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| It's great when the wind is behind you |
Where can you ride on the flat at 20kmh without
pedalling? Meet penguins crossing the road? Have a dozen opportunities for
excellent coffee and take a dip in the sea - all within 40km?
It is same place where, rounding a bend, you can meet
a wind so strong it almost drives you backward. Where seemingly vertical urban
streets can leave you gasping. And where an earth tremor could upset your
balance at any time.
This is Wellington, "the coolest little capital
in the world" famed for it's strong blustery winds and its claim to be the
birthplace of the flat white coffee. It's said to have more cafés and coffee
roasters per head of population than any other city.
Wellington authorities are responding to the growing
interest in cycling with improved bike lanes and signposting. The short ride
from the airport to the city centre follows the harbour shore around beaches,
bays and headlands.
The final stretch along Oriental Parade is shared with
joggers, skaters and strollers. Half the population seems to be on the move. The
shared route rolls right around the CBD to the docks where at present there are
ups and downs and cracks to negotiate - results of the November earthquake.
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| Colourful beach homes around Island Bay |
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| Breakfast at the Beach House |
(see previous blog)
A couple of years back I wrote about the "flat
ride in flat white heaven". Revisiting the route recently, breakfast was
served by a former mountain biking champion, Myra Moller at the Beach House
Café. Formerly the Bach, it has had a complete makeover and now has a typically
Kiwi, adventurous brunch menu. The route from Lyall Bay around to Island
Bay follows the coast, ducking in and out of bays and rocky promontories. It's
not far but there's a high rate of stunning views per kilometer.
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| Take a dip at Breaker Bay |
The Flat White ride hasn't changed. It's just as
beautiful, just as challenging on a blustery day rounding each headland. One
coffee stop omitted last time is Scorch-o-rama in Scorching Bay. Great atmosphere
and brilliant setting on the edge of the beach.
Trackie?
Stuck for a place to ride on a summer Sunday
afternoon: try track racing at the Hataitai stadium. Friendly atmosphere on the
terraces, fierce competition on the banked outdoor track.
@wellington velodrome
Thanks, Burkes Cycles
Many thanks to Burkes Cycles in Kilbirnie for a pair
of trusty bikes. This is one of Wellington's oldest cycle specialists, where
you can expect sound advice and knowledgeable service.
The wind needle sculpture (right) indicates the strength of the ever present breeze. When it reaches 45º, give up hope of rounding the next headland
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