Governor's hometown trip for Pollie Pedal

A final briefing for Pollie Pedal participants as they prepared
to set off from New Norfolk this morning.

THE 2017 Pollie Pedal set off from New Norfolk this morning, bound for the finish line at Government House in Hobart. The three-day road cycling event started at Hadspen in northern Tasmania on Friday and headed south via the Lakes.

Now in its 12th year, Diabetes Tasmania’s Pollie Pedal helps to increase awareness of diabetes in local communities, raises funds to support people living with and at risk of diabetes, and helps to reduce the impact of diabetes on all Tasmanians.

The event is designed for cyclists seeking a challenging ride through the beautiful Tasmanian landscape and all funds stay in Tasmania to support Tasmanians. State Lyons MHA Guy Barnett is a long-time participant in the event and this year was joined by fellow Lyons MHA Mark Shelton and state Attorney-General Vanessa Goodwin along with a host of non-Pollie pedallers.

This year's course was a new one, leaving Hadspen and travelling down to the Great Lake Hotel via Longford, Cressy and Poatina. On Saturday the cyclists pedalled through the Highland Lakes area, into the Steppes State Reserve and then a lunch stop at Bothwell before travelling into the Derwent Valley to end the day at New Norfolk. A barbecue tea was held at Tynwald Park in the evening.

Tasmanian Governor Kate Warner was front and centre among the Pollie Pedal
participants as they prepared to set off from New Norfolk this morning.

For the final leg from New Norfolk to Hobart this morning, Governor Kate Warner and Mr Dick Warner joined in.

The day started with an early-morning tour of Willow Court to learn a little of the convict history of the site, as well as a sneak peek of Rodney Dunn's restaurant development.

After a final briefing, the riders set off for Hobart via the Lyell Hwy. The ride finished in the grounds of Government House.