Grade
FlatDistance
38 kmCycling
1.5 hours
This cycle circuit is a favourite for Gisborne Cycling Club. The ride is mostly on quiet country roads, with easy terrain, through picturesque vineyards and orchards. These roads are all sealed.
The meeting place and start can be Bushmere Arms at the intersection of Bushmere Road and SH2 (Matawai Road), or the Lavenham Road/Lake Road intersection. From Bushmere Arms, the ride follows SH2 (Matawai Road) to where Lavenham Road joins SH2, then continues along Lavenham Road, through Pātūtahi, and eventually back to Bushmere Arms, crossing the Waipaoa River twice. The SH2 section can be busy with cars and trucks, although Sundays have lighter traffic with fewer trucks. Link to Gisborne Cycling Club facebook page
History of the trail
Three marae are in Waituhi along Lavenham Road - Takitimu, Te Rongopai and Pākōwhai, all belonging to the hapū Te Whānau a Kai of Te Aitanga ā Māhaki. The wharenui of Rongopai is a uniquely painted house created in honour of the prophet Te Kooti. At times, many vehicles enter and exit these marae.
Nearby, the Pātūtahi cemetery on Cemetery Road, Pātūtahi contains a lot of interesting early European settler history from this area.