Clutha Gold Waihola to Lawrence Bike Ride
Sunday 25 February 2024
The Plan
To cycle on the Clutha Gold Trail between Waihola and Lawrence
The Logistics
Twelve people, three cars,two trailers with 4 people in each car.
Five bikes on each trailer and two on a bike rack on a car all pre-loaded the night before departure at 7.00am
The Mission
All 3 cars met at Waihola at start of the trail. Drivers swapped cars and 2 with 5 people drove to Lawrence. The remaining 7 started biking from Waihola while leaving a car and trailer there.
The Highlights Waihola to Lawrence Group
Biking on boardwalks across the water of Lake Waihola.
Crossing some amazing bridges (Real works of art)
Plenty of free apples beside the trail before Milton (Given the thumbs-up by Jenny)
Lunch under the trees in the Stuart Reserve
Two tunnels (One under the main road)
Lovely avenues of trees
More boardwalks and concrete pathways
Finally some downhill for Colin, the only non-battery bike
Meeting our other group for a catch-up in the Manuka Gorge (swapping keys as well)
Biking on a back road past the Waitahuna cemetery
Coffee and hot pies at the Coffee Cart in Waitahuna
Great downhill ride into Lawrence
Well maintained track with good surface
The Negatives
A headwind from Waihola to Milton
Lots of rabbits South of Waihola
Two losing battery power just short of Lawrence
The Conclusion
Both groups arrived at their destinations at around 3.30pm
No punctures
No major issues with the bikes
No accidents
With a timely meeting at Palmerston on the way home, a great day was enjoyed with the company of Jenny, Lynn, Karyl, Noel, Colin and Maurice (Waihola to Lawrence Group)
and Bev, Vicki, Robbie, John and Ross (Lawrence to Waihola Group)
Phyllis
