NEWSLETTER December 2024

CONTENTS:

* The TasBC Cycle Challenge is Back for 2025!

* Government House Open Day & Volunteer Event

* The First Ever TasBC Quiz Night

* Government Funding Update

* Christmas Gift Ideas from TasBC

* Brand New Range of Kids Balance/Pedal Bikes

The Cycle Challenge is back!

Remember how much fun we had back in April? Well, it's on again, bigger and better, on Saturday 5 April 2025. Entries are now open!

A few little improvements for this year:

• An on-road option! Yep, if you want to take on the full Baskerville race course, it's yours for the taking.
• The off-road course is still on for those who want bumps, twists and turns on the dirt. You get to choose your preference in the sign-up process... and different members of the same team can choose different courses!
• Team riding options: because it's a challenge and not a race, we've decided that you and your team can ride together as much as you like. Ride in a really, ride all together or mix it up!
• BIG NEWS FOR THIS YEAR... e-bikes are Welcome! After trialling the event last year, we are confident that the courses can be safe and inclusive for e-bikes.

Sign up here: https://www.tasbc.com.au/cycle-challenge/home

Government House Open Day

Did you know, Her Excellency, the Hon Barbara Baker AC, Governor of Tasmania is a patron of the Tas Bike Collective?

Over the past month we have bene honoured to have Her Excellency host us at Government house! This was firstly to thank our legendary volunteers and supporters and secondly to be a part of the official open day at Government House.

Both have been wonderful opportunities to honour those who make huge contributions to TasBC as well as build awareness of what we do.

Special mentions go to:

• Iris – who has been an eager and much-loved volunteer but unfortunately has returned home to France.
• Owen – who volunteers as a mentor every week at Risdon Vale and is also now our go-to collector of donated bikes.
• Robb – who not only volunteers every week as a mentor down in Huonville but has also individually raised over $6,500 for the TasBC.
• Ally – whose role supporting students has been a major part of the success of young people attending the Clarence Plains program from Rokeby and Clarendon Vale Primary schools.

The TasBC Quiz Night

Winners are Grinners... but everyone was grinning at the TasBC quiz night. A great night that was designed for anyone to have a crack... there were no bike-related questions at all!

A huge thanks goes out to everyone who came along and supported us and had a great time. Thanks also to our quizmaster and especially to our event sponsors, together $7,500 was raised to support vulnerable kids! Watch out for the next one and don't miss out!

Event Sponsors:

• 2PM Services
• Over the Hill Gardening
• Cosy Pines Strahan
• Spirit of Tasmania
• Eden Whiskey Co
• The Old Woolstore
• Pennicott Wilderness Tours
• Teros
• Burgh
• Bob Jane T-Marts

Government Funding Update

Some of you may of been aware that the TasBC was facing an uncertain funding future. Fortunately, the State Government has seen the value in our work, and are starting to provide more base funding certainty. We are still working through the fine details but at least this means we can get on with working towards some other exciting future initiatives and keep expanding our reach and impact.

A huge thanks to everyone who has pitched in over the past 12 months to get us to this point. Without the support from local businesses, organisations and many, many individuals, we wouldn’t still be here!

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New Bikes & Kit for Xmas

GEAR UP!

The Tas Bike Collective has a range of new bike stuff to get your hands on as gifts! We have:

• A range of brand new MTB riding gear - with lots of women's kit - including shorts, jerseys, gloves, and knee & elbow pads.
  
• Brand New 'Batch' kids bikes in 12", 16" and 20" for first time shredders. Great quality finishes, solid build, child-friendly ergonomics, from $249
• A limited number of 'Atmos' MTBs in Small/Medium only. A full featured entry level bike with hydraulic disc brakes, in a classy gunmetal grey, for $549.
• We are open every Friday 10am - 5.30pm and also this Sat 9am - 12noon for our last sale day for the year. For more details see our FB event https://www.facebook.com/events/3896635017216155
• KidVelo bikes... Balance bikes that turn into pedal bikes! See below...

BIKES ARE FOR EVERYONE!

KIDVELO CONVERTIBLE BIKES

We are proud to be Hobart distributors for KidVelo Bikes. These bikes are cleverly designed so that they can start out life as a balance bike, then be converted (easily, by you, or we can do it for you) with the supplied parts and tools into a regular pedal bike.

Here are some great and unique features that we love:

• They're crazy light. Even with cranks and pedals and chains on, these are just about the lightest kids bikes we've ever come across. * WHY ARE KIDS' BIKES ALWAYS SO HEAVY ANYWAY??
• They come in 3 sizes - for toddlers right up to tweens.
• They're inclusive. Some children have difficulty with balance, coordination, muscle tone, or are recovering from medical procedures. With Kidvelo bikes, even older children can have a bike that helps them develop skills at their own pace.
• They're well priced. They cost about the same as, or even less than, many big brand name bikes (which don't have these features!).
• They're properly designed. The handbrake levers are kid sized, so little hands can actually use them. The saddles are sized just right for little bottoms, and they have long wheelbases for stability.
• They're compatible. You can put ordinary training wheels on them, or any other regular bike accessory you might like.
• They're basically normal bikes! They don't scream 'Special Bike'. They look just like the ones the other kids are riding.

Come and see us, or drop us a line and we can organise a test ride.

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