And then venture further afield on the Auckland isthmus, where there are plenty of cycle routes for all ages and skill levels.
My daily commute takes me on part of the Northwestern Cycle Route, which runs from Te Atatu to Upper Queen St, although road works closed sections of it temporarily this year.
From there I can choose city streets; the Grafton Gully walkway/cycleway and the protected bike lanes on Beach Rd; or the pink bridge and new Nelson St cycleway.
The Nelson St cycleway, Grafton Gully and the Beach Rd cycle lanes will eventually make a nice city circuit but for now should be considered a return trip unless you are happy biking on city roads.
Many recreational riders like the scenic Tamaki Drive waterfront shared cycle path, but to me it always looks a bit of a dodge among pedestrians and in-line skaters.
Onehunga, too, offers a waterfront gem (with a touch of industry).
If driving, park at the new Taumanu Reserve, the suburb's restored access to the Manukau Harbour, where there is grass, pretty shell-and-sand beaches, rock groynes, picnic tables, toilets and a winding shingle path smooth enough for the skinny tyres of a roadbike. Or you can pedal along the asphalt of Orpheus Drive.
Ride under the motorway bridge and you'll find a wide, concrete path that curves among pohutukawa along the shore of Mangere Inlet, past Waikaraka Cemetery, alongside a container terminal and to Hugo Johnston Drive, outside Mighty River Power's electricity generation plant. You've now ridden 7.2km.
There is a second isthmus option from here. If you can cope with the climb to Hillsborough Rd, take the path beside the Southwestern Motorway - apart from the awkward first section on streets - to Maioro St, a one-way pedal of 6km.
