Today we take the first step of completing the Kawatiri Trail of which as normal we have to do it both ways, so today’s ride is a fraction under 19km which means we ride double that distance.
Leaving early enough we start with a short windy section of native forest at Cape Foulwind whichen descends down to the northern end of Tauranga Bay. Just a lovely bay with short ride to the south end. A short ride through to Nine Mile Beach, an awesome sand beach with easy access and when the sea is right it looks great for surfers… of which we never seen on the waves lol
After getting about halfway down Nine Mole Beach to where the start of Okari Lagoon is the trail heads inland through farm and native forest
Tannin coloured Okari river from the suspension bridge.
With a gradual but steady climb up to 60m above sea level before descending down towards Charleston, the longest section through the native forest is a windy but beautiful ride which we thoroughly enjoyed, we hadn’t realised we had ridden just over 18km, deciding that we will turn and return to Cape Foulwind, this then leaves us with a 9km (18km return) to complete but from the Charleston end of the Kawatiri Trail. Tomorrow a walk to break from the riding before completing the Westport end of the Kawatiri Trail.