Four members of the E-bike Social Riders Hawkes Bay Group spent a day exploring the Kapiti Coastal Trail, just north of Wellington, on the west coast. Much of the trail is concrete which makes for a smooth cycling experience.

Trail                                       Kapiti Coastal Trail

Distance                              66 Kms (Includes optional loops).

Trail Grade                         1

Background

Robyn and I accepted an invitation form John Darnley and family to come down to Peka Peka and ride the Kapiti Coastal Trail. We rode this trail before the groups 3^rd Dec Palmerston North Ride.

Our Ride

Our ride started from Harrisons Country Gardenworld, 23 Peka Peka Rd.

There is a café for early morning coffee addicts.

At the time of writing the trail is under construction and will extend to Otaki and maybe Levin.

So from Peka Peka Rd the trail runs South and  parallel with State Highway 1 as far as Queen Elizabeth Park.  The trail surface is an undulating hard surface tar seal trail. This provides a smooth riding surface and is easy on the rider and the battery. Whilst the trail follows State Highway 1 the highway is hidden along most of the route. There are a number of short timber bridges which add interest.

Upon arriving at Queen Elizabeth Park the trail the trail enters the park via an electric auto opening gate or you can use the optional squeeze gate.  Well done Kapiti!

The trail continues through the park on what is one of the most scenic sections and you are fooled to believing that you are in the middle of the country. The trail surface is the same hard smooth tar seal. The undulations allow a build-up of speed however there is a light covering of gravel which keeps the rider in check. Just as well as this is a popular shared pathway. On a Monday the pathway was quiet but I can imagine that during the weekends or holidays that may not be the case.

This section of the trail ends at Paekakariki, and after a short street ride we are in the centre and ready for coffee.  We rested at the Perching Parrot and we gave it a thumbs up.

Distance travelled 23 Kms.

At this point the rider can U turn and return the same way but not us.

We headed towards the coast via suburban streets along a short section of coastal frontage towards the Queen Elizabeth Park beach entrance. We then retraced our ride to the Northern entrance of Queen Elizabeth Park. A right turn would have taken us back along the motorway trail and eventually to Peka Peka. We turned left and rode to Raumati South and then along Rosetta Rd to Paraparaumu Beach. Time for lunch.

We lunched at 180 Degrees Café/ Restaurant. Blue Cod and chips could it get any better. Ride distance 41 Kms.

From Paraparaumu Beach we rode along Manley St to the Waikanae River Trail.  I should point out that the roads were quiet and the trail was well sign posted no confused tourists here. Again Well done Kapiti.

The Waikanae River Trail is an optional loop which runs parallel to the river. Unlike most river trails I have ridden, the river is in view most of the time and the ride is flat. The trail surface is a mix of hard clay and gravel. The ride is picturesque and weaves through the trees. The trail is a loop and the return on the other side of the river is via a road bridge with a wide segregated pathway. There is also a steel suspension bridge mid-way along the trail so instead of a straight loop the trail can be ridden as a figure 8.

Ride Distance after the Waikanae River Trail 55 Kms. (I think)

From the Waikanae River Trail there is the option of returning to the State Highway 1 Trail or riding down some suburban streets.

We took the suburban street option to maintain the loop.

Our total ride distance was 66 Kms.

Learnings

• Kapiti have provided an interesting and safe riding experience alongside a busy motorway. The trail and the motorway work well together.
• Sections of the trail have street lighting so ideal for commuters.
• The trail surface was in excellent condition and the only glass we encountered was on a suburban street.
• Whilst the trail wasn’t busy everyone on the trail shared the pathway something we need to do better in Hawkes Bay.
• The trail was quite open and virtually unrestricted yet there was no evidence of motor cycle use.
• Excellent signage can be achieved.
• 66 kms and only 2 gates (?)

Closeout

This trail is a very enjoyable grade 1 trail and can be ridden by a wide cross-section of riders.

The smooth surface is kind on the battery and the rider.

By taking the suburban street options the rider is exposed to so many coffee stops in addition to the cafes and bars at Paraparaumu Beach

Whilst there are no toilets on the motorway sections there are plenty of toilets at Queen Elizabeth Park and the coastal suburbs.

Do again? Absolutely I would love to see 20 to 30 riders weaving through Queen Elizabeth Park.

Charlie Davey 4^th Dec 2019