Cycleway: On track for summer

Beck Vass had the sun at her back but motorists on her mind on the Hauraki Plains yesterday. Photo / Glenn Jeffrey

It started out as a relaxing bike ride in a pretty country setting. But don't let the photograph fool you - it soon got stressful.

The 10km stretch of road running from just north of Miranda to Waitakaruru, on the Hauraki Plains, was a perfect spot for an evening ride.

The route - or something close to it - will one day form the western-most section of the Hauraki Plains cycleway, one of seven to be built this summer after Prime Minister John Key yesterday announced the $9 million first stage of the $50 million national network of tracks.

And last night the route was looking a treat.

To my right, the sun was just above the rolling green hills of the Hunua Ranges, while on my left could be seen the famous bird-nesting estuary waters of the Firth of Thames, and the far-off Coromandel Ranges.

Unfortunately, the mostlystraight rural road I was negotiating was quite narrow - just two lanes wide - and it felt much narrower when cars passed by.

The surprisingly busy stretch started off quiet but didn't stay that way for long. Several cars that came flying up from behind me seemed to be doing well over the 100km/h speed limit.

Cars overtaking me veered to their right, needing both lanes to get by. I was grateful not to find out what would have happened if an oncoming car had arrived at the same time.

I would have pulled over further to my left but the edges of the road were cracked and bumpy and rubble was scattered along where the roadside sloped down into the grass.

The wind also made it rather difficult to hear anything. I did hear the odd bird chirping but then a speeding motorist would suddenly roar up behind me, shattering the relative peace. As a result, I spent a lot of the time turning my head sideways to listen out, hoping I would not hear a vehicle approaching.

Each time I did, my mind would wander to the driver's situation. What if they are texting and haven't seen me? What if they are drowsy? What if another car comes?

Though it had been several years since I was last on a bike, the most worrying thing was never really knowing if a driver had seen me.

The dirty orange stationwagon that flew past me, seemingly at about 120km/h, was the final straw.

If I end up back there, I'll be on four wheels.