Clive to Hastings

Spring has sprung - finally. Today we decided to try the new track from the outskirts of Clive heading towards Hastings, to see if it was finished - it's not. But still, it was a lovely WARM day and there's really only a short bit from the end of the showgrounds to the Information centre at the old Hastings railway station that, as far as we could see, is yet to be completed.
With the warm came the scents of spring as well as quite a few other fragrances that were not so sweet. Most of the track travels through industrial land, behind factories and beside the rail track. We were sure we could smell onions as well as wafts of baking coconut cake.
The big thrill was a new bridge to go over - have I mentioned I love bridges. It has a netting on the surface which makes a rather satisfying buzzing noise when you ride over it.
Most of the track is in good condition, firm limestone and concrete, but it does have a rather odd starting point that has no available parking. We decided to start down by the river which although was turgid from all the recent rain, was calm and sparkling and full of water birds frolicking in the sunshine.
We wended our way through the back streets of Clive to avoid the main road which when we did finally strike it, wasn't so bad, after all.

We followed the river for a short stretch, through a little park and onto the road in Whaktu. Not quite sure where to go here but just as I was about to consult the map, Rich spots the track. We have no idea where we are but eventually recoginize the polo grounds and then the back of the showgrounds. We stop at the end of this part, mainly because the off road track ends here.

It wasn't a long ride, 15.52 km according to my phone, but we can see the potential of making it part of a longer loop, which will make it altogether more interesting and satisfying.

Another New Favourite Ride

We have a new favourite ride! At the moment it's a little unknown treasure and we only discovered it by chance. Biking back from Clifton the other day, innocently meandering along, we turned a corner and were confronted by a large group of hoons, bellowing and carousing on their poncy hire bikes. I just about had a nasty accident and veered off to the side. The hoons stopped too. Turns out they were half expecting to see us as they knew we frequented this ride. My cousins and their offspring were up in Napier to celebrate Jaimie's 21st and had hired bikes in Clive and were heading to Clearview for lunch. The bike hire lady had recommended several rides, one which they were doing and another which would have taken them through the back of the vineyard. Naturally we pricked up our ears and took note.

Reid whanau

The following week after a little research the team meet at Black Bridge and took the track on the opposite side of the river to the one we normally take. We had never done it before as it was only a short ride beside the river, ending at Moore Rd which meets up with the Tukituki Valley Rd and we knew that was awfully hilly.

We shouldn't have been so soft. The track follows the Tukituki River for about 5 kms and it really is quite a  delightful ride, in complete contrast to it's brother on the opposite side. We've taken to avoiding most of that track now, taking the roads and only popping back on the track in order to visit the coffee cart that is nestled in Katriona and Tiki Mara's vineyard.

The limestone  ends at Moore Rd which is a short and deceptively nasty little road. You can hardly tell by looking at it but it is ALL hill. Quite a workout! We take a moment to catch our breath and looking around our breath is taken away again. Out gaze is drawn up the valley  to Te Mata peak looming over the country side. It's a view of the peak we've never seen before.

Deceptive gradient

That last bit is a killer.

The sleeping giant from the side.

While the next part of the ride is on road, it is, nevertheless, very picturesque, with lots of tall English trees dressed in their autumn garments; and it's downhill!

We turn onto Raymond Road which does have a 'little rise' in it near Haumoana School. Again we stop to catch our breath and our gaze sweeps out over golden glowing vineyards and out to the dramatic cliffs of Cape Kidnappers. So very beautiful.

The back of Elephant Hill Winery. Picture taken at a later date. (No golden leaves)

Weeeeeeeee!

We free wheel down to the end of the road and stop at the back entrance to Clearview vineyard where we stop and dither for a moment or two as the sign very definitely says we can't drive in. We ask a passing horse rider who has two Japanese tourists in tow. He assures us we are at the right place and Rose offers to give some riding advice  that is brusquely declined.

It's a short trip through the vineyard and we stop for coffee to ease our consciences. Then it's back onto the Haumoana/Te Awanga limestone track and only a short trip to the car.

Yet again we count our blessings and feel sorry for anyone who isn't us as we eat our picnic lunch on yet another glorious Hawkes Bay autumn day.

River mouth