Shortest day for longest ride

It was the shortest day and the longest ride for about 50 cyclists who tackled the 172 kilometres of the Great Taste Trail loop last week.

At 7am they were on the Māpua Ferry to cross the water to Rabbit Island before heading over Spooners to Tapawera, then the Baton Saddle to Riwaka, back into Māpua for a well-deserved beer.

It is the third year that My Ride Richmond has prompted the casual ride for keen cyclists, with many taking the day off work to use pedal-power to ride the loop.

Among the cyclists on the wharf at the end of the day was Craig Richards, who says there was still time for a few pies and coffees along the ride.

“You look back at it and think it’s amazing. At the time it feels like it’s killing you – you notice the last 20kms.”

The day was short, the ride was long, and the consensus was it was a good day out.