I hadn't ridden on my own bike for 21 years as I had a scare on St Georges Rd in the first few months we lived there. I didn't want to ride along the road there anymore because of a close encounter with a speeding truck and no room to safely get out the way on the narrow berm!
However 5½ yrs ago, I was persuaded by my very keen sister, brother and sister-in-law to go on a bike wine trail, which we did – it was 24kms and a great day.
And then this Christmas holidays my sister Bianca once again asked to go on a bike ride so we did with a group of friends (Cheryl Paget, Zoe Wilkinson and Julie Speers). Four of us hired bikes at a bike hire place at East Rd, Te Awanga and Julie brought her own.
We cycled down to Clifton Café for morning tea admiring gardens and pohutukawas in full flower. Then back to Clearview Estate for a very civilised lunch and glass of wine. After lunch we cut through the vineyards behind Clearview up to Park Rd, struggled up the steep hilll and down the gravel drive to Maggie T’s Pots. Then whizzed down the hill and back to the bike hire place where we left Zoe and Julie. Cheryl, Bianca and I continued biking around Haumoana and onto the cycle ways for another 8km ride. It was a great way to spend the day and the bikes were great – lovely comfortable seats and very simple (no gears).
So the fun of cycling with family and friends (plus the bonus of café, pottery and winery visits along the way) has inspired me. My old bike has been taken out of the garage and after cleaning off the cobwebs and 21 years debris, we took it to the cycle shop last week to see if its resurrect able.
I have not heard otherwise, so we pick it up on Friday and the cycling will recommence. It will start with a few rides to work with Cheryl and then registering in the Bikewise Challenge.
Marit :)
Thanks for the inspiration, Marit. Biking doesn't have to be hard work - it can be a cruisey ride around the vineyards. Sounds like a great day out.
ReplyDeletePatrick Morgan