West is Best Ride. Te Atatu to Henderson return (twist & turn)

Hi everyone.
I've been waiting to try out the new Te Whau Pathway which opened last Friday. Its stage one of a five stage project, but it is still worth a look and ride. It is accessed from the Norwest Motorway Bike Path. This "board walk" path takes us over to and behind the Te Atatu South Boat Club. Then continues above the sea water to terminate at the bottom of Roberts Road, Te Atatu South. (when completed it will go around to New Lynn)

THE RIDE:
Starting at the top end of Te Atatu Peninsula (meet at 10am, CNR of Beach Road and Spinnaker Drive), we will head down the various walkways and #gravel trails that will lead us to the Norwest Motorway Bike Path. (#compacted gravel tracks which are easy to navigate)
We will then ride the new Te Whau Pathway extension to its end before returning to the motorway bike path.
We then head up the Norwest Motorway Bike Path for a short distance before turning left on to the Henderson Creek Bike Path. I am sure you will enjoy meandering along side of the Waikumete Stream into Henderson. From here we continue on through the Corbans Art Centre and follow the Opunaki Stream to where our trail ends at the intersection of Henderson Valley Road.

RETURN:
On the return leg, suggest a coffee stop at the Corbans Art Centre Café, which will make a nice interlude.
I'll ring the Corbans Art Centre Café to let them know we are coming.
After refreshments we head back the way we came, but deviate up Central Park Drive and behind Trusts Stadium before rejoining Central Park Drive. We will continue along this road past REPCO where a little further on there is the ally way path that takes us back on to the Norwest Motorway Path. From here it's back to Te Atatu Peninsula and the cars.

Total ride is approx 30k's, basically all on bike paths.
Average speed 18ks. We stop frequently to regroup and check that everyone is going ok.

This is a relatively easy ride. There are not too many hills, one or two steep paths, but only short.

Don't forget to check the weather (I will cancel ride on Monday night if it looks like the weather is going to be nasty). But bring rain jacket/sunscreen if need be, water, perhaps a snack if you think you will need it and gear to fix a puncture etc.

As per our other rides then:

*Please bring a spare tube for your particular bike wheel size.

• We travel at circa 18ks an hour except for down hills.
  *We will cancel for rain but not for showers.
• 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.
• Please check tyres, brakes and lube/clean chain a day prior to the ride.
  *If you are signed up for the ride but change your mind at the last minute, i.e. before you cancel your attendance on the meetup app, please text or phone me Graeme on mob 027 285 3779 to advise so we are not waiting/expecting you.