e-CURSIONS
definition: a word I made up, a short journey or trip taken by EV.

The weekends seem to come and go like a blur. Throwing in a little e-cursion can help break the tedium. I’m going to be frank: the idea of an epic weekend e-cursion sounds great. But often my high expectations don’t meet with reality. I think often, we get side-tracked with making an epic trip happen, that may or may not lie on the horizon somewhere, when it’s really just about taking what you can in the moment. Who really cares about preconceived ideas? Be done with elaborate plans and delete an agenda. Just make it happen – that’s what really counts. On the flip side, you’ll be much better off for just escaping the daily grind for a moment.

The rough plan – we wanted to get outside of Auckland’s ever-increasing sprawl and explore some of the remote, rural – and quiet – gravel roads that lie north and south of the city. We’d need to use a vehicle, as this would help us get into these locations faster. Basically, we’d drive – search/ map out a route ride that looped, return home; drive – search out/map out a route, ride another loop, then (reluctantly) head home. It would be about making the most of the short autumnal days.

I think gravel riding is becoming much like mountain biking: you want a ‘hub’ or ‘trail centre’ where you can ride, do a loop, or explore from. Sure, you have different aspects of gravel, or all-terrain riding, like bikepacking, cycle touring and/or you just want to knock out serious distances. But, if like most people, you are time poor and what you do have seems to be quickly dissolving, it’s about making the best use of that time.

The electric transport – our vehicle for the roadie was a Volvo XC40 Recharge Pure Electric. The modern era of cars is really something. Not just with regards to electric vehicles, but the technology that’s now inside these cars. The fully electric all-wheel drive powertrain offers a good range – for both our e-cursions a single fast charge was all that was needed to get to and from both riding spots. Inside the car is Android Automotive, Google’s fully integrated infotainment platform. Basically, it lets you have the power of your phone inside the car. For these e-cursions, Google mapping functions and Google Assistant were heavily used. Having this on-the-go is great for being able to scope, zoom, and locate a riding spot on a dime. As we frequently used motorways to escape the city, the adaptive cruise control system and lane-keeping aids came in very handy. As I’m a fan of hip-hop, jungle and other bass heavy music, the Harman Kardon sound system ensured we were amped before the rides. All this is done with electricity and, with our rides being pedalled powered, we could enjoy the fact we’d have minimal environmental impact for the weekend’s e-cursions.

The northern ride – our first weekend e-cursion saw us in the car haulin’ down the motorway in haste to get out of the concrete jungle. As we edged further north, concrete was replaced by wide open green farmlands and dense bushy gullies. Laced in between them were the dirt roads we wanted to discover. The ever-lingering dark clouds above us rolled in and out, bringing with them heavy downpours. These feel fine from the comfort of a modern car, with heated seats, steering wheel, and good windscreen wipers, but it wouldn’t be long until we would experience the raw elements. The ride routes were somewhat scouted from our map search as we travelled north. I had ridden some of these roads previously, but the rest would be made up on-the-fly. The roads turned from well-made bitumen, to unmarked gravel lanes, signalling it was about time to get amongst it.

Kaipara Flats – is a rural community that sits north of Auckland. The land is one of the narrowest points on the North Island, between Kaipara Harbour in the east and Hauraki Gulf in the west. It encompasses a local area which includes the Kaipara Hills, and the villages of Tauroa, Ahuroa and Glorit. The main service centre for locals is Warkworth, which lies to the east. Traditionally a farming area, the community still produces some of New Zealand’s most iconic agriculture including dairy, wool, beef and lamb. The area has a heap of sealed and unsealed rural roads and the feeling of stepping back in time, despite being just an hour from the city of Auckland.

It’s an ideal location to sling gravel loops from, and it wasn’t long before our tyres crunched on the gravel beneath them. The quiet lanes rolled beside the endless fence posts. As we started to warm into the ride, the rain clouds rolled in. Now we would really experience the bloody elements! Heavy downpours ensued – grit, mud, and everything in between. In a weird way it was enjoyable – like being a kid playing in puddles. The rain came and went, in between hills, undulating gravel roads, and yarns. The world’s noise stopped for a moment as all our focus went into the ride. The loop was taxing but restorative.

I think there is real beauty in exploring regions you wouldn’t normally go to, and the bike really helps with taking you to them. A towel down, heated seats, hot chocolate and some sweet treats made us feel human again as we headed home.

The southern ride – our second e-cursion for the weekend would take us south on SH1, to the edges of northern Waikato. The iconic Huntly Power Station was our turn off and it would be here that we would leave the fast-paced world behind. The roads snaked their way towards the western coastline, and we passed small settlements, a rural pub, and lots of farm paddocks. A quick check of the map made it clear we had nearly reached our destination.

Te Ākau – a small farming settlement that sits south of Auckland. Located south of Port Waikato and north, by ferry or road, of Raglan. It has a hall and a school. Again, this area has a heap of scenic sealed and unsealed rural roads. Its vast, remote, very quiet, and it’s only just under two hours from the centre of Auckland.

This time, the loop would take us close to the edges of the Whaingaroa Harbour and Tawatahi River. It would encompass the wild and untouched west coast. It was about riding as much gravel as possible and it wasn’t long – in fact around one kilometre – before we had reached the holy shingle. Immediately, the sense of space is amplified when riding – you’re so small in respect to the environment around you. I mean, we are so insignificant really. The overcast day kept the temperature cold but comfortable and also meant we would be staying dry this time around.

I exerted myself over a few climbs and quickly found my form lacking. A bit of positive self-talk was followed by a few sporadic attacks to really deplete my energy stores. I spotted a glimpse of the rugged coastline. Expansive, rolling and green with a few Nikau palms and larger trees that could barely stand from the relentless howling winds. Dusk came upon us quickly, our weary bodies grimacing as we made our way over the hills that lay between us and the car. By the time I racked the bikes on the car, darkness had crept in and fatigue was at a high. Chips, tunes and lane assist guided us home.