CYCLEWAY PROJECT GETS A BOOST!
It was great to see the announcement last week that Hawkes Bay has been successful in securing one of 13 opportunities to conduct feasibility studies for cycleways as a part of the national network.
A bid for three iconic rides within the Bay was placed before the National Cycleway Working Group before Christmas. The bid, different to my initial concept of a Napier to Waipukurau link, allows a hub and spoke concept whereby cyclists would enjoy the wider tourist offering for three or four days based from the same lodgings. Frankly I think it was a better idea and congratulations must go to Graeme Hansen and Michael Bassett Foss for their work.
The three great rides:
The Coastal Trail: Along the Marine Parade out to Clifton Café then along the Maraetotara valley and back through the Tuki Tuki Valley (past Craggie Range and Te Mata Estate).
The Wine Trail: Along the Ngaruroro river bank to Roys Hill taking in the famous Ngatarawa Gravels Vineyards (Selini, Te Awa, Trinity Hill, Ngatarawa Wines etc) and sweeping back to Havelock North.
The Estuary Trail: A strong focus on local Maori Culture - along the Tutaekuri river bank to the Otatara Pa site, through Taradale to Poraite and then sweeping around the estuary to the Pa site at Bayview, returning along existing cycle infrastructure at Westshore.
An announcement was made last week providing funding to complete feasibility on the Coastal ride with a $2.4 million contribution if the study stacks up. This is great news for the Bay. I am confident that if we can complete one of the rides that the others will quickly become a reality.
Thanks must go to all involved especially the councils and the Rotary Pathway Trust who have been visionary in making this network come alive.
It was great to see the announcement last week that Hawkes Bay has been successful in securing one of 13 opportunities to conduct feasibility studies for cycleways as a part of the national network.
A bid for three iconic rides within the Bay was placed before the National Cycleway Working Group before Christmas. The bid, different to my initial concept of a Napier to Waipukurau link, allows a hub and spoke concept whereby cyclists would enjoy the wider tourist offering for three or four days based from the same lodgings. Frankly I think it was a better idea and congratulations must go to Graeme Hansen and Michael Bassett Foss for their work.
The three great rides:
The Coastal Trail: Along the Marine Parade out to Clifton Café then along the Maraetotara valley and back through the Tuki Tuki Valley (past Craggie Range and Te Mata Estate).
The Wine Trail: Along the Ngaruroro river bank to Roys Hill taking in the famous Ngatarawa Gravels Vineyards (Selini, Te Awa, Trinity Hill, Ngatarawa Wines etc) and sweeping back to Havelock North.
The Estuary Trail: A strong focus on local Maori Culture - along the Tutaekuri river bank to the Otatara Pa site, through Taradale to Poraite and then sweeping around the estuary to the Pa site at Bayview, returning along existing cycle infrastructure at Westshore.
An announcement was made last week providing funding to complete feasibility on the Coastal ride with a $2.4 million contribution if the study stacks up. This is great news for the Bay. I am confident that if we can complete one of the rides that the others will quickly become a reality.
Thanks must go to all involved especially the councils and the Rotary Pathway Trust who have been visionary in making this network come alive.
