About Us
Learn some more about who we are and what we do.
What is Ride the Byroads?
Ride the Byroads started out as an idea to create a motorcycle route using only dirt roads and spanning the length of Tasmania. It has now grown into a website that showcases the best that rural Tasmania has to offer; its spectacular scenery, unique roads, wonderful food and hospitality.
- The RTB east coast trail is roughly 960 km long and stretches from Eddystone Point Lighthouse in the northeast to Cockle Creek in the south.
- The RTB west coast trail is roughly 795 km long and stretches from the Stanley Photo Frame in the northwest to Cockle Creek in the south.
The routes runs on back-country and forestry roads and has been carefully curated so that you can drop off the main spine of the trail and explore smaller limbs or byroads. We are hoping our trails will be of great benefit and enjoyment to the riders as well as providing financial assistance to lesser known rural communities.
Riding a motorcycle changes the simplest of commutes into an event that challenges the mind in ways that driving just can't. In a 'use it or lose it' sense, riding a motorcycle appears to be a great form of exercise for your brain and a way to help reduce the impact that aging can have on cognitive function.
- Dr Ryuta Kawashima
Darrel
Born and raised on the south island of New Zealand, I started riding motorbikes when I was 10 years old with my twin brother. We spent our spare time competing in enduros (4-stroke class) riding high country tracks, trails and sheep and cattle stations in and around Southland and the Central Otago areas. After completing my apprenticeship I found a job and settled down in Tasmania and became an Australian citizen not long after. Tasmania is very similar to New Zealand in its beauty, from the rolling green hills to its forests and mountains.
I attended a mental health first aid course conducted by RAW (Rural Alive and Well). It was there I learnt of the good work that RAW does in Tasmania and that is where my idea for this website and collaboration with RAW was formulated. Most motorcyclists have heard of Backcountry Discovery Routes (Ride BDR USA), I found out that Western Australia had a similar track that is 900 km long (the MundAl Track), the track passes through the forests and the backcountry roads of Perth down to Albany. I thought why can't this be done in Tasmania?
Jono 👨💻
Hey there, my name is Jono. I am the nerdier half of Ride the Byroads - I also happen to be Darrel's son. I work full-time as a Software Engineer here in Tasmania. In my spare time I enjoy trying my hand at landscape photography. If you are interested, I have provided a link to my photography portfolio here.
Even though I don't ride motorcycles, I still share my dad's vision for promoting positive mental health and supporting rural Tasmania. Speaking as a self-diagnosed computer addict, I can attest to the benefits of stepping away from technology and reconnecting with nature.