Pakowhai Park and beyond

Wednesday 10th Feb 2021

On a grey, overcast morning, the Boots on Bikes team, (fifteen in all), gathered at Pakowhai  Park to ride one of our favourite circuits – along the stop bank trail to Hastings Golf Club and  home (by various routes). 

Undeterred by the weather forecast (which proved to be wrong – again!) we set off in the  direction of Omahu Rd, making good progress, despite having to negotiate a number of  gateways scattered along the trail. 

Exercising extreme caution, we crossed Omahu Rd and continued on to Highway 50, stopping  at the Roys Hill Reserve for morning tea (or “lunchette” to use Graemes’ definition), after  which we continued on down the trail, turning left into Ngatarawa Rd, then to the Golf Course  entrance on Maraekakaho Rd, just past the airfield. 

Arriving at around 10-30am, we passed a large collection of vintage cars on our way to the  upstairs Cafe, where we ordered our favourite treats, sitting on the balcony, enjoying the view  and admiring the immaculately manicured putting greens. 

After an enjoyable interlude, we set off on the homeward journey, in various directions,  according to our final destinations.  

All in all it was an enjoyable ride – the high overcast kept the worst of the heat at bay, the  headwinds were minimal and the predicted rain did not eventuate. 

Riders: – Christine H, Lynn W,, Heather S,, Rodger Burn, Raewyn R,  Alan B, Pam P, Sharon W, Peter H, Jim H, Joan R, Alasdair S,  Ray M, Des S, Scott C