Wednesday 5 November 2025

Leader: Bryan Wild

Six of us caught the train to Porirua for a morning ride around Whitireia Park with a planned journey north on the cycle track back to Kapiti. It was a sunny morning, albeit with a keen northerly wind. After heavy rain earlier in the week, it was good to be back in the saddle again.

We began with a short trip via the footpath or cycle lane from the station to Onepoto Road. We cycled past the boat club before picking up the shared path next to the inlet. The tide must have been high as the water was lapping the shore a half metre or so from the track.

The track was narrow in places with a gravel substrate requiring extra care to prevent sliding and getting a thorough soaking. After 2 ½ hours the track opened up, with the gravel giving way to hard ground and grass. It was very pleasant with great views of Plimmerton and Mana Island.

We had a twenty-minute rest with drinks and snacks, before cycling to the western track endpoint. From there we back tracked onto the sealed road, climbing to the radio mast. We then wound down to the Titahi Bay beach area where we stopped at a lovely little café to rest our legs and chat for a while. There we were served with delicious cappuccinos and lattes.

Replenished, we road cycled back to Porirua, crossing the overbridge on SH 58. We cycled behind the Gear Homestead and the Police College before picking up the track again at Ngati Toa Domain. From there it was easy riding to Plimmerton for our lunch stop at the Big Orange which never disappoints. We had a great lunch with more coffee and more chat. Four of us then hopped back on the train whilst the Coxes cycled up the hill to Pukerua Bay and north to Paekakariki.

A great way to spend five hours on a sunny day.

Those on the trip were:

Adrian Jull, Bryan Wild, Dave Cox, Marian Cox, Owen Cox, Susan Robertson

Currently there is no photo album for this trip.