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.
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.
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