Cycling to Fight Prostate Cancer

Ride #3 Update

Ride #2 Update

We are now doing 3 rides!

Distance Cycled

Ride #1

Ride #2 Details

Ride #2 10:00am Sunday 14 September.  Approximately 20km.

The ride starts at Ambury Farm, near the information centre.  From their we take the Watercare Coastal Walkway down to and around the Mangere Lagoon.  This section is light gravel.  We then return to the information centre before heading towards the Manukau Yacht & Motor Boat Club via the Kiwi Esplanade Walkway which we follow all the way to the Nga Hau Mangere Bridge.  We go over the bridge, turning left on the Onehunga side and riding up to the Taumanu Reserve where there are toilets.  We then go back over the bridge to the Mangere Bridge town centre where there are numerous eating establishments for refreshments and/or lunch.  We then retrace our path up Kiwi Esplanade back to Ambury Farm.

You may like to consider making it a family day with a picnic at Ambury Farm after the ride.

I did this ride with my 7 year old grandson, who managed it without problem, albeit with a few rest stops.  

Details for Ride #1 - Thanks to Ian Deverick

Ride #1  9:30am Wednesday 10 September.  Approximately 30km.

This curated bike route begins from the Akarana Yacht Club at Orakei Bay. It follows Tamaki Drive along the coast to St Heliers and up the hill to Achilles Point. Winding downhill through Glendowie to Wai O Taiki Bay, the trail leaves the quiet suburban streets and joins a shared bike/pedestrian Tamaki path alongside the estuary. Passing through Point England, Riverside Reserve and sports fields, the path returns briefly to suburban streets rejoining a dedicated bike path running alongside Panmure Lagoon. Careful attention is needed to navigate from Panmure station to the dedicated bike path. The industrial area is quite a contrast to the coastal section.

Running alongside the railway line, a path finds Morrin road, a right hand turn into Tainui Rd, Hannigan Drive and an alleyway taking one to Merton Rd. Hop across the road and join Te Ara ki Uta ki Tai (The path of the land and the sea). That path climbs to the top of the hill and Kohimarama Rd. Continue to St John’s Corner, cross at the lights and rejoin the trail which falls from the Meadowbank Pony club to rejoin the railway line, crosses the Orakei basin causeway, turns right then left to Kepa Rd - Ngapipi Rd. Right turn at the Tamaki Road intersection and in half a K you will be back at the start for coffee at the Akarana Eatery.

Detailed description of route:

Start: Royal Akarana Yacht Club, 8-10 Tamaki Drive. Car parking is available.

Travel along Tamaki Drive, past Fergs Kayaks, Kelly Tarltons, Mission Bay, Kohimaramara to St Heliers Bay. There are plenty of tempting cafes and food outlets, but you’ve not earned your kai yet.

At the end of St Heliers beach, straight ahead there is a relatively steep hill climb, Cliff Rd. Up you go to Achillies Point, catch your breath and continue on along Springcombe Rd. Not too fast, because you need a left hand turn into Glover Rd. Follow Glover Rd around the park and up to the intersection of Waitara and Riddell Rd. Turn left into Riddell Rd.  

After a short climb, Riddell Rd winds itself downhill alongside some nicest houses “with the best views” towards the inner Hauraki Gulf. It is a relatively quiet road, but sections have been recently resealed, so there is some loose gravel on some corners.  

At the bottom of that descent, the ride arrives at Roberta Reserve. You turn left here, Roberta Ave. Can’t miss this turn as there are two cafes, a takeaway bar and a curry restaurant. Keep the momentum going and climb Roberta’s Avenue uphill to West Tamaki Rd. Turn right. 

Aim for Taniwha St. Just past some more businesses (and another cafe). Turn left into Taniwha. If Sacred Heart College appears on your right, you’ve over-shot, Aim for the Taniwha again. This street is another pleasant down hill swoop, made pleasant by a bike path shielded from any traffic. 

But don’t get carried away with the relief of hard uphill grind. Look for Kiano Place, a no exit place for cars. It will be on the left, just past Kotae Rd also on the left. Kiano place is the entrance to a shared bike/pedestrian path that travels along the coast.  

From Waiotaiki Nature reserve you’ll travel along to Point England. Keep to the coastal path, unless you wish to explore any of the side roads, because the path continues alongside sport’s fields and coastal reserves until finishing at the Panmure yacht club. 

Your ride doesn’t finish there though. Follow Kings Road, the only road onward and turn first left, Riverview Rd. At the intersection of Queens Rd and Bridge St, turn left into Bridge St, then join the Lagoon Drive cycle way, a right hand turn and watch for other riders crossing the bridge on your left.

Follow the cycle way to just short of the Panmure train/bus interchange. This should be at the traffic lights for Queens Rd, Jellicoe, lagoon drive, Dunlop lane and Potaka Lane. Yep, a real dogs breakfast of an intersection.

Get your bearings and cross safely please, aiming towards the service station on the corner of Jellicoe Rd and Potaka lane. You should be aiming for Mt Wellington, so continue along Potaka Lane to Mountain road. Turn left.

Continue on Mountain Rd to the roundabout. At the second roundabout exit, cross at the pedestrian crossing (toward “Pet Care”) on your right. Running parallel to Te Horeta Rd is a small pedestrian/ bike path. Head down that to were it merges with Morrin Rd (just past Fraser Rd). 

This section, in contrast to the coast path is not at all scenic. 

Morrin Road is the busiest road you’ll encounter. There is a right hand turn coming up, so if you have the safe opportunity,, cross to the right hand side of the road and use the footpath. Turn right into Tainui Rd. Magically, Tainui Rd does a wiggle and becomes Hannigan Drive.

Cycle to the end of Hannigan, a bit more pleasant than Morrin Rd. At the end, between Number 39 and a Moda, there is a pedestrian walkway. Take it. It will take you to Merton Rd. Left and afew meters up Merton, across the road is the entrance to Te Ara ki Uta ki Tai (The path of the land and the sea).

It’s good news and not so good news - bike and pedestrian safe, wide and well paved. Not so Good, a steady and at times steep climb to St Johns Rd. Coast to the intersection where the bikes have right of way and cross to western side of the road at the lights. 

A few meters toward Kohimarama, the path resumes on the left. It is either an exhilarating downhill free wheel or scary if your brakes are faulty. There are many side paths, but if one sticks to the main trail, you start riding alongside the railway line, across the Orakei basin to Orakei station.

Follow the loop to Orakei Rd, past the new bridge construction to the Ngapipi Rd round about (left turn). Follow that road ( take care, pedestrians, bus stops and construction sites) to the Tamaki Drive intersection. Cross at the lights, turn right and head back to Akarana Yacht club and the Eatery for that deserved cuppa.