Some great training rides around Lower Hutt

All my previous cycle training was done around the northern reaches of Sydney.  I was fortunate to belong to the very active 'Bike North' bicycle user group, whose rides enabled me to learn great places to ride and ride with a lovely bunch of people.  Fast forward to living in Lower Hutt, New Zealand.... after years of parenting taking priority over riding time, I had no idea where to ride for longer training rides.  Here are the results of some exploration, along with approximate distances.  For more detailed route information you can check me out on Strava.

1.  Round the bays - 75 km return
Cycling from Lower Hutt toward the city, around Oriental Bay, out to Scorching Bay, through the pass of Banda to Happy Valley Road, back into the city and out to the Hutt again.  A fairly flat route, great for a longer easy ride.  Very scenic.

2.  Moonshine Hill, various distances, starting at 30 km return
This was a celebrated find!  Cycle from Lower Hutt up  SH2, turning off at Haywards.  Cycle up to Moonshine Road turn off on right.  Long steady upward climb of around 6 km.  Then choose whether to descend to Riverstone Terraces and return via SH2 or descend, climb back up the steeper side back the way you came.  Sometimes I like to cycle up SH2 to Riverstone Terraces turn-off and do some hill repeats on the steeper side, which gives you a meaty 3km odd climb.  A beautiful scenic route.  The road is narrow, so not sure how it would be with weekend traffic.

3.  Blue Mountains, various distances with Te Marua route clocking in at 75 km return.
Head up to Silverstream, either via SH2 or Western Hutt road.  At Silverstream follow signs for Blue Mountains.  A lovely big climb takes you to Whitemans Valley road.  From there you can do a shorter route returning either via Wallaceville Hill or Mangaroa Hill, or the full route via Mangaroa to Te Marua, where you can head back to the Hutt via SH2.  I have also completed this one as a 107 km circuit.  On the first loop headed back to the Blue Mountains for a second climb after turning back at Te Marua, then made the second circuit smaller by turning back via Wallaceville hill.

4.  Akatawara, Waikanae, Haywards, 107 km loop
Head up SH2 to Akatawara turn off.  Enjoy a lovely rolling climb to the summit.  A glorious descent to Waikanae.  A fast ride along SH1 to the Paekakariki turn off, a great climb to a amazing view at the top.  A rolling descent to Pauatanui, then more climbing to return to the Hutt via the Haywards.  A great work out!

5.  Hill Repeats - a 2.5 km 7% climb to repeat to your hearts content
From Normandale Road turn off to end of Poto Rd gives you a great 2.5 km 7% climb to practice hill repeats on.  There is other lovely riding up there too, with Sweetacres drive and Belmont Hill Road to enjoy.  A great change from the valley floor and easy to access.