Boys doing what boys do. Onehunga Wharf in the distance.
“Great Ride” might be a misnomer as the scenery is nothing special but after decades driving out to the airport and looking down at the old Mangere Bridge from its younger cousin it was a part of Auckland I was keen to explore. If you’re riding with children or avoid hills at all cost this is a pleasant amble along the coastline and back with some farm animals in the middle to keep it interesting for the city-slickers. I prefer a bit more up and down in my riding but I do recommend it, we all had a ball.
Approaching the bridges from the Hillsborough end we passed the Cruising Club that sits alone at the edge of the motorway dipping its toes in the harbour. From this direction it looked like access was via Onehunga Wharf and when I spotted a large sign indicating where cars and pedestrians should go I thought we were on the right track. Wrong! The boys and I were soon scything through container-straddles, giant forklifts and semi-trailers like a scene from an apocalyptic Arnie movie. We quickly back-tracked to safety and continued on past the pub to a pedestrian ramp that curves up toward the giant cement silos.
Shortly after we were riding along the old bridge watching the many fisherman lined-up to catch the turning tide and what was swimming in it. I’m amazed this bridge isn’t totally submerged by the spring tides as it almost kisses the top of the waves on a calm day. From here we followed our noses along the coastal footpath with nice views across the Manukau to Hillsborough. Parts of this coast are sign-posted as bird sanctuaries and we passed thousands of gulls and oyster-catchers socializing on the grass.
The ten year old mind is a strange and wonderful thing.
Passing through a park gate as the route turns inland there’s a short stretch of gravel road leading to the entrance of Ambury Farm proper. Here an information centre and toilets can be found but we rode on past various paddocks and corrals until the gate to the Watercare Coastal Walkway was reached. The entire ride is dead flat but this section of gravel is a bit lumpy and could be a chore on a narrow tyred road-bike. We then veered left and continued past turn-offs to various bird-viewing spots until we got to the lagoon. “Lagoon” might be an apt description at high-tide but we were greeted with a circular mudflat. But, and this is an important but when riding with boys, it was a mudflat with an island in the middle! Calculations were immediately made as to the number of pirates and escaped convicts it harboured and plans for how you could get out to it, and all going well get back again were quickly formulated.
Clydesdales.
The beginning of the coastal walkways at the Southern end of Ambury Farm.
After riding over the lagoon spillway we turned left at the “Bio-Waste Research Centre” situated at the Northern end of the waste-water plant. Not a lot of hand-shaking going on at their conventions I’d wager. The path around this small lagoon was in much better shape than the main-road and we skirted its perimeter in the sunshine, stopping for a bite to eat before heading back to the farm the way we had come.
Smooth riding on the track that encircles the lagoon.
The icy southerly blowing down the harbour had disappeared by this stage so instead of cutting corners and riding on the road we retraced our route back along the coastal footpath. My boys were starting to tire at this stage as I’d had them out mountainbiking for three hours the previous day. Even so I thought they’d get a kick out of riding back under the motorway bridge and this was a good call as it was the highlight of the trip for both of them. Sea birds, livestock, rabbits, horses and poo-factories, blah, blah, blah… give me a concrete tunnel covered in graffiti any day. The walkway is suspended under the bridge (now there’s a novel concept) and it exits on the opposite side of Onehunga Harbour Road from the wharf, right beside the pub.
Bridge hucking.
It was a nice way to spend a winter’s afternoon and two hours removed from the Playstation is time well spent.
More Great Rides: Dum-Dum & Son’s Wild West Adventure
Nice story, sounds like a lovely afternoon. You've sold me on checking it out.
Glad you could make it over to my neck of the woods. What do you mean "the scenery is nothing special"? I ride there everyday and I can't get enough of it. The Manukau Harbour has its own charm.
@Ben: Thanks, you'll enjoy it.
@Mark: The harbour views are nice but I prefer a bit of elevation so you can see further.
Is it possible to ride out to and explore Puketutu Island? When we got to the far side of the Lagoon the gate was locked and we didn't have time to ride around the roads to see if access was possible.
- Antoine
I went out there yesterday, but opted not to go too far down the metaled roads on my road tyres. It was a long enough trip there all by itself anyway (came from Avondale). Really nice way to spend a couple of hours in the afternoon. I had no idea that whole area was so pleasant, and will explore it again.
The grind back up the hill to Hillsborough is pretty hardcore though. I'm not too proud to get off and push
@ Ben – I always get off and push if I feel the need to do so. I'm so not going to kill myself trying to bike uphill – if it's bastard of a hill, it's a bastard of a hill and no amount of puffing will diminish that fact.
We have done similar rides along the coast. Once we went out onto the roads after the lagoon and then followed another path (more of a walking path but shows as a bike path on the cycle map) along the harbour, and another time took in more of the industrial roads around there which are very quiet in the weekend, add in some more gentle hills, and take you past the back of Villa Maria Winery should fortification be required
Rode from Onehunga over the new Mangere bridge's incredibly clean walk/cycleway and awesome urban art out to Ambury Park via the coast. Carried on to the lagoon where we encountered liquid sunshine and a well made track. The surface on the main track is not the best, especially for small road tyres but this regional park will be magnificent when the trees mature and signage is renewed/improved. An hour 20min ride from the The Landings Pub by Onehunga Wharf return where good parking can be found.
Came from Papatoetoe, out to the Airport, followed CAA's map from the Airport to the walkway, and then followed this route over the bridge and then back down Great South Rd to Pap. Super fun ride till Great South Rd.
Ambury Park was a blast. Seeing the rabbits run past was crazy. Felt like a safari, but with no dangerous animals, haha.
@Janice: They need to put down some finer gravel, it's true. Not so suited to roadies and small children at the moment although not a problem with my 4 inch wide tyres ;^)
@Kepa: Glad you enjoyed it, we saw a rabbit too.
I didn't know about the walkway under the bridge! Heck, that looks like a spot my bike and camera would love!
Was the Clydesdale reference for the horse or your bike with those awesome tyres?
@Frank: It was plural (Clydesdales)
Did you see my little movie of the bridge walkway?
http://bikefriendlynorthshore.wordpress.com/2010/07/25/bike-friendly-north-shore-aka-bike-friendly-south-auckland/
Great vid.
I just put it up on my own blog. I may head out early today to go for a ride there. I'll clock it up as training for the Poverty Cycle