Winter seasonal change and 7,000km+ Ride | Time Out 2021-22

Two rides to mark a seasonal change and milestone (kilometre stone?) of Time Out NZ 2021 - 2022.

Last autumn ride

Last day of Autumn, sun shining, time for a ride!

Hobsonville Point boardwalk.

Herald Island, nicer when the tide is in.

Lincoln Rd Cycleway Design Disaster

The SH16 North-western Cyclepath is great, but cheapskate decisions mean several road crossings along it are terrible. Among the worst is this four-crossing mess at Lincoln Road, when poor signal design allows uncontrolled backed up traffic to legally drive over the 'Green Crossing'. When the path crossing turns green there is no sign of it visible to the cars who've already passed the signals that controls this intersection.

Coming from the city face four (

) uncoordinated crossings, each with its own 'beg button' activation. To make matter worse traffic coming from the northern offramp (and Concourse) is uncontrolled after the lights (

) and at peak queues back up across crossing (

).

Even worse, this is the result of an intersection and bridge that were completely rebuilt a few years ago. Two short offramp underpasses and motorway level path under the Lincoln Rd bridge (where there's plenty of width) would have avoided it all.

The 16:00 Sun in Parrs Park had a wintery feel even, though it was still a lovely warm (19°C).

First Winter Ride and over 7,000km for Time Out NZ 2021 - 2022

My last Autumn ride totalled 6,967km ridden since Time Out NZ 2021 - 2022 started last September. A fine first day of winter was the opportunity to get past 7,000km!

Did my two harbour (Manukau and Waitemata) city loop, rain on the horizon?

Weather improved as I rode. This looking West from the Onehunga foreshore over Manukau Harbour towards the heads.

Stop Police!

Today I learned where the Police Helicopter Base is when this popped up over the trees. I knew there was a heliport on the Onehunga foreshore but didn't know they used it.

'Truman Show' suburbia

Culture (pou) on the Stonefields Path and dire modern design monoculture 'Truman Show' reminiscent suburbia in the former quarry behind. Does every new development in Auckland have to have the same boring muted colour palette (Cream, muddy brown, muddy grey, white with token brick or timber 'accents') and similar design?

Towards the city, second ride on the new Glen Innes - Orakei Basin Path.

Dinosaur, or Star Wars Walkers, on the horizon? More likely the container wharf cranes at the other end of Tamaki Drive on Waitemata Harbour.

SH16 North-Western Motorway in early afternoon 'going nowhere fast; traffic mode...

Parrs Park, nicer on the first day of winter than was yesterday on the last day of Autumn!

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