Wednesday 10 December 2025

Leader: Brian Solomon

We met at Solly's house bright and fairly early, ready for our bike trip.

We got away at 9.00 and cycled to QE2 Park, meeting up with Chris, Glenda, Sue and John the butcher at the Rainbow Court entrance to the park. Solly explained there would be some track level one cycling on sealed track, some level 2 cycling on gravel track, some level 3 riding on grassy track and some level 4 cycling on very little track. And so we zig-zagged our way in a generally southerly direction, mainly on grassy tracks covering the lesser cycled parts of the park.

At one point we travelled through the remnant coastal forest which is definitely a hidden gem. After yet another short sharp grassy climb, Bryan W. declared that that was quite enough cycling and coffee was definitely due. So we continued more directly south to Paekakariki and enjoyed a coffee at the Perching Parrot (or a name somewhat similar). As a bonus Susan and a newly barbered David met us for a quick chat before the whip was cracked again and it was back on the bikes heading for home - but into the wind.

We started along the foreshore but the wind was a bit strong, so we headed inland a little and went up and over every sand dune we could find before getting onto the main track near the model aeroplane airport. We said farewell to Chris and Glenda and continued to our various homes, happy to have earned food and drink, and still with a bit of the day for other activities.

Those on the trip were:

Brian Solomon, Chris Keating, Glenda Robb, Susan Robertson, Dave Cox, Bryan Wilde, John Rowland, Sue Sparkes, Lynsay Flowers

Currently there is no photo album for this trip.