Coromandel Explore Prt 1 - A Rogeys Gavel Rash Adventure

Since the first day that I brought the wee 650 I have been dying to get out and explore the Coromandel and some of the great gravel roads it has to offer.  The benefit of this also is the great scenery you only get to see if you actually venture off and take some of theses roads.

I left Thursday morning, heading out around Kawakawa bay and Kiaua, and theses first photos are from this part of the ride.

Through Thames, and then at Tapu I turned off and took the gravel road through to Coroglen.  Pretty good condition gravel, and by the looks of it a reasonably well used road.  It was very scenic  as for parts of it the  the road meandered along side a river.  

Once at Coroglen I stopped at the pub there, and that was when a guy on a sports bike went tearing past, quickly followed by a man in a car with his lights flashing.....don't know if they caught him, but there aren't many places  you can run from in Coro.

On the road again, and a we bit further north I turned and took the 309rd which takes you back to Coromandel.  Great fun, although a bit slippery in places, due to a lack of gravel and a lot of mud. encountering a couple of campervans ensuered my wits were about me at all times.

I stopped and took a side down towards the river which is where I took these next few pictures.  It was all very quiet and serene.  Very nice though to sit for a while and watch the river roll past.

Once in Coro, I called into Geoff's house where I bludged a drink and Geoff and I bored Jenni (his long suffering wife) for an hour with motorbike stories and assorted lies.

Time was getting on so I headed off to Kennedy Bay where I had organised to stay with a friend over night.  Not before heading to the beach though, where I spent far to much time zooming up and down like a kid with a toy, seriously great fun.  Has to be careful though it was packed......

So that was day one, all in all I was happy.  I had finally done a few raods that were on my list.  Tomoroow I would complete the rest....and that is where things got interesting, including the "wing mirror incident" and me renaming one of coros little known bays "Skinny Dip Bay"....not to mention some stunning riding and scenery.

Here is a peak of tomorrow...

The Map from day 1

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South Head- A Rogeys Gravel Rash Adventure.

I still had a few days off until my return to the coal face and decided I would join the Northland Gravel Riders club  for a mid week ride.  The deal was to meet at the BP in Kuemu at 9.00am and as usual for this summer, the for cast was not to be favourable.

As if right in Que when I arrived so did the rain.  But this could not dampen the spirits of the few us who went.  Although weonly numbered it was a good wee number and we set of towards Shelly beach.  This is to be out first stop.  The journey there is mostly tar seal with a small bit of gravel thrown in for good measure just to wet our appetites.

The dirt roads took us down to South Head and lots of fun was had playing in the sand (no buckets or shovels though).  It was a shit load of fun  with some of the guys having a real hoot.  We explored around this area for quite a while.  I suppose for me it is exploring , but for the others who had been here before it was just fun.

I am loving my gravel rash experiences.  It is a real rewarding challenge, a great deal of fun, and just great to get of the beaten tracks and see more of what this country has to offer.

Thanks to Sues for supplying me with some pics....which I shamelessly stole of Face book!(with permission)

After the ride I headed to Cycle treads and changed the front tyre for a knobbly, to offer a bit more assistance when on gravel.  After that it was over to Suzette's place (aka gravel hopper) where her husband had kindly offered to help fit the Hand guards and raisers I had purchased from Touratech. Actually I am not sure offered is the right word...roped in is probably the better phase.

Here are a few pics of the end result....

I am still loving the GS, seems the perfect bike for me at the moment and is continuing to perform flawlessly.   It's only limits are those that are placed on it by the the riders ability.

South Island Day 8

I woke up early and flew out of bed, the weather had improved but was still a bit deary.  At least it wasn't anything like the previous day.  I left soon after and enjoyed a leisurely ride through the magical Lewis Pas road.  Another one of the great "passes".    It meant to that on this trip I had completed the three roads that I was determined to ride, Arthur's, Lindis and Lewis.

Lewis pass is different as in so far you never really reach a great altitude but ride through fantastic canopy covered roads during part of it. As always it is spectacular.....I have run out of adjectives by now!

Once I had got to Springs Junction it had fined up and the run through to Murchison was "spirited", apart for a brief stop at the Mariua falls, which I didn't know existed until I rode pass them.

I stopped in Murchison for a bit of food, and then headed off to Nelson.  Another great ride, buy this time I am thinking that I am not keen to stay in Nelson the night.  I was having far to much fun...perhaps I will go all the way through to Picton.  I wasn't due to catch the ferry till the next day, but there is no harm in rocking up when I get there and seeing if I can get on one.

Nelson to Picton was hoot, although it began to rain again and the time I got in to Picton it was heavy the it was blowing pretty hard as well.  I had planned  my run to perfection though and arrived just 20minutes before the ferry left.  Straight on and the only vehicle on the top deck!   Once settled a quick call to my mate in Fielding I had my accommodation all sorted for the night.

Wellington Heads.

Only bike on top deck, just before I teid her down for a rough crossing over Cook Streight.

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Off the ferry at 6.30pm I headed straight to Fielding in the pouring rain! All the way.  I finally got there after nine, a nice long 15 hour day in the bike.   But I was happy.  I had had a great week riding the best roads in the world, and even though it was coming to end I was still a very happy man.  The following day I meandered back to Auckland....and later that night my kids came for a holiday with me. Fantastic!

I had accomplished all I set out to do.  Rode the roads I wanted to do, the ones that were missed on my previous trip.  The weather was great for the majority of it.  Met some great people and saw the most stunning scenery the world has to offer.  

New Zealand may be at the bottom of the world for many, but if you ride a bike, this country must be one to put on the bucket list.  I can assure you, you will not, ever, be disappointed.

South Island Day 7

Day Seven, and the rain poured down, and I mean it was torrential.  I knew it was coming though so planned just a short 180km stint from Christchurch to Hamner Springs.   Famous for its hot pools.

The ride is an easy one, but made harder buy the constant rain.  I only stopped once, for a bathroom break and then it took me half an hour to get my bloody gloves back on.  Still I arrived just after lunch and thankfully my room was right next to the laundry and the lovely people at the motel were amazing helpful in helping me get my wet gear dry, as well as letting me put my bike in there garage.

In the afternoon I borrowed there umbrella and wonder around the small but very pretty small town.  Finishing of course at the hot pools where I spent an enormous amount of time just sitting and relaxing.     Honestly this whole motorbike touring thing is exhausting!

So not a big day on the bike, but I got to visit yet another place I have never been to and tomorrow will come the Lewis Pass road, I wasn't to know it then but it would be one of the longest days I have ever had on a bike.....

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South Island Day 6

Having spent the  night in Hokitika I was in decisive about where to go next.  I was keen to head to North to Karemea, which is up the west coast and where the world famous Heafy Track begins.  But a heavy rain warning the side of the country convinced me to change my mind.  Instead I headed through the stunning Arthur's pass for another over night er in Christchurch.

I was glad I chose this route.  The weather was average out of Hokitika but once through the centre of the Island it was dry roads and fantastic riding.  It had been a road I always wanted to ride, and had not been able to do on my previous trip.

Once again words fail me for what a great road this is to ride, and for the first hour I pretty much had it all to my self.  Even the first part where it was raining could not distract from what was a great road and a great ride.

There is something very serene about riding around just a magical landscape early in the morning, having the road to your self.  It is hard to describe.

I arrived in Christchurch and spent another evening lying in the heated bath out doors, what a away to spend the evening after two just awesome days on the bike.



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