The Otaki Ride
Otaki is a small town just a few kilometres north of Te Horo, looking at the map, and within a reasonable biking distance I would estimate. Uncle has a bicycle I can borrow, so all systems go for this little excursion into rural New Zealand on another cool but sunny autumnal day.
Over the railway line and right onto State Highway 1 heading north leaving the handful of properties that make up Te Horo behind. Meadows and paddocks mostly, some fields with crops being grown, corn I think it is. About 30 minutes of steady pedalling to reach the outskirts of Otaki town, but I really want to head for the beach, about another 5KM away according to the signs.
A big empty beach with plenty of driftwood adding to the scenery. Kapiti Island stands prominently, almost close to enough to swim there - an optical illusion though since I know it's about 7KM away. A nice scenic bike ride along the firm black sands of Otaki Beach, until a river cuts through making any onward travel a rather wet affair. An hour on the beach, in the sunshine with a few seagulls for company. The odd local dog walker passes by, but really it's a place of total solitude.
Back towards the State Highway and through the main part of Otaki with a quick stop at a large complex that caught my attention on the ride down. Titles are in Maori, and the gate keeper says its a Maori college - exclusively for Maoris. Some fine architecture to photograph in the afternoon sun before moving on into the town centre, could do with a coffee. A large cafe here serving quite a comprehensive menu, and actually the prices look pretty reasonable - only $3.20 NZD for a flat white, that's good considering they're $4+ anywhere else. Sitting outside for the next 20 minutes watching Kiwis come and go, mostly Maoris around here it seems.
Better get back, don't want to be late for dinner. It's a long ride along State Highway 1 back to Te Horo, well, feels like it since the seat on this bike is somewhat uncomfortable. Otaki, a very pleasant and relaxed town to sit with a coffee and whatch the locals do their business. Although deceptively close, according to the map, it's just as well to check the scale and ensure riders fitness first! Oh, and it is a Maori town according to Auntie.
Otaki is a small town just a few kilometres north of Te Horo, looking at the map, and within a reasonable biking distance I would estimate. Uncle has a bicycle I can borrow, so all systems go for this little excursion into rural New Zealand on another cool but sunny autumnal day.
Over the railway line and right onto State Highway 1 heading north leaving the handful of properties that make up Te Horo behind. Meadows and paddocks mostly, some fields with crops being grown, corn I think it is. About 30 minutes of steady pedalling to reach the outskirts of Otaki town, but I really want to head for the beach, about another 5KM away according to the signs.
A big empty beach with plenty of driftwood adding to the scenery. Kapiti Island stands prominently, almost close to enough to swim there - an optical illusion though since I know it's about 7KM away. A nice scenic bike ride along the firm black sands of Otaki Beach, until a river cuts through making any onward travel a rather wet affair. An hour on the beach, in the sunshine with a few seagulls for company. The odd local dog walker passes by, but really it's a place of total solitude.
Back towards the State Highway and through the main part of Otaki with a quick stop at a large complex that caught my attention on the ride down. Titles are in Maori, and the gate keeper says its a Maori college - exclusively for Maoris. Some fine architecture to photograph in the afternoon sun before moving on into the town centre, could do with a coffee. A large cafe here serving quite a comprehensive menu, and actually the prices look pretty reasonable - only $3.20 NZD for a flat white, that's good considering they're $4+ anywhere else. Sitting outside for the next 20 minutes watching Kiwis come and go, mostly Maoris around here it seems.
Better get back, don't want to be late for dinner. It's a long ride along State Highway 1 back to Te Horo, well, feels like it since the seat on this bike is somewhat uncomfortable. Otaki, a very pleasant and relaxed town to sit with a coffee and whatch the locals do their business. Although deceptively close, according to the map, it's just as well to check the scale and ensure riders fitness first! Oh, and it is a Maori town according to Auntie.
No comments:
Post a Comment