Surge in interest in cycling during COVID-19 has Hobart-based riders eager to grow local community
Three Hobart-based cyclists are eager to break down any stigma attached with the sport and help organise more events in southern Tasmania in an effort to attract more riders.
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INTEREST in cycling in Hobart spiked during the COVID-19 pandemic and attention is now turning in how to get casual riders connected and potentially stepping into more competitive action.
Southern-based cyclists Sofia Tsamassiros, Nicole Frain and Jessie Sawyer are also eager to break down stigma attached with the elite level of the sport.
Tsamassiros, who runs Eudaimonia Tasmanian Cycling Tours, launched a ‘Girl Gang’ ride once COVID restrictions eased as a way to support females to get on bikes and provide a safe space for them to meet other like-minded athletes.
The group meets on the last Saturday of every month — the second ride takes place this weekend — with Tsamassiros eager to grow the small and tight-knit cycling community.
“There are a lot of people who bought bikes at some point in time during COVID or just got on a really old dusty bike,” she said.
“We are keen to move people toward more participation within the sport as well, so it’s not just go out and ride your bike, up to a race, and having nothing in between.
“If we can introduce people to someone like Nicole, who does race, it makes that space a bit more friendly and inviting for people.
“Cycling can be quite an intimidating sport to get into, so many people have bikes, but to be a ‘cyclist’ sometimes seems elitist.”
Frain, a professional cyclist with the Sydney University — Staminade Women’s Cycling Team, is hoping to get more events off the ground in southern Tasmania to help increase participation.
Earlier this year the Mt Wellington Challenge was revived with great success, with ambitions for it to continue building into a Point to Pinnacle-type event on wheels.
“It’s having more emphasis on participation, we had around 100 entries [for the Mt Wellington Challenge] and it was one of the biggest events down south we have had in ages.
“We want to see more kids, juniors, families and the like go out and do that in the same way they do the Point to Pinnacle.
“Hopefully we can break down that barrier that racing has to be the top end elite talent.”
More details on the ‘Girl Gang’ ride can be obtained by contacting enquiries@tasmaniancyclingtours.com while information on events in the south can be found at www.hobartwheelers.com.au or cycling.org.au/tas.
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