Coromandel road conditions

**Blackbird** · 30th January 2011, 11:00

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** · 30th January 2011, 11:08

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 ...

**Blackbird** · 30th January 2011, 11:17

Originally Posted by 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 ...

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** · 31st January 2011, 12:03

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

**Blackbird** · 31st January 2011, 12:10

Originally Posted by Gremlin

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

Snigger

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

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

**Gremlin** · 31st January 2011, 12:16

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

**Motu** · 31st January 2011, 13:04

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.

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**Swoop** · 31st January 2011, 13:25

Kopu-Hikuai is still in superb condition!

**lordlinty** · 8th February 2011, 11:09

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** · 8th February 2011, 11:38

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** · 8th February 2011, 12:17

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

:

**lordlinty** · 8th February 2011, 12:33

Thanks guys. Will take into consideration.

Cheers

**release_the_bees** · 8th February 2011, 14:56

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** · 18th February 2011, 22:57

Originally Posted by 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

what are they like now? many cops about?

**Blackbird** · 19th February 2011, 06:31

Originally Posted by renegade master

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

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.