gijoe1313's Blogs

Well this morning, the gear was hung out to dry on the line early, to allow the zephyr winds to wick away the rain's wickedness the previous night. Gloves stashed strategically on the Big Ol'Hornet's motor was retrieved and left on the warm concrete floor. Boots previously filled with water, were now more dry than damp, also left on the warm concrete floor to keep the gloves company.

As the morning rolled its way, I had cleared my chores and looked forward to where I wanted to go. Blue skies and clear of clouds ... and I felt like a pie (or two) for lunch. It didn't take long dear readers for a plan to burble its way through my subconsciousness and inevitably I found myself geared up and heading towards Kaiaua for a ride to the Coro!

I hear the pies there are pretty good!

It was a pleasant surprise to see that even with the deluge of the ages from last night, the roads were drying up quickly and it was with some brisk riding and elan that Kaiaua came and went quickly by. Across the blue green waves, the Coro beckoned, like a lissome female beckoning her paramours to come on over for while.

As Miranda was pounced upon, the clouds building up near the base of Kopu/Tairua looked ominous and foreboding, Zeus was stirring in his sleep. I felt a few droplets of rain going over the Kopu bridge, and the decision to ride the Coro loop clockwise was concomitant with my memory, that I had done it anti-clockwise the ride before!

A quick petrol and pee stop at the BP in Thames and the game was afoot! The coastal riding was beautiful indeed, the undulations egging me on to enjoy them with vim and vigour. Yes, the Coro once again had me entranced and I was looking forward to the other parts ahead.

On the uphill section to the lookout, I was overtaken by a spirited rider and his pillion on a ST1300, my, I was rather impressed with the skill he displayed going through those sections to Coromandel town. We parted company there, as I went ahead to Whitianga and they to an assignation in Coro town.

The quickness of this section and the beautiful sweepers make this fly by all too quickly, and soon I am ushered into mainstreet Whitianga, where I track down a fine purveyor of baked goods and assorted products. A lamb and mint pie accompanied by a potato top was soon devoured and with gusto, I threw my leg back over my machine and we were on our way to Tairua.

So, gentle reader, if you've had the opportunity to ride the Coro loop, you will have no need of me to tell you of the grandeur of the sweeping valleys, the nestled way nature tucks creeks and seaviews around corners for adventurers to admire, nor will you not need reminding of the majestic trees that dominate the heights, with the small bushes and scrubs shouldering each aside to compete for the sun.

And of course, there is no reason to voice aloud, the clouds that dot the sky, to encapsulate and frame all of the above. Wildlife, fortunately is restricted to birds foraging for food by the side of the roads, some surprised by your passing that they seem to be on a suicidal mission to impact on your body at a terminal speed.

Mayhap, a quick stop at Tairua to refuel the steed of mobility and from there, home was closer then from whence I started. It was during this home run back through the hills towards Kopu I was overtaken suddenly by the ringwraiths riding for weathertop. The brisk pace they set themselves, I could only hang back and admire ... and in some parts not admire, the sheer audacity of their passing maneuvers! Suffice to say, I was sitting behind them at the bridge waiting for the lights to allow the ringwraiths to cross the flowing waters.

I struck up a conversation with one, who was astride his hellion Triumph Sprint and it turns out they hailed also from the South of Auckland, returning each to their respective domiciles of Papakura, Waiuku and Pukekohe. I quoted back Takanini as my abode. The parting of our ways did not come until after Miranda, until after a section in the Hunuas where they bounded for the Bombays and I, to Clevedon and to home.

And here I come to the end of my tale, to the Coro, there and back again. Thank you once again my loyal reader for your time and patience, I shall endeavour to be more elegaic and less paen in my future scribings!

To each, our rest and hearth! I bid you fare well until next our paths do meet.