Time: 1.5 hours
Distance: 12.6 km
Start: Kaiapoi pā site, Preeces Road Waikuku
End: Same place (via a couple of loops)
Date: Friday 25th March 2022
We pfaffed around at Edel's pumping up the flatish tyres on our bikes (thank you Russell!) and then drove to the historic Kaiapoi pā site on Preeces Road just past the Pegasus Town roundabout.
Built around 1700 by Ngāi Tahi chief Tūrākautahi, the Kaiapoi pā became the major capital and trading center in the South Island/Te Waipounamu. According to the Ngāi Tahu website, the chief Tūrākautahi was the second son of Tūāhuriri, whose name is given to the local hapu: Ngāi Tūāhuriri.
The Kaiapoi pā was considered indestructible, built almost on an island and mostly surrounded by swamp and a river (since drained for farming). Kaiapoi means "swinging food" and refers to the way food was transported across the waters to the pā. But in 1831 the pā was destroyed after a three month seige led by Te Rauparaha from the Ngāti Toa iwi in the North Island/Te Ika a Māui. A brutal act of revenge. And standing in the field, the atmosphere felt palpable. We shivered in the wind as Kim shared her local knowledge.
Hands washed and back on the bikes, we headed to the corner of Preeces Road and up onto the Kaitiritiri Ridge Track which runs along the western boundary of Pegasus Town. We crossed the road at the main roundabout and continued on to the rugby field where we swung a sharp left. Zhanna was our guide and soon we were on the path heading northish around the edge of the wetland.
We popped out onto Tiritiri Moana Drive which leads directly to Pegasus Beach and we were soon on the dunes at the coast looking out to sea. Big surf today. A fabulously wild vista. I had my togs but, yeah nah.
We returned to the wetland and continued to the north and then circled back towards town. A small obligatory off-piste section saw us cycling with difficulty across (possibly) the front lawns of a row of expensive houses. No-one was home but I'm sure they wouldn't have minded.
Zhanna led us around the squelchy edge of the other side of the lagoon and then along a small side path which put us back on the main road and within cooee of the Flat White Cafe. We sat on the sofas and regained strength with the help of coffee and muffins.
We crossed Pegusus Lake at Bob's Bridge and skirted the lake edge to its most north eastern point. Then it was a short stint along Tiritiri Moana Drive and up a tiny side trail, through a gate and back onto Preeces Road. We packed up the bikes and headed for home.
