Coromandel road conditions

[Blackbird]

If anyone was thinking of doing the Coromandel Loop over the next week, I'd really think again. Rode from Coromandel to Whitianga this morning and there are slips everywhere, many of them 3/4 the way across the road. Quite a few of them are on bends with no warning signs out either. At the time of writing, the Thames coast road is completely blocked. I've never seen conditions so bad.

I guess most of the slips will be cleared in the next couple of days but the amount of clay and other debris on the road is another matter - that will be there for a lot longer. Apart from the safety aspect, it's going to take all day to get the baked-on clay off the Striple!

Cheers,

Geoff

[FJRider]

Considering the weather the past few days over the north and eastern parts of the north island ... did you expect any different ... ???

But the good news is ... the weathers been pretty good down here ... :yes:

[Blackbird]

Considering the weather the past few days over the north and eastern parts of the north island ... did you expect any different ... ???

But the good news is ... the weathers been pretty good down here ... :yes:

The extent of the slips is surprising. We get our fair share of heavy rain and slips every year but this is extraordinary.

Glad you're enjoying it down south, wish I was back down there. Haven't ridden there since '07 and Jantar puts on a mean BBQ in Alex!

[Gremlin]

I think what Blackbird is trying to say is... don't come visiting, bugger off, its mine.

:yes:

[Blackbird]

I think what Blackbird is trying to say is... don't come visiting, bugger off, its mine.

:yes:

Snigger:innocent: Nah, I go out in the week when the crash and burn specialists aren't about :yes:

I guess the adventure boys might enjoy the clay and water all over the road, but on sport tyres, it's scary.

[Gremlin]

Well, there's ya answer... fit some knobblies to your triumph :D

[Motu]

Not in Coromadel,but close.Depends on the mindset - if poor road conditions upset you,don't ride on them....leave that for others.I was lucky these guys came along.

<a href="http://s1009.photobucket.com/albums/af212/bmwr65/?action=view&amp;current=OhinewaiRdslip.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af212/bmwr65/OhinewaiRdslip.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

<a href="http://s1009.photobucket.com/albums/af212/bmwr65/?action=view&amp;current=Ohinewaislip.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af212/bmwr65/Ohinewaislip.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

[Swoop]

Kopu-Hikuai is still in superb condition!:yes:

[lordlinty]

Hi,

I understand conditions were less than favourable at the end of Jan. DOes anyone know if the cleanup is complete?

I'm thinking of heading around this w/e.

Cheers

[Blackbird]

I rode from home (Coro town) to Pukekohe on Sunday. On the Thames coast road, the biggest problem is the amount of dry, powdered clay in places from the cleanup - the road is a bit of a hazard unless you really use your eyes. I had one decent drift on a corner, even taking it super-easy. Closer to home, the Coro Hill towards Whitianga is still a bloody mess with crap everywhere and work crews still cleaning up on the eastern side of the hill. Went over it in the car yesterday. It would be perfectly ok if you went steadily, but don't expect to get into a quick rhythm. Have no info on conditions round Kopu-Hikuai through to Whitianga. Sorry, but can't second-guess status for this coming weekend.

[slofox]

Danial Lamb and I crossed over Kopu and followed the road through Whitianga to Kuaotunu last Sunday. Came back the same way.

That section of the road is just fine. There is a little clay on the road on the hill north of Whitianga and the seal is a little uneven but it's not really a problem. Kopu pass is pretty much clear.

Even I had turned pretty insane by the time we were crossing back over at the end of the day...roarROARZOOMzoom...etc etc etc :o:

[lordlinty]

Thanks guys. Will take into consideration.

Cheers

[release_the_bees]

I did the loop on Sunday afternoon. As mentioned above, the upper-western side is still a bit of a mess, but I didn't have any issues with traction. It was bone dry though, and it would have been a totally different story if it had been wet.

Once you get around the top, and head down the east side, the road conditions are pretty much perfect though.

[The Pastor]

If anyone was thinking of doing the Coromandel Loop over the next week, I'd really think again. Rode from Coromandel to Whitianga this morning and there are slips everywhere, many of them 3/4 the way across the road. Quite a few of them are on bends with no warning signs out either. At the time of writing, the Thames coast road is completely blocked. I've never seen conditions so bad.

I guess most of the slips will be cleared in the next couple of days but the amount of clay and other debris on the road is another matter - that will be there for a lot longer. Apart from the safety aspect, it's going to take all day to get the baked-on clay off the Striple!

Cheers,

Geoff


what are they like now? many cops about?

[Blackbird]

what are they like now? many cops about?

Bit of loose powdered clay here and there on the inside lane of the Thames coast road but pretty much ok in the dry (can't speak for the eastern side of the Loop south of Whitianga). At the bottom of the eastern side of the Coro Hill, they're cutting back the cliff to stop future slips but the messy bit is less than 100 metres long.

I'll be riding to Thames this morning. Just requires a wee bit of caution and not too much red mist and it will be fine:yes::yes:

Don't know about cops. There certainly aren't any about on weekdays. Tend to avoid the weekends when there are more muppets on the road.

[The Pastor]

Bit of loose powdered clay here and there on the inside lane of the Thames coast road but pretty much ok in the dry (can't speak for the eastern side of the Loop south of Whitianga). At the bottom of the eastern side of the Coro Hill, they're cutting back the cliff to stop future slips but the messy bit is less than 100 metres long.

I'll be riding to Thames this morning. Just requires a wee bit of caution and not too much red mist and it will be fine:yes::yes:

Don't know about cops. There certainly aren't any about on weekdays. Tend to avoid the weekends when there are more muppets on the road.

Man I saw some muppets on the road this weekend. DAAAAM (a few bikes, but a stack load of tard cage drivers)

[Blackbird]

Man I saw some muppets on the road this weekend. DAAAAM (a few bikes, but a stack load of tard cage drivers)

Yep, I was talking about cage drivers too in the main. The worst fault is corner-cutting, even blind ones. Some twats cut corners even though they see a bike approaching - effing unbelievable!

Last week, I reported a Jucy rental van that was weaving all over the coast road and put a car coming the other way onto the grass verge. When I spoke to the guy at Jucy, it turned out to be a young English couple who had just come from the airport, probably jet-lagged. Scary to think that there are probably hundreds of people on the road like this at any given time.

[The Pastor]

If anyone was thinking of doing the Coromandel Loop over the next week, I'd really think again. Rode from Coromandel to Whitianga this morning and there are slips everywhere, many of them 3/4 the way across the road. Quite a few of them are on bends with no warning signs out either. At the time of writing, the Thames coast road is completely blocked. I've never seen conditions so bad.

I guess most of the slips will be cleared in the next couple of days but the amount of clay and other debris on the road is another matter - that will be there for a lot longer. Apart from the safety aspect, it's going to take all day to get the baked-on clay off the Striple!

Cheers,

Geoff


hi geoff,

whats the late night fuel situation like down on the coro?

[Blackbird]

hi geoff,

whats the late night fuel situation like down on the coro?

Not sure about the whole Peninsula, but Whitianga and Coromandel all close by 8pm. I'm guessing that Tairua is the same. Mobil in Thames opposite KFC or Mobil Kopu are your best bet to check out. Haven't a clue about the extreme south end - Paeroa, Whangamata... sorry.

[Whynot]

hi geoff,

whats the late night fuel situation like down on the coro?

Caltex in Thames is 24 hour, not sure but i think either Mobil by KFC or BP on the way in is also 24 Hour.

[release_the_bees]

There is a Gull station with a prepay credit card pump halfway up the east side too. I can't remember where exactly though.

[Scouse]

There is a Gull station with a prepay credit card pump halfway up the east side too. I can't remember where exactly though.

Fook I wouldn't put gull fuel anywhere near the gas tank of bike especially that blended shit

[Gremlin]

There is a Gull station with a prepay credit card pump halfway up the east side too. I can't remember where exactly though.
You're probably thinking of Tairua... I wouldn't be putting the ethanol stuff anywhere near my bike either.

Only 24hr station I know of is Caltex Thames.

[The Pastor]

You're probably thinking of Tairua... I wouldn't be putting the ethanol stuff anywhere near my bike either.

Only 24hr station I know of is Caltex Thames.

you reckon 2-3hrs is enough time for the ethanol to do any damage at all? (given that it takes me 2-3hrs to empty a tank!)

[Gremlin]

you reckon 2-3hrs is enough time for the ethanol to do any damage at all? (given that it takes me 2-3hrs to empty a tank!)
Generally, the ethanol does damage to the lines and shit, when they weren't originally designed to handle the blend. Don't ask for specifics, I know bugger all.

As to how fast it damages it, I have heard damage can be done within weeks, basically turning seals/rubber into goo. It depends how often you use the ethanol blends I guess, and whether the bike was designed with the blends in mind.

[The Pastor]

Generally, the ethanol does damage to the lines and shit, when they weren't originally designed to handle the blend. Don't ask for specifics, I know bugger all.

As to how fast it damages it, I have heard damage can be done within weeks, basically turning seals/rubber into goo. It depends how often you use the ethanol blends I guess, and whether the bike was designed with the blends in mind.

Sounds like bs to me, wonder if anyone has actually had any problems

[spookytooth]

my sons car carb started leaking after 1 fill from gull.Older car and may have been going to leak anyways,

[Usarka]

Sounds like bs to me, wonder if anyone has actually had any problems

http://www.suzukimotorcycles.com.au/faqs.php

"Suzuki Australia does not recommend its use."

[Gremlin]

Take some of your seals and/or fuel lines, buy some gull fuel, and soak the gear in a bucket of it. See if the seals and line degrade over a few days/weeks

[Latte]

Recently a number of plastic aprilia tanks in the US have been deforming due to high ethanol content in their fuel (~30% now) - it's creating a gap between the fuel pump base and the tank - probably a bad design flaw as well (no metal bracket in the tank except for some captive nuts to bolt the pump to).

It may affect rubber fuel lines/seals etc as well, it's not like these don't perish over time anyway, just the ethanol may speed that up - if you're happy taking the chance then go for it ... I do - 2 years so far no leaks or issues. Older bikes/cars were probably close to perishing anyway and thats why the issue appears.