Tasmanian Awards and Winners

It took a while to tally the results, but its finally finished... the 2009, KiloMikeEcoBike Tasmanian Awards! Don't worry, we all win, except that Rossarden hill and the road out to Eddystone Point Lighthouse.
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Best Cheerleaders: Great Australian Bike Riders (Takone to Tullah)! Way to go, you guys really know how to make a cyclist feel good!

Most needed and appreciated cup of tea: Ron and Lola at the Derwent River, ~5ks from Lake St. Clair Ntl. Park. And several times thereafter!

Best Cafe: Exetor Bakery. Donuts, berry turnovers, chocolate mint slices. I'm lucky I stopped myself there. All cyclists must stop! That sign should be on their door!

Best Pancakes: TIE! Rick's in Tullah and Dianne's in Strahan. So much pancake love, thank you!

Best blackberry picking and the most motivating "be the change you want to see in the world" lifestyle: Nick and Michelle. Organic gardening, yoghurt and soymilk making, biking and public transporting, climate change educating, bike safety advocating, humanuring, community building...yay!

Most gracious welcoming of a stranger in a tent camped on their property: Rick and Barbara! Plus, most delicious raspberries and homemade jam!

Favorite "luxury" items: Real towels and a pillow!

Kids most capable of making adults laugh: Ellen and Sam Hillcoat

Most illusive Australian Marsupial: the wild common wombat! You got away from me this time, but I still adore you and hold out hope for a sighting in other parts of Australia.

Best campfire meal: The Anderson's "hippy soup" at Mt. William Ntl. Park

Most luxurious bath: St. Mary's at Sally and Michael's house

Most loving hug: Jane, when walking up to her door and her coming outside and saying, "oh, come here, we have been reading your blog..." followed by the warmest, kindest hug

Most thoughtful responses to KiloMikeEcoBike blog entries: Dianne

Most stunning paintings seen on trip: Raymond and Helena. Not to mention, my wonderful hosts to my favorite town of the trip. Its got atmosphere, history, and stunning colors...Queenstown!

Most re-energizing family: Dave, Rebecca, Sarah, Katie, Claire, and Roseanna Boyle/Green. You guys came at just the right time!

Best question: Year 3-4 student in Hobart, "But, do you ever go on holiday?" "This is my holiday! And in a way, my entire life is my holiday!"

Most relaxing spot: Family 'shack" at Connellys Marsh

Best day trip: Strahan to Ocean Beach. Bird life, seals, mostly empty beach, peace.

Most ambitious business pursuit of the year: Dianne, founder of WombatsRUs, providing funny signs, edible treats, and encouraging text messages aimed at making Tassie cyclists happy and well fed.

Best backpackers: Swansea! Clean, warm, and NOT filled with drunk travelers, hooray!

Most gruesome hill: Rossarden, 7k climb

Best reward on top of a hill: Phil and Margaret, BB and Ali in Rossarden

Best tim tam supply: Phil and Marg

Best chocolate cake: Heather

Best sleepout: John, Gill, Ellen, and Sam's cubby house overlooking the Tamar River

Most thoughtful going away card: Ya Ho Tash! Full of warm fuzzies that kept my spirits up in some of the tougher Tasmanian moments.

Worst road conditions: C840 to Eddystone Point Lighthouse. Boo corrugated boo sand pits!

Best cuddle: Mater the Wombat at something wild wildlife sanctuary

Best unexpected ferry companions: Ted and Jane

Worst singer ever heard: Me, apparently. According to Alice in Deloraine. I know, I was shocked too!

Funniest text message received: "I woke up really needing to poo today and thought of you...Love, Julia."

Best garden gift surprise: John's in Triabunna. Peaches, apples, figs, and more!

Best tour guide: Phil on the tour of Rossarden

Most appreciated and happy run in with other cyclists: Jessie and Karon, 8 k's from Forth, 18 k's from Devonport.

Best weekend getaway: Cradle Mountain. Thanks Janet and Alice!

Most outstanding bike: GOAT! With zero punctured tires on some seriously rocky roads. At first I only liked you, but now I think I love you. Thank you, Goat, for transporting me safely all around that beautiful Tasmanian state!

And two awards that were impossible to distribute due to dozen way tie: Most spectacular bike ride and most welcoming, warm-hearted host. If you gave me a bed, a corner of floor, a place for my tent, or a warm shower and a few hours of company, then please know that you hold a very, very dear place in my heart. I was constantly wowed and made to feel very loved along my journey. So yay, all you folk in Tasmania, you win!
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Statistical extras during 50 day journey:
# of wahoos: 148
# of middle of the night pees (no, not IN the bed): at least 40
# of day hikes: approx. 8
# of times reached for granny gear: 784
# of tim tams consumed: approx. 23
# of ice-creams consumed: approx. 15
# of falls off bike: 2
# of cry times: approx. 3
# of peed pants times due to laughter: i really think its zero, i'm getting good!
# of hills walked up: 2.45. Hobart suburb street to Rebecca's place. Wielangta Forest Reserve dirt road full of steep, non-grippable surface. The final 200m to Jess and Matt's in St. Helen's. So steep!