Te Awa River Bike Ride (next Saturday 27th June)

[Kylee Rich]

Hi everyone,

If you're wondering what you might be up to this time next week, please read on...

I've only recently heard about the Te Awa Ride down the way past the Bombays. It's supposed to be pretty neat, so I'm keen to check it out with some of you :)

It goes from Ngaruawahia to Hamilton Botanic Gardens along the river and is a relatively new track (maybe existed in sections before but now connected it up?) When we get to the Hamilton Botanic Gardens, we'll stop, have lunch and smell the roses, before turning around and biking back to our meeting spot.

Planning as a full Saturday day trip with total expected biking time approx 4+ hours (+ lunch and interest stops along the way.)

Check out all the exciting info here:
https://www.te-awa.org.nz/itineraries/nga-gardens/

I have not actually done this bike ride before so will be an adventure for us all!

Fitness/Difficulty level
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Good bike fitness required for this 4+ hour bike ride. Not suitable for beginners who are not familiar and comfortable with the bike they will be using. I suspect based on advice there will be a lot of other users on the track so we'll need to be comfortable navigating past other bikers and walkers on the track. (If you're not sure about your suitability please contact me.)


What to bring
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* Bike in good functionally order with gears. If you don't ride your bike much, please get it serviced in advance. We'll be in a relatively remote spot so could be very tricky and disrupt our plans if there is a mechanical breakdown. I am not skilled in bike mechanics (so praying my bike doesn't break down either!) Suitable bikes include mountain bikes or commuter bikes with robust tyres to avoid punctures (skinny road bike tyres not suitable.)

* Helmet

* Day pack/pannier with:
* Packed lunch for lunch at the Hamilton Botanical Gardens

* Hydration fluids

* Rain jacket

* Sunglasses and suncream (here's hoping!)


Logistics
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Everyone will arrive at Ngarawahia at 9.45am.

Depending on where/if you live in Auckland it's a 1 to 1.5 hour drive.

If you are interested in carpooling and/or especially if you have a bike rack to carry multiple bikes, you can indicate this on the sign up sheet.


Sign up here!!!
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Please fill out the google doc sign up doc so we have your details for co-ordination and planning purposes (final details including meeting spot will be emailed out to the confirmed attendees) https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfX52eTwUpfCY19UZEc3dYapDgmf0XDCWdPOZw0E-iGVGn-jw/viewform?usp=pp_url


Bad weather
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If the weather is no good I will make a call at 7am on the Saturday morning if the ride is to be rain-checked and advise confirmed attendees.

Thanks,

Kylee