on a specific technique to help level up your riding. If a skills lesson isn’t your thing, it's totally fine; you can hit the trails and explore.
This is a once-per-year trip. Looking for a women’s specific retreat? Head back to Our Trips page to see what else is on offer.

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Itinerary

Day 1 - Arrive Launceston

We will meet in Launceston in the afternoon and spend the night at the renowned Peppers Silo Hotel. Here, we get to know each other, build our bikes, and kick back before heading off to the trails of NE Tasmania. Plan your trip to arrive in Launceston from 12 pm onwards. Shuttles will be on rotation to pick you up from the airport or nearby accommodation and transfer you to Peppers.

Day 2 - Tippogoree Hills (George Town)

Begin your day with breakfast at 'Grain of the Silos,' a restaurant that earned the Gault&Millau Australia's New Restaurant of the Year award when it debuted in 2019. Afterwards, board the bus to George Town, where we'll spend most of the day exploring the new trails around Tippogoree Hills. We start with a bike check and warm-up at the trailhead. The trip is then divided into three skill/ confidence level groups, which will be accompanied by guides on the trails. After lunch is an optional skills lesson and more shuttles. The day finishes with a bus ride to our accommodation in Derby.

Day 3 - Blue Derby

Start your day with a delicious continental breakfast and a fresh coffee in your lodge. Then, we’ll split into groups to tackle the seemingly endless Derby Trails. Less confident or more relaxed riders can enjoy the green trails around town and the lower slopes, while the go-getters will shuttle Black Stump for exhilarating runs down the famous trails. When hunger arrives, enjoy a leisurely lunch at a local café. Afterwards, sharpen your skills with an optional lesson on a specific mountain biking technique. As the day winds down, we’ll eat out and have drinks at a local pub or restaurant before heading back to the lodge, where hot tubs await a perfect end to an adventurous day.

Day 4 - Blue Tier / Weldborough Hotel

Wake up to a hearty continental breakfast in your lodge before embarking on an unforgettable adventure. Today, we journey to Blue Tier for a thrilling descent down the renowned Blue Tier trail. We load the bike trailer, grab a takeaway coffee in town, and head to the summit, where the excitement begins. At the trail's end, we'll refuel with lunch at every mountain biker's favorite pub, the Weldborough Hotel. After a meal, choose between an optional skills lesson to master a mountain biking technique or ride the fun Little Chook and Big Chook trails. As the day draws to a close, we’ll drive back to our Derby accommodation, where a cozy dinner awaits in the lodges. Cap off this epic day with a relaxing soak in the hot tubs, the perfect end to an adventurous day in Tasmania.

Day 5 - Derby / Atlas Trail

Rise and shine to a delicious breakfast in your lodge before kicking off with an optional skills lesson to refine the techniques we've been honing all week. Then, for the fitter or more confident riders, a shuttle will zip you up to the Atlas wilderness trail, ending with a sublime ride back to Derby. Those opting for a more relaxed pace can join a guide to explore Derby's hidden gem trails or revisit favorite spots with shuttles. Enjoy lunch at a local café of your choice. The afternoon offers a chance to relax and recharge for tomorrow, but if you still have energy to burn, continue with Black Stump shuttles. Join us at the lodges for a sunset sip and stretch session, savoring a local craft beer or glass of wine while easing those tired muscles. We'll cap off the day with dinner at a local restaurant, rounding out another fantastic day in Tasmania.

Day 6 - Bay of Fires Epic Trail

Wake up and prepare a continental breakfast in your lodge to fuel up for an exciting day ahead. We'll start early, loading our bikes onto the trailers and grabbing a takeaway coffee as we drive out of Derby. Today’s adventure is the Bay of Fires Trail, which begins atop the Blue Tier and leads us to Tasmania's breathtaking East Coast. You can ride the entire trail or tackle the first or second half. Midway, we'll enjoy a relaxing picnic lunch amidst the serene eucalyptus trees. Marvel at the dramatic landscape shift from the sub-alpine Blue Tier to the granite boulders of the Bay of Fires. Our journey culminates with a refreshing swim and drinks on the pristine white sands of Swimcart Beach. We'll then head to the charming township of St Helens for a wander and an early dinner before driving back to Derby.

Day 7 - Departure Day

Sadly, our adventure comes to an end and we prepare to head back to Launceston. Pack up your bike with the help of our guides before we depart the accommodation at 9:30 AM. Along the way, we'll have a morning tea stop at one of the small towns en route. We arrive at Launceston Airport by 12:30 PM, in time to catch your flights home, carrying the thrill of our Tasmanian mountain biking journey with you.

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What is included*

Scheduled airport shuttle to/from Launceston Airport & accommodation
5 days of incredible mountain biking with optional coaching and skills
6 nights of quality accommodation
All breakfasts
All dinners
3 lunches
All mountain bike shuttles as indicated in the itinerary
2-3 MTB guides when on the trails, bike mechanical support + more
*These are the standard inclusions in the Ride Week Tasmania. Other trips have different inclusions. Check their page for details.

What is not included

Bike Rental: This is an extra if you do not have your own bike. Click here for details
Non-scheduled Launceston shuttles. Sorry, we don’t offer shuttles at alternative times. You are welcome to make your own way to Derby and back if you like; just let us know when you register.
Beverages: Generally, you are responsible for your own beverages & alcoholic drinks.
Specialised Riding Snacks: Although some snacks and drinks will be available each day, you might like to bring your own personal ride snacks and electrolyte replacements.
Airfares
Travel Insurance. We strongly recommend you take this to cover you in the event of cancellations or accidents/ loss.

Ride Week Tasmania FAQs

This week is open to all and is about exploring adventure and improving skills. It is great if you are short on time and want someone to take the hassle out of all the organisation, planning, and bookings. Just turn up and ride!
Who is this trip suitable for?

The trip caters to up to 12-15+ people, is flexible, and accommodates all skill levels. Riders form 3 groups daily based on confidence, fitness, and skills, exploring trails most suited to each group. Take a look at the day-by-day itinerary for more details. If you are a beginner and not sure if this trip is for you, please reach out to us, and we can discuss.
Is this a Women's Only Trip?

Unlike our other trips, this one is open to all. It is our once-per-year mixed ride week for everyone to enjoy. Many of the women who have attended the women’s retreats were looking for a trip either their partners could go on, or a trip they could share as a couple. This is where Ride Week Tasmania comes in!
What are the skills lessons?

On most days, an hour or two will be set aside for a more traditional skills lesson for anyone who wants to participate. Our coaches will geek out with some theory and then put into practice a specific mountain bike skill. If lessons aren’t your thing, no problem. Just hit the trails either with one of the other guides or head off by yourself exploring.
Are there male and female guides and coaches?

Yes, this trip will have a combination of male and female coaches and guides.
What sort of a bike do I need?

For this trip, we will likely head onto the blue trails and think you need a full-suspension bike. While you can get away with a hardtail, it will be a much better experience on a dual-suspension bike.
You need to make sure your bike is recently serviced and bring some spare parts. We are heading to remote areas with limited support for bikes. We will have a bike mechanic along for the trip with some generic parts as we understand how important it is to keep you moving. As with all our trips, we are there if you need help to build and pack your bike out of the bag/box you transport it in.
How do I book?

Head to our dates and inclusions page for details