Weather: TasCarnivals cancels bike events due to damaging winds

Severe and damaging winds are battering the south of the state, with organisers forced to pull the pin on a popular TasCarnivals event.

A world record attempt by Lizanne Wilmot Penny Farthing at TasCarnival’s Bikes and Spikes has been cancelled due to wild weather. Picture: Caroline Tan

12.20pm: TasCarnivals organiser has confirmed all cycling events in today’s Bikes and Spikes Carnival have been cancelled due to severe winds.

Race director David Dennis said with winds up to 100km/h, “you can’t race a bike without getting blown over”.

TAS Carnivals Hobart - Michael Bailey Chief Commissaire Aus Cycling at New Town Oval. Picture: Caroline Tan

At noon, Mr Dennis said running events would continue, with the Gift race most likely to take place “a little earlier” – no specific time was given.

Mr Dennis said after generating “a fair bit of interest” – particularly for Lizanne Wilmot’s penny farthing speed record attempt – the cancellations were a shame.

“She won’t get to have a crack at it now,” she said.

“We’d like to reschedule but it will have to be in a different form.

“The trouble is the big names are due to fly out of Launceston on the 1st so to reschedule would probably be something the following week.”

Mr Dennis said it would be “a smaller carnival but for some of the biggest prize money”.

TAS Carnivals Hobart - cyclists packing up at New Town Oval. Picture: Caroline Tan

12pm: Cyclists are packing up their bikes after severe winds thwarted TasCarnivals’ plans.

The Bikes and Spikes Carnival at New Town Oval was scheduled for today, however organisers have pulled the pin on the cycling events due to dangerous conditions.

The world record attempt by the penny farthing has also been canned.

It’s not the only sport event impacted by the conditions, with the Launceston to Hobary Yacht Race also hindered.

Orgaisers say the race will now start at 2pm.

The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a severe weather warning in the South East and parts of Western, Upper Derwent Valley, East Coast and Midlands Forecast Districts.

It’s forecast damaging wind risk would continue into early this afternoon.

Wind gusts of 144 km/h was recorded at kunanyi/Mt Wellington at 8.48am this morning.

More to come.