This weekend a large section of central London is closed for a big cycling event. I was too late to register for the 100km race tomorrow, but the free 10km family ride sounded like fun. They are expecting around 50,000 riders, making it one of the biggest ever mass bike rides.
Continue reading Ride London Freecycle
Tag: bike
Hampstead Heath
I’ve bought myself a mountain bike, and today I went for my first serious ride. I rode it home from Camden on Monday, but that was only 40 minutes, partly along the Regent’s canal towpath, but mostly along the road.
Continue reading Hampstead Heath
Grand Union Canal
I’ve been on my first English bike ride today; along the tow path of the Grand Union Canal. I have been a bit ambivalent about buying a bike, because the roads around West Hampstead are very narrow and busy, which is not my idea of a great riding environment. So I decided to try hiring a “Boris bike”.
Continue reading Grand Union Canal
Mt Lion bike trip
The rumour Kerry had heard about a section of ridable trail along the ridge at the top of Mt Lion at Whangarei Heads is not untrue; it has even been newly metaled. The only problem is that it is barely 40 metres long, and you have to carry your bike up about 800 steps to get there.
Continue reading Mt Lion bike trip
Busby Head and Smugglers Cove
Having seen the inviting track leading out towards Busby Head a couple of days before, I didn’t need much persuasion to return.
Continue reading Busby Head and Smugglers Cove
Whanui Track
The old coach road down to Pataua is one of the finest pieces of continuous downhill single-track in the country.
Continue reading Whanui Track
Maraetai to Beachlands cycleway
Kerry and Audrey decided to ride the coastal trail leading north from Maraetai this morning, and they invited me to tag along.
Continue reading Maraetai to Beachlands cycleway
Tamaki Drive and Orakei Basin
Having just finished his exams, Kerry was keen to go on a long ride on Friday. The weather looked a bit dodgy, so we thought it best to find somewhere with shelter nearby.
Continue reading Tamaki Drive and Orakei Basin
Patok Cave
After a leisurely breakfast yesterday, we walked about three km north of town to visit a cave high up on a cliff.
Continue reading Patok Cave
Twin Coast Cycle Trail
Yesterday Kerry and I drove up to the Bay of Islands to “experience Northland’s best recreational trail”, according to the brochure. According to the website, this trail was scheduled to be fully opened this month.
Continue reading Twin Coast Cycle Trail
Moumoukai Valley mountain bike trails
With such a blue sky this morning I felt there was no better thing to do than ride my bike somewhere spectacular. I texted Kerry and he was thinking the same thing, so as soon as the traffic died down we headed south to the Hunua ranges.
Of all the mountain bike developments undertaken by the Auckland City Council, this is the one they got most right. Continue reading Moumoukai Valley mountain bike trails
Omaha cycleway
When I saw the blue sky this morning I decided I had to go for a long bike ride. Fortunately Kerry had the same idea, so by about 10AM we were on our way north, with a plan to ride at Tauwharanui.
Continue reading Omaha cycleway
Whakaipo Bay to Kinloch W2K
It took us a couple of attempts to find the start of this trail, but a couple of road cyclists at Acacia Bay put us on the right track. We were on our way by 10am, with the sun breaking through the mist and promising a warm day.
Continue reading Whakaipo Bay to Kinloch W2K
Whakamaru Dam south on Waikato River Trail
Tonight I’m staying in Mangakino with Kerry and our mountain bikes, with a plan to ride the W2K track at Taupo tomorrow.
Continue reading Whakamaru Dam south on Waikato River Trail
New trails at Totara Park
My sister Annie was heading back to Tasmania this morning, so I loaded my bike on the back of the car before taking her to the airport. I had originally thought of riding from Ambury Park, but found myself heading south to Manurewa to check out the new trails I have read about.
Continue reading New trails at Totara Park
Auckland MTB Club ride the Royal Albany
When I drove in to the Massey car park this morning, I could see almost a dozen riders from the Auckland MTB Club preparing to set off at 9am. I wanted to stop and introduce myself, but I could see Al’s car and trailer driving up the track on the hill behind us, so I set off after him to see if he needed a hand unloading.
Continue reading Auckland MTB Club ride the Royal Albany
Maraetai Forest and Beachlands Coast track
Our first mistake after leaving Kerry’s car at Maraetai Beach was to ride up the promising grass track beside the stream into the bush.
Continue reading Maraetai Forest and Beachlands Coast track
Dual on Motutapu
On Saturday morning, Felicity and I woke at 5am and headed to Devonport so I could catch the 6.30 ferry. A couple of hours later I was re-united with my bike and waiting for the start of the 50Km race.
Transformation at Woodhill
On my way out to Parakai to see Dad this morning, I stopped at Woodhill for a ride.
Continue reading Transformation at Woodhill
Eve’s Bush Orewa
Hoping that the trail would be reasonably dry, Kerry and I headed to the top of the hill behind North Orewa where a steep grass track leads down the hill.