Over Labour weekend we said sayonara to the city of sails and headed off towards Waiheke Island with our mountain bikes in tow.
I had been to Waiheke once but it was a few years ago and I had the joy of a vehicle so while I managed to see a lot of the island I didn’t really appreciate it quite as much as when your under your own steam. The b/f had never been before.
With little research other than finding out when the ferries left so we wouldn’t be stranded over there we grabbed our bikes and rode down to the wharf, purchased our tickets and were soon on our merry way. FYI – $35.50 for an adult return ticket from Auckland CBD as at October 2013.
We arrived on the Island, grabbed a map from the information center at the wharf and starting peddling. We went through Oneroa (where there were a lot of people and cars out and about – I guess a nice sunny day does that ;)) and popped down a side street and ended up on the beach which was beautiful, although I’m not sure it was warm enough to justify a dip in the ocean, there were people swimming.
We headed back up to the main road and continued up a rather longer hill (remember how I said I had the power of four wheels the first time I went to Waiheke – I didn’t realise how hilly it was until we arrived on two wheels!). When we reached the top we decided to try and get off the beaten track a little and away from the cars.
After following the map thinking we would end up on the beach on the other side of the island we ended up at a couple of dead ends and very steep walking paths but managed to eventually find our way to the esplanade where we cycled around and hit a few more dead-ends and walking paths. ‘
It was about here we realised that Waiheke Island is more catered towards walkers rather than cyclists – at least at this end of the island anyway. We stopped for a picnic lunch (a mish mash of dried fruit and nuts, protein truffles (recipe to come!), protein bars and corn thins as I had only packed snacky type foods.
We took another look at the map and continued on to what we thought would bring us along the beach and back around to the wharf – yep you guessed it – not the case! More walking tracks, le sigh!
We decided it was time to head home, and on the upwards (again) cycle it began to rain a little, luckily it never really came to anything and we made it back dry. Once we got on the ferry and sat down I think we both realised how tired we were and almost nodded off – not so good when we still had to cycle from the wharf in the CBD to our apartment in Newmarket!
After another hill (through the domain) we arrived home. I must say I am VERY VERY grateful for bike pants! I wasn’t too sure when I purchased them if they would be worth it or not, or if I should just harden up. After over three hours on the bike wearing the bike pants (quite thick padding, my bum does look big in them :P) I still had a bit of pain the next day, I can’t imagine what it would have been like if I didn’t wear them!
Do you own a bike?
Where is the best place you have cycled?