It has been a busy five years for Tara and Steve Howell.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
And it is not set to get any quieter.
The couple is behind the Blue Derby Pods Ride, a three-day “soft adventure” experience that will take in the increasingly popular Blue Derby mountain bike trails in the North-East.
The project was approved through the state government’s expression of interest process for developments in national parks and the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area last year.
That’s just a small part of the journey.
Mrs Howell explained the concept for the ride was developed about five years ago.
“For the last three years we’ve really been pushing what we’re doing,” Mrs Howell said.
“It really came about because we’re both very passionate about Tasmania and about mountain biking.
“We also want to create great moments of realisation; giving people the opportunity to open up their eyes.
“It’s also a great opportunity for Tasmania and Northern Tasmania.”
The three-day, two-night ride anchors itself around its unique accommodation pods; custom-made creations that give the illusion of being suspended just above the forest floor.
“Nestled in Tasmanian bush, your pod sleeps two people,” Mrs Howell said.
“The curved walls give an enhanced coziness to the space, and as you lie back of an evening, you’ll look directly out to the tree canopy around you.”
Mrs Howell said the pods were designed to immerse their visitors in nature.
Inspired by research trips to established mountain biking destinations in Canada and New Zealand, the pods will be one with nature, and include outdoor showers, composting toilets, and solar panels.
The pods are about to head into the construction phase, and have been designed in Northern Tasmania by Philp Lighton architects.
The pods team has worked closely with Thomas Floyd at the firm, who shares their passion for mountain biking.
The building itself is set to be done by Anstie Constructions, and A2 Kitchen and Joinery will be fitting out the pods in Launceston before they’re installed on-site.
Mrs Howell said keeping the design and construction of the pods in Northern Tasmania was very important to the ethos.
It is expected that the ride will create eight jobs, plus the potential for two during the construction phase.
While artist impressions of the pods have been released before, around the project’s approval date, the team is keen to keep an air of mystery surrounding their final design, and won’t be releasing further images any time soon.
The chance to see the pods in the flesh is not far away – they were officially opened for bookings late last week.
Tours will be operating when the Enduro World Series hits town in April, and private bookings can be made from the end of that month.
The ride – or experience – itself taps into a different market.
Already established are trails that are challenging, advanced, and draw experienced mountain bikers from around the world.
Mrs Howell said the pod rides would still be thrilling and exhilarating, but would attract a different audience.
“It’s what we call ‘soft adventure’,” she explained.
“It’s really exciting because it’s going to bring in a different opportunity to the area.
“Bushwalking soft adventure tourism is already well established in Tasmania.
“You’re getting challenged, it’s not going to be easy.”
Two guides are scheduled to accompany each group (which is capped at eight), and Mrs Howell said this made a huge difference to riders’ skill levels.
“...Having someone who can pre-empt corners for you is really great, and you can do things that you didn’t think you could do,” she said.
“You get people doing rock drops and getting heart palpitations.”
The first day of the ride starts just outside Lilydale, with a 10-kilometre descent into the pods area, and that night it’s all about dinner made from locally sourced produce.
“The pods are in a secluded location. They’re very much in the bush,” Mrs Howell said.
On day two, there is a morning ride and an afternoon ride.
The morning route takes in a range of Tasmanian forest landscapes, with vistas and the potential for heart-in-mouth moments.
“(The afternoon ride is) around Cascade Dam through rainforest, tackling some world class berms along the way,” Mrs Howell said.
Participants are free to take on both, one, or neither of the rides – for those who opt out, there is a library and more at the pods.
The third and final day is a ride out to the township of Derby, where there is transportation to the highest point of the Blue Derby network.
From there, it’s a 20-kilometre rainforest descent to Weldborough.
“It’s important to us to give guests an opportunity for a moment of great realisation,” Mrs Howell said.
“We can take them to that small space and give them outdoor showers and they’ll be riding and they’ll be screaming because it’s so exhilarating, and dining on amazing, local food and wine and just going ‘Wow! This is what life is all about ... This is really great’.”