Pak Pak Plus
There was once a saying which said “Go west young man” which could be turned round to say “As you get older go east?” There is a lot of flat concrete out east however this ride covers two of the more popular rides out east being the Pakuranga Rotary Path and Cascades. It is there and back with a stop at Meadowlands Coffee Club towards the end.
Start point is Kerswill Place in Pakuranga which is the first left after the old Tamaki river bridge going from Panmure Centre to Pakuranga. If you are coming on the South Eastern Motorway when you get to Pakuranga turn left and then left again pointing back to Panmure and it is the last road on the right before the bridge. Kerswill place is a quiet dead end with parking and access at the end onto the Rotary path.
If you have not done the Pakuranga Rotary path before then it is an Auckland classic which is well worth the effort. It runs from the bridge all along the Tamaki River past St Kents, numerous yacht moorings and ends in a park a couple of k’s short of the Half Moon Bay Marina. There are a few issues with it being that it is narrow, quite twisty, populated by numerous prams, dogs, runners etc, is short and ends in a not too bike friendly transit to the Marina. On the other hand it has quite stunning views of the river which can be more than distracting. I understand a few bikes have gone tidal. Best thing to do is just take it slow, have a good look round and enjoy.
This particular ride does not however go to the marina but cuts off at Prince Regent Drive and takes to the road cutting across to Fortunes Road down to the Pakuranga Highway at Lloyd Elsmore park. 500 metres down there and we are onto the Cascades path. It starts off as a bit thin and rough, even goes over 100 metres of dirt track before getting onto the back of the houses going up the Tamaki river. Once into the houses it is a perfect antidote to the Rotary path as it is a wide, good concrete path which swoops and loops and goes for a long way with not a lot of people. There might be some good views on this path but to be honest once you start flowing on this one you are a bit too busy too notice.
Best fun path on concrete I have ever found. At the end of the Western branch you get to a park and playground and simply turn round and come back. There are lots of side paths on this one up into the streets but if you follow the side of the river it is fairly straightforward.
Once we get back to the Halfway Bridge on Cascades we will explore the Eastern Leg as far as Meadowlands shopping centre which has a coffee club for those who want a “normal” lunch. For the more unconventional among us there is a Countdown and a Malaysian Dried Jerky shop. Warm Sweet Beef Jerky between a piece of bread is a real local treat. The Eastern leg has a couple of tunnels and a creek crossing which is a great place to wash bike wheels being shallow enough to walk over.
After lunch we track back along Cascades and the Rotary Path to the cars.
The track is generally flat. There are a few lumps and bumps to conquer but none of these are too serious or onerous. I have ridden these on both electric and pedal only bikes and would recommend either. Total distance is 35-40k unless you get sidetracked. This whole track is off the road (95% concrete path) except for a couple of quiet road k’s in the middle.
So if you have not done the Rotary Path or Cascades before come and have a look see. As normal then:
- Please bring a spare tube for your particular bike wheel size.
- We travel at circa 15ks an hour except for down hills.
- We have a tail end Charlie to make sure riders do not get lost. We are not too fond of leaving people behind.
- Assistance will be rendered for any mechanical issues but we are not bike mechanics.
- If you are signed up for the ride but change your mind at the last minute please text or phone me on 021 348 979 to advise. Same if you are running late.
