We were met with a stunning weekend in Derby, the town abuzz with the Gravity Enduro Series – a perfect weekend to show off all Derby had to offer for interstaters and even Launceston locals. We were lucky enough to secure The Dales after a last-minute cancellation and we could not have asked for a better accommodation as our home base to celebrate a 30th birthday.
There was a good mix of all levels of riders and also a number of non-riders, who still had plenty to see and do – lounging by the fire, walking round the lake, watching the Gravity Enduro riders and checking out the town. Unfortunately, the Floating Sauna was booked out, we’ll have to come back again to try it out.
We opted to order pizzas and garlic bread from The Hub on Friday night which was delicious. By calling ahead a few days earlier we ensured we could get our order in to avoid disappointment. We ventured to the Weldborough Hotel for Saturday lunch where we met the rest of the group who had ridden the Blue Tier trail. We made the most of Saturday night in with an epic Paella feast around the fire after a day spent riding, walking and relaxing in the beautiful sunshine. You can’t have a birthday without cake and in theme for Saturday night, a camo chocolate mud cake was a hit! Baked with love by Bec, a Launceston local, certainly nailed the brief!
The facilities made it easy for everyone to come and go as they pleased, and not once did it feel too crowded for a full house. The central location was an easy walk into town for a morning coffee and an afternoon espresso martini. Having all linen provided was an added bonus; one less thing to worry about when packing.
"We’re already looking at planning another trip to The Dales, hopefully next time we can stay a little longer."