Just a follow up to let you know how it went.
Set off around 10 (my wife was leaving by car at the same time and we were a bit hurried getting the kids together). About 5k out realise I don't have the numerous pages of cue sheets and comments I printed last night - but I do have a full map covering the whole area. Decide to take back roads to Olympic park and fly along with strong tailwinds - averaging around 35 kph.
Fumble around trying to find the path to Meadowbank - get lost a few times - then chat to a guy who's going that way so follow him. Take a wrong turn at Meadowbank but get onto Rydale St and the map says it'll get me to Blaxland Rd. Cruise along a k or so and run into a 'substantial' hill - looks like a 12 story block a flats rising in front of me. Just about to start the climb when I see a sign for the Eastwood/Densitone bike trail. Took about a nano-second to decide which way to go. Down to Victoria Rd, cross over and head to Eastwood. Miss the rail crossing and have to backtrack but eventually make my way up to Vimera St.
Get to the 'end' of Vimera St and look for the trail running through the park to get to Kissing Point Road. Check the map again, ride around for about 10 k looking for the right trail. Stumble onto a couple of guys going the other way and it turns out I wasn't at the 'end' of Vimera St. Didn't realise the road continued on and became the trail to KPR. Down the hill, all the time realising there had to be an UP on the other side. Got up there OK but struggled big time a little further along on KPR - there's a bit a few hundred metres before the Pacific Highway which broke me badly. Caught my breath and finished the rest easy - just in time for lunch
- albeit feeling ridiculously stupid for so many reasons.
Total distance was only 48k (should have been about 35 I reckon) and it took @ 2.5 hours - but I spent 24 minutes of that stopping and looking at maps.
At least next time I'll know the way and from now on, whenever I go an unknown route, I WILL remember to take the cue sheets - lesson learned.
cheers
/k