Motueka to Tasman Great Taste Trail

Sunday 4 September 2022

Remember the days you have where everything go right? well this was one of these.

The group left Talleys carpark around 10am in cloudy weather and headed along the last part of the Inlet Walkway. Then it was across the main road to High Street and then Wildman Road which would take us to the Lower Moutere main road. It was all flat and the team kept together.

Half-an-hour into the ride we came to the Riverside Café where we went around behind it, onto farm roads and it started to get steep. The clouds disappeared and the views opened up. There were people out walking and other cyclists were about as we passed some houses with unusual designs. There was more uphill and despite the recent rain the track was in pretty good condition. The team came to a lookout with an information board and a toilet after about 50 minutes from the start. Morning tea was had here with great views of Tasman Bay and the Arthur Range.

It was then downhill until we came onto a proper road with some of the group hooning along at a good speed. We noticed several lifestyle blocks and in a year’s time this will be doubled. Then it was through an underpass and straight along to the Tasman Store. But it was not open. Shall we go to Kina Beach? Nah, a 10-minute stop and the riders just carried on at steady pace.

We arrived back at the Riverside Café for a late lunch. Despite being Father’s Day and being a busy place we managed to get a nice table to partake in coffees, pizza slices, savories and muffins. We were not in a hurry to leave but did so eventually and it was only another 30 minutes to the finish, arriving a little before 2.30pm.

These Great Taste Trail sections are brilliant, with enough hills to keep one honest, and we were lucky to have Julian with us, to share the history of the area. Watch this space for the next instalment.

Those out on the day were: David W (leader and scribe), Julian, Tony, Odette, and visitor Peter.