Two days ago, our director, Louise Tu’u, took advantage of the fine weather and rode from Baldwin Ave in Mt Albert to Te Atatū Peninsula to meet friends. Starting from Ōtāhuhu, she rode to the train station, caught two trains, the first going from Ōtāhuhu to Newmarket and the second from Newmarket to Baldwin Ave.
This route was completely new for Louise until she reached the North Western cycleway, which she last rode 10 years ago! This cycleway has been upgraded with a rainbow painted bridge, as you pass the depressing site of Unitec’s decaying Building 1, little pit stops where you can safely take a break and enjoy the view and is largely flat with beautiful views of the Whau estuary.
Louise would have had more photos but just wanted to ride and not look like a tourist. The path is immaculate and similar to the path from Ōtāhuhu to Highbrook re: mangroves but with better and beautiful barriers. We wondered whether the same architects could come out south and work their magic.
Once we reached Te Atatū, we turned left and navigated very clear signage to the peninsula and visited our friends. The trip back was slightly more sluggish, as Louise’s bottom was sore, knees aching but pride ensured she rode the whole path up to Segar Ave in Mt Albert.
Then it was a short walk to Baldwin Ave train station, where she gladly parked her bike and went back home to Ōtāhuhu, using the bike seats.
Top tip: Did you know there are three black straps behind the bike seats you can use to strap your bike in? A lovely Auckland Transport officer saw Louise struggling and showed her these miraculous straps. Then you can sit down and not worry your bike will topple on to the ground in motion.
#pushbike #Aukilani #brownwomenwhobikeride
We Should Practice 