Around Dairy Flat (Hah!)

I drove across to Torbay and met up with the Cowans and then convoyed up to Dairy Flat this morning, where we did a respectable 20 km ride around the rolling countryside past the aerodrome and some lovely lifestyle blocks.
The worst hill was the one we came down to start with, behind Naomi in the picture above. It went on and on.
The official group portrait (above). On the return voyage we went past a car in the yard with what looked like a body on it. Upon closer investigation it was a gallery of sorts so we went into the yard and found that the owners were friends of the Cowans. A delightful stop over including chat, coffee and cake, and roaming the grounds looking at sculptures that international artists were presently working on for a coming exhibition next weekend.




LOVED Bob the Aussie Terrier cross below.
Then I returned to Te Atatu and found Helen had gone off and obtained this delicious bike trailer. Opening the way for longer trips involving tents and equipment. Yay.

Bike to Breakfast 2010

Looking forward to this annual event the night before - we met to check out our bikes and pimp them up suitably.
Neighbours, friends and family got involved of course.
The next morning, about to head off at 5.45 from Te Atatu, awaiting Jan who had slept through her alarm.
Taken on the Waterview bridge.
Jan's basket. . .
Helen's basket. . .
My basket . . .
and the helmets of course.
Joined the bike bus at Pt Chev and continued along the cycle path toward the city.
We didn't have a police escort down Queen Street this time, but still, it was great fun.


Arrived at the Viaduct and got swept into a frenzy of photos and television which was unexpected and very exhilarating. Breakfast was forgotten what with interviews with Tamati from TVOne breakfast show (below). That's Jenny from Cycle Action Auckland with Jan.
The winning helmet!
Helen won an Avanti bike for her outfit.
Finally got to take helmets off and enjoy a great breakfast, before cycling back up Queen St and home.
My angel looks exactly as I felt upon arrival back at Te Atatu.
Some clips from the tv show.

Check out the link for Wed 17 Feb 2010 - chapter 6
http://tvnz.co.nz/breakfast/video

Waiwera and surrounds

We four did the trip from Waiwera along the country road inland following the inlet/stream yesterday. Beautiful day, and a patch of 3kms of gravel within the 23kms we did on which to practice for the Rail Trail.
Heading off around the corner under the bridge leading into the township.
On gravel (below) and enjoying a break from the jarring.



We stopped at a War Memorial that was pretty substantial as far as they go.
And on the way home found this private bridge appealing - if only we could have jumped into the inviting water below.
We did have an iceblock and a swim in the sea at Waiwera before returning to the Cowan's for bbq and champagne. Then a bit of desultory planning for the Rail Trail and some more pictures to view on the lounge wall from John's laptop.

Bike Wise to Work Challenge

I am finding this challenge a real incentive to getting out there. Have done my third trip in to work in the city, as well as some adventure cycling in the weekend, and amassed 133 kms in the last week alone. Stunning - for me that is! I find it amazing that only a couple of years ago I watched the cycle lane from the bus on the North Western motorway and just didn't even contemplate that I could get that far, let alone to work. Yee ha.

Te Atatu to St Heliers, then Devonport and back

We had about the best adventure yet on our bikes yesterday. Took most of the day - 12 hours - and set off at 8.45 toward the city, just following our noses with a thermos, sandwiches, blankets and togs.
High tide mark still showing on the North Western motorway cyclepath.
Took the customary photo on the Waterview bridge.
Got in to lower Parnell and discovered the cafe at the Fabric shop.
Great coffee!
By the time we arrived at Okahu Bay we were ready for a swim even if the tide was half out.
My trusty steed was holding up fine.
Headed around to Kohimarama and St Heliers.
I spotted some friends at Kohimarama beach and stayed for another swim with these two went on to St Heliers. Then we cycled to the Viaduct and caught the ferry across to Devonport.

Great day for it too. A stiff breeze at times but it cooled things down. This is Helen and Nicola at the pier at Devonport before we did a bit of a cycle further into the suburbs.
Skytower behind Nicola.
Came back for a coffee/chai/tea at a cafe in Devonport.
Nicola headed off up North to Greenhithe and Helen and I went back on the ferry and up Queen St (in togs and with salty hair). We found a nice man in the booth at the carpark below the Town Hall, who secured our bikes in an area near his booth, and we went up and had a roast dinner at the Food Hall before going to see 'It's Complicated'.
Came out in the pink light of evening and set off toward the sunset and Te Atatu. This time we followed the road down through Grey Lynn and caught up with the cyclepath at St Lukes.
Got home after 50kms and 12 hours, having had a glorious day.