Beyond the path in the garden

Many a time we have done a ride out the Henderson Creek path to follow the Opanuku Cycleway through the park to wind up at a stop at Henderson Valley Road where we all turn around and ride back again. Ever wondered what lies beyond? Here is your chance to find out.

This ride starts at Waitakere town and comes back towards Henderson connecting towards the end to the Opanuku Stream path before heading off to lunch in Henderson at The Alderman. Surface consists of a fair amount of quiet back country roads, some gravel roads, city streets and cycleways through parks. The quiet back country roads are narrow with no footpath so require cyclists to be traffic aware and single file at times.

I would rate this ride at an Intermediate level due to road works involved. Suitable for all types of bikes, riding on country roads and some cycle paths. Pace is medium. Some rider experience and ability recommended. Some steep climbs on a few rural roads so good fitness levels required if using non ebikes.
The ride starts at the carpark in Township Road Waitakere before heading up McEntee road and turning down Crows road to the Birdwood Road corner. We head down Glen Road to the Urlich Esplanade Reserve and follow the share gravel path along the Waimoko stream to Swanson Road. We then cycle up the footpath to the traffic lights on Swanson Road corner with N Candia Road. Then cross and head up O’Neill’s Road, down Drower Road, up Coulter to the corner with Candia Road. We then travel down Candia Road and turn off down Sturges road to San Marino Drive then link up to the Oponuku cycleway into Henderson. While travelling down Sturges road look out to your left to see the historic former Mangaweka DC-3 roadside café situated on a private lifestyle property. We will stop for lunch at the Alderman Café in Falls Park where there is plenty of space for parking the bikes on the grass outdoor area. We will return after lunch on the Oponuku cycleway to Henderson Valley Road then up Candia Road to Vineyard Road then along Coulter Road up Drower Road down O’Neill’s to Mettam Drive. Then onto Swanson Road up Kay Road the down McEntee Road to the Township Road carpark.

Total distance is 37.41km with 546m ascent and is a mixture of hills and flat with care required re traffic. We pass through a variety of vistas including farmland, bush, streams and city views. Sometimes kookaburra and kereru can be seen perched on power lines along Swanson rural roads.
As Normal then:

• Please bring a spare tube for your particular bike wheel size.
• We travel at circa 20ks 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.
• Riders are encouraged to wear Hi Vis or visible colours at least

If you are signed up for the ride but change your mind at the last minute, please text or phone me on 02102877980 to advise. Same if you are running late.