Flat Bush, Point View Summit, Half Moon Bay, Tamaki Estuary, Ti Rakau Cycle path

WHERE ARE WE GOING.
From Barry Curtis Park to “Point View Summit” to Half Moon Bay for lunch. Then Rotary Path, Ti Rakau cycle path, then quieter roads back to start.
HIGHLIGHTS RIDE.

• Views from “Point View Summit”.
• Lunch Half Moon Bay.
• Views across Tamaki Estuary as ride Rotary Trial.
• Use of new cycle trail along Ti Rakau Drive.

DIFFICUTY RIDE.
Ride is 36.5 km with total ascent of 278 metres.
Over 50% on either share trails or cycle lanes.
Roads ride on are side roads, except for few busier roads which cross at lights.
I would rate this ride at an Intermediate Level - Suitable for all types of bikes, riding on primarily designated cycle paths but may include crossing or riding on roads for short distances. Pace is slow. Some rider experience and ability recommended.
Few short gravel sections, the one more difficult section of couple hundred metres can be walked, see notes below.
THE RIDE.
Ride starts at car park by Barry Curtis Park Playground in Botany. Entrance to car park is off Stancombe Road opposite Erica Road. Parking is available at this car park.
Longest climb with steepest sections is climb to “Point View Summit” which is near start. "Point View Summit" is highest point on ride at 135 metres. Last couple hundred metres to Summit is steep and on “deep loose gravel” as opposed to the few hundred metres of “surface gravel” leading up to. Steepest parts of last couple of hundred metres to “Point View Summit” can be walked by those with acoustic bikes and or bikes with narrow road tyres. Well worth effort, one best viewpoints of Auckland from the East. On other side view is countryside to Hunua Ranges.
Then along Point View Drive to “Off Road Cycle Route” which starts between 262 and 266 Point View Drive. On to quieter roads and shared paths along Botany Creek Tributaries to Halfmoon bay for lunch.
LUNCH.
Ara-Tai Café Half Moon Bay.
AFTER LUNCH.
Take Prince Regent Drive then Palmyra Way to North end of Rotary shared path along Tamaki Estuary. Ride Rotary Shared path to the other end where goes underneath Pakuranga Road Bridge. Couple sections of Rotary Path are surface gravel. Take Latham Ave, Paul Place, Dale Cresent and Palm Ave to Ti Rakau Drive.
On to cycle way along Ti Rakau Drive. Quieter Streets and shared paths through Burswood, Huntington Park, East Tamaki and Flat Bush back to start.
NOTE
- Is weather dependent, if more than light rain likely, will cancel day before.
- Please bring a spare tube for your bike wheel size.
- We travel at circa 20ks an hour except for down hills.
- We stop often to bunch up.
- 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.
- Riders are encouraged to wear Hi Vis or visible colours.