Here's what the local Nga Haerenga project, map courtesy of the Hawke's Bay i-Site looks like after 3 days of my "trail testing." Sections ringed in black marker are the bits the I-Site knows aren't open, as of Jan 26, 2012. I found several missing links which made this exercise more of challenge than it might appear.
Overall issues: the Water Ride (orange) needs signposts and bike path stencils ASAP. It's way too easy right now to miss a turn, and end up on some.busy roundabout on Hwy 2. Section near Prebensen Rd in particular. Headwinds on Westshore very strong. After Taradale, sweet ride on the limestone/clay stopbank along Tutaekuri River. Fertilizer plant in Awatoto keeps it real.
Landscapes Ride (green) the best. Wetlands near Clive great, end point of Clifton Cafe great. I skipped the Tukituki River stopbank, instead riding Tukituki Road all the way. Great hills and rollouts, and few cars. After Red Bridge hit new gravel too deep to ride in. Waimarama Rd was terrible alternative, fast traffic, no shoulder. Yuck. Ride back on stop bank to Black Bridge fast. Some vandalism near BB and the footpath over a boneshaker. Scenery on Landscapes the best. Te Mata peak with paragliders. Best of all, the motion activated bicycle warning device on bridge across Horseshoe wetland. I vote that NZ Transport install these babies every road in the country.
Wineries ride (yellow) will be much more enjoyable once it's made offroad. Hwy 50 is not fun, with intermittent shoulders and trucks. Horticultural spraying isn't something I want to deal with often. Oak Avenue is lovely with an allee of oaks planted 1874. Hastings CBD is cyclists' nightmare: cars parked in the bike lane (dooring, anyone?) and the small green bike stencils in the roundabouts on Karamu St, what on earth are they communicating: hit a cyclist here?! More thought needed here if this is supposed to aid "share the road." You need to go go the CBD if you want food, otherwise, keep out of there. Don't like the aggressive behaviour when i try to ride through a roundabout as if I'm a vehicle (I am, but motorists don't altogether get this right now. I guess it will take time.
Wineries along the yellow (and orange and green) routes are a delight
My verdict? Once the kinks are ironed out, these trails rock. And I didn't need to swap bikes to do them.
Well done, Hawke's Bay.
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