01/02/2026
“I’m available on the day to do anything, but I can’t change a tyre” Claire Kirby told me. “… and Chris Shelvo is available too.”
“Does Chris know he has volunteered?” I asked.
“He’s been voluntold” was the reply “and we’ll put up some cash for prize money.”
‘The Bikes and Spikes’ would be ‘The Spikes and no Bikes’ without some extraordinary people… like Claire Kirby and Chris Shelverton.
Wayne Freeman is also one of them… there isn’t a lot to say… track cycling in the South would be a thing of the past without him stepping up and rescuing it. That’s all. Special. Selfless. No vested interest. Just want to help… and does… week after week… and then takes charge on the 27th of December each year… as well as taking on a role as commissaire. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Justin McMullen hasn’t got time to chase sponsorship… so he just puts in a pile himself to make sure the prize money is covered. Then works on schedules, prize money breakups, getting the physical cash… then interrupts his annual family holiday and drives for hours on the day to make sure that riders get paid, erects marquees and does whatever else needs to be done… then drives back to be with the family.
Peter Smith was one of the founding fathers of the Bikes and Spikes over 40 years ago and he just turns up… and he keeps turning up… with a smile on his face. Thanks, Pete… if you’ve seen our cat, can you send him home?
Tim and Jenny Rogers have been willing helpers for years… often financially as well as on the day, and I’m very, very grateful.
Lynne Ryan has no direct connection to cycling in the South… but… she’s here judging and handing out numbers… and calling laps and other stuff when needed. Thanks Lynne, it’s reassuring to have you here and you’re very much appreciated.
Michael Eastwood - happy birthday by the way - keeps showing up to help with that great big grin on his face… and often with prize money when we need it. Thanks, Michael.
And there were officials… just doing their job you might say, but they’ve all been a pleasure to deal with while putting up with the challenges of our haphazard little carnival.
Chief Commissaire, Riley McGovern – thank you for being here and for the way you handle anything that’s a little bit sticky.
I didn’t even get to speak to Michael Bailey this year, but knowing he’s here always puts me at ease. Thanks mate.
Laurie Norris had one of the toughest jobs to do and under the most trying circumstances. Called in very, very late as senior handicapper with very limited time to research while juggling other events. Thank you so much for rescuing us at the last minute and being so reasonable to deal with, despite the challenges.
Orkar Pearce… thanks for all your work with the juniors, mate. It was a pleasure to have you here. Looking forward to catching up again.
Oh, and Sally Stretton… thanks for grabbing a marker and getting some handicap marks sorted that had been missed :)
I’m too much of a coward to put the hard sell on anyone directly for sponsorship. What if they’re just saying they will because they feel like they have to… or they’re too polite to say ‘no’? Or don’t want to say that they can’t afford it… or they just plain don’t want to? Which they are of course, entitled to say. I would understand.
Thank goodness some people just see the need and willingly put their hand in their pocket and make it happen.
Adrian Morrisby was one of the fastest riders we had on the track… as long as it was 1000 metres or less :) Now he’s working with Stratton Finance and he hasn’t forgotten his love of cycling. Thanks mate.
The Conn Family have a soft spot for Hobart Carnival. Matt won the Thousand… twice… now he’s giving us back all of his prize money… a few times over. Thanks Aaron and Matt.
The Big Winner doesn’t want anyone to know his real name, but I can tell you that he’s an exceptional bloke… and not because he handed over some cash for us to hand over to some cyclists. Special.
Mother of five, grandmother of one, winner of multiple wheelraces (including this year) Suzanne Strates twisted the arm of her husband to get Parthenon Souvlaki to sponsor some racing. We’re very grateful. Last year they fed athletes that arrived early… and the food was a hit!
Debbie Hobbes once got me into terrible trouble, forcing me to join her on an unauthorised bike ride in the 70s. She’s paying for it now in sponsorship :) Thanks favourite cousin. Yeah, I know… it was YOU that got into big trouble, but no one has to know that.
Danny Pullbrook has given up the bike to set up Pandani Remedial Massage… and he still has a soft spot for the sport. Lucky us :)
Rowena Chapman’s brother, Allan Knight spent years compiling profiles of significant Tasmanian cyclists… among other things. She wanted to remember him… and she wants us to remember him. We do remember… and we’re grateful to both of you.
There’s another bloke… one of the smartest racers to come out of Hobart. Always shows up when we need a motorbike for the keiren. Thanks, Simon Price.
And thanks to every rider that showed up… as well as the chauffeurs of those who couldn’t drive themselves here. I hope the reduced entry fee helped offset the cost of fuel a little. We’ll try to make that happen again next year.
If I’ve missed anyone, please speak up. I’ll be very embarrassed, and I’ll make it up to you:)
It was a year that we just scraped by, but we’ll be starting to get things organised earlier this year… and to make things a bit spicier.
I’m sure Ray Quarrell already has the running helpers, sponsors and performers covered, but I’d like to thank him for everything he does to keep this carnival alive.
DD
