Bike to Breakfast down to the Viaduct Basin

It was the ANNUAL Bike to Breakfast, run by the Auckland City Council, today. (The first time Helen and I have partaken). And early start from Te Atatu at 5.55am in the dark, hoping to reach the 'bike bus' at Pt Chev by 6.30. This is us on top of the ramp on the motorway overbridge by Patiki Road en route to Pt Chev.

The group awaiting us when we got to Pt Chev crossroads - yes, that's a lot of lycra and fluoros.
Before heading out, Mark (organiser of bike bus) read the 'rules' - two abreast etc. Plan was to meet up with Frocks on Bikes going down Queen Street.

And so we set off past Western Springs - motorway in full flow to the side - and we pretty much kept to a tight bunch.
Waited at the lights at St Lukes Rd.
Cycling down behind Kingsland.
Finally up to the top of the hill - Upper Queen St - with police escort waiting, ready. That's Helen there.
About to head off down Queen Street - K Rd in the distance.
And we're off. . .
K Rd lights.

Heading down Queen St, we picked up Frocks on Bikes on the way down.
Glamourpusses!
Police car about to intervene and allow us through against the lights on the main road through Auckland City. YAY.
Helen looking back as the police car comes forward .. . Frocks on bikes 'feeling the moment'.
A frock putting her bike up on the stand once we reached Viaduct Basin.
Bike, bikes and more bikes
BREAKFAST!
Plenty of stands for all the bikes that came in from all four corners of Auckland.
I like the sails visible beyond all the bikes.
We headed in to see what was for breakfast.
Muesli, yoghurt, toast, fruit, fruit drinks, snack bars, liquid breakfast, coffee - I think we had it all!
Prizes distributed. The Frocks on Bikes crowd included us in their group, and we all ended up on stage and received a free back pack full of goodies. TV One Breakfast show did a short segment with the FOB crowd and HER (Handlebra Easy Riders) hung around in the background.
Contemplating leaving after a good hour there.
My outfit and bike and a very satisfied expression . . .
Helen just as smug.
. . . and straight to Britomart to try for a train out to Henderson - a much more salubrious way to get past the deep hills surrounding the city.
Free bike travel this week, so it only cost us single fare out on the special carriage for disabled people (wheelchairs) or bikes. We felt a wee bit disabled by this stage.

Got to Henderson, and then had a great coffee, and then followed the very pleasant cycle trail to Te Atatu and home.

Here's the video of us setting out with the Bike Bus from Pt Chev.

And the video of Queen Street during the ride through it this morning! It is possible to look a TINY bit like Copenhagen

Helen 'pimps' her bike too

Yes, now we have TWO bikes with flowers around the basket. That does speak volumes about enjoying the ride as much as getting there. At least we hope so.

The Longest Trail so far

If you click on this you should see it in larger format - I hope.
We did our longest trail yet - in from Te Atatu, via Pt Chev and Newton, up to Symonds St and along until we freewheeled all the way down to the bottom of Parnell Rise. Then along Tamaki Drive until we got to Okahu Bay. Here.
Tired, hot, but the tide way out, and therefore, no swim.
Bikes well laden with all manner of 'necessaries' like togs, towels, thermos, lunch, CUSHIONS.
We then went UPHILL - Parnell Rise, via the Rose Gardens, and ended up at the Domain for a couple of hours.

Listening to some distant jazz music, and watching various people arriving to listen to the concert.
Helen bringing back coffee from a local kiosk.
and the band stand with the jazz players in it can be seen through the trees, and below.
After the Domain we returned via Grafton Bridge - to Pt Chev.
. . . and went along Pt Chev road to the beach, and although the tide still pretty low, managed to soak in the waters for a while before heading home along the motorway bike lane. Whew. 50kms in all.

7 February - FOUR of us cycled into the West today

We have a three-day weekend, so today was spent enjoying nothing but leisurely cycling - with newcomers to the Handlebra Brigade. John and Naomi came across from Torbay with their cycles on the back of the car, and joined us to progress into the West. John is an old Westie, so already knows the area and has a great fondness for it. This is my bike all packed for the journey with planned coffee breaks and a lunch break at the Falls.

The four of us ready to go. Jan (our other HER member was working today but cycled to work in Henderson and back anyway at an earlier hour).
Our first water break. . .
Yes, John and Naomi WERE richly enjoying themselves. . .
Stopped for coffee at The Falls Restaurant, where John kept meeting old friends.
In between this shot and the last was a fair amount of cycling. We returned via the Falls and had a picnic lunch here on this table.
Naomi recovered from some aches by lying down. The water, as you can see, was at low tide. . .
I'm fiddling with bits and pieces. Look what we managed to unload from our bikes and put on table.
Upon arrival home, the hammock called. . .
Naomi's turn. . .
and then Johns.
Lovely view straight up from hammock. (I wonder if I can fit that on my bike?)