I've been reading blogs enviously about summer cycling back in NC, and current endurance adventures such as RAAM and the Tour Divide Race in the U.S. Recent pic of Jerry with his head inside a convenience store ice cooler was especially appealing. I was relieved recently to read in the local paper that our recent weather has been especially foul, even for Wellington. 12 out of 13 days with rain is unusual, even for 'Windy Welly'. So, there may be hope for cycling through the winter here. I've been showing up at 8am with the local club on Sunday morning for a 60-90 km ride most weekends, and riding 30-50 km once or twice a week myself, usually 'round the bays', in local parlance.
On a sunny day, this ride is spectacular, and I thought that a post with a few pics from this circuit might at least help me with my mood, and bring a few envious thoughts among the gang back home sweating on the NC summer roads.
The route is simple--go to the water downtown, and follow the shore around the bays, keeping the ocean to your left until you run out of road, then turn Right and go up a hill (Happy Valley Road) back into town. About 25 mile circuit, 20 miles following the shore. The final hill is gentle, and about 2.5 miles long. Options during the ride include climbing other hills to the top of peninsulas such as Mt Campbell and Mt Victoria, if higher heart rates and stunning vistas are desired.
Across the North Side of the airport. A quick glance out our home window in the morning gives an idea of the wind and thus weather for the day. If the planes are taking off and landing toward the South, the wind will be cold from Antarctica, and rain may be cold and horizontal. If the planes are departing the North runway, the wind will be milder, and warmer, and weather generally better.
Around Mirimar Peninsula. This is the home of WETA studios, famous for special effects for Lord of the Rings films, and most recently Oscar winning effects for Avatar.
Here's Eleanor with her friend Gollum at the WETA shop.
Seatown, Breaker Bay, Moa Point at the south end of the airport.
Look closely, and you can see snow-capped South Island mountains in the distance.
Lyall Bay, Houghton Bay, Island Bay, Owhiro Bay
There was a song in the 80's "You can't beat Wellington on a good day." This was picked up as an advertising slogan for the city council recently, and it's true for this ride. However, lately there have not been a lot of good days, and riding 'round the bays' in 40 degree rain and sleet is miserable/exhilarating. Keep rolling!
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