Cycling around Motueka: Relaxation, Romance and Wine
January 2012
[by Ian Miller]
This is my idea of a perfect short summer evening ride. It can start anywhere in Motueka because I always think that, if you've the time, it's enjoyable to do a random circuit before you get to the official beginning of your route when the journey is very short as this one is.
After all this is a ride intended for beautiful summer evening and some leisurely exercise. You might even want to stuff a rug and a bottle of wine in a small backpack because the destination I'm leading you to cries out to be viewed sprawled on a rug supping Sav Blanc as darkness descends.
I suggest, for a warm up, a gentle cruise along the estuary and then maybe back track through the Trewavas Street estuary front reserve right along to Harbour Road, past the golf course and then west, cutting through the New World car park to McDonalds and into Whakarewa Street. Why go in a straight line when you're not in a hurry?
Now if your partner is not a cyclist and you've had to cajole him or her onto the bike, you might like to show a little mercy and head directly to Whakarewa Street and cut out the frills. Head west into the sunset and towards the hills; just keep going until you get to turn right into Douglas Road.
Along Douglas Road there are hops growing on your right and then a small vineyard. The owners of the hop processing plant obviously like a tipple and I wonder if the apples on the other side of the road might possibly be used for cider? That would complete the trifecta. Someone has also taken the trouble to plant roses along the road side but you would have to be there at just the right time to catch them in all their splendor.
The whole road side and hop factory entrance look neat and someone is obviously proud of the place. It's a great effort and something I'd like to see more of, not necessarily roses but any plantings that make a place look special would do just fine.
The road turns left and on the left, surprise surprise, there is the Tasman Bay Roses nursery. Follow the road around to the right and then head along what looks like a gravel driveway just ahead and to the right. Continue on a short distance until you get to a locked gate across the road. That's the end of the cycling.
This journey is not very long and can easily be done in an evening if have an early evening meal - or a late one. But wait, there's more. The best is yet to come.
On your left there is a stile, so lean the bike against the fence and clamber over the stile. From the top of the stopbank look west and just ahead to the left your will see a trampled track through long grass leading to another stile.
It's over the second stile where you will find an explanatory notice which leads on to short easy walk around the pond called 'Walls Wetland". This is something I have only just discovered and it's one of those unexciting but charming little places that make life here really nice.
The Walls family, who live nearby, developed a disused shingle quarry by shaping it and making extensive native plantings around the perimeter. They mow the walking track that circumnavigates the pond and it all must have cost them, and still costs I've no doubt, quite a lot. It is a very attractive, rather special place.
There are a couple of clearings around the pond where one can sit and watch the birds settle and the sun go down. Hence the rug and wine.
On the way home, turn right when you reach Whakarewa Street again and head to the road end. Climb over the third style of the evening and have a look at the white marble boulders that have been placed along the banks of the Motueka River. This is our protection against the next massive flood which will surely happen sometime. Makes you nervous, doesn't it!
From there it will be time to head for home, hopefully feeling a little more tired and a lot more relaxed than when you left. (Here is a map of today's route.)
My next ride is considerably longer so you might want to take your bikes by car to the start. Take some pocket money too because there are two cafes along the route.
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Above: The setting sun and some serious clouds give an air of drama to Walls Wetland
Right: Dark clouds on a summer evening threaten stormy weather on the banks of the Motueka River
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MORE CYCLING TRIPS: This is the third of a series of articles written by Ian Miller about various suggested cycle routes in and around Motueka for recreational cyclists. Read his other articles here »
