Waitomo, Kawhia loop

[haydes55]

Just did a big ride with Nev around south Waikato.

http://maps.google.co.nz/maps?saddr=...via=1&t=m&z=10

Great road. First half of the trip the roads were amazing, second half had alot of gravel patches and trees in the road.

Definitely doing this ride again. Highly recomended, might be best to ride out past Kawhia then return the same route to avoid the less than quality roads on the 2nd half of the loop.

Best sunday cruise in a long time

[BigAl]

Cool circuit, I wonder if the south loop is usually in better condition.

Was it just road works?

[haydes55]

Cool circuit, I wonder if the south loop is usually in better condition.

Was it just road works?

Yea, every second corner sometimes every corner for 10-20ish km had patches that were recently repaired. Hopefully next summer it will be all swept and good as new. There were also a few trees and branches fallen on the road from the weather yesterday, that was to be expected.

Forgot to mention the little gas scare, trying to find a gas station to fill up half way around the loop. Back tracked to Kawhia and found an expensive but handy located gas station. Nev was on reserve gas for 40~km

[BigAl]

Cheers must give it a go.

[nzspokes]

Looks like a nice little loop, must pop down and give it a shot.

[sil3nt]

where was the invite to all the waikato riders

Only done that once before and it was good fun on the 250.

[nzspokes]

where was the invite to all the waikato riders

Both of them did the ride.

[JustNick]

Great route that, I ran it a few months back. I loved the scenery going around the harbour around Taharoa. I couldn't believe the road out to Kawhia was still in pretty average condition (I last drove that road about 8 or 9 years ago and was expecting improvements ... ).

[haydes55]

where was the invite to all the waikato riders

Only done that once before and it was good fun on the 250.

Was a pretty last minute decision haha, in all seriousness though, next weekend I'm going to Te Puke for the bucket racing but the weekend after I plan on doing it again (weather dependant). Perfect road for bikes of all sizes, think I got to 100km/h once in the actual loop.

Waikato riders keen to do this ride 17th or 18th?

[haydes55]

Great route that, I ran it a few months back. I loved the scenery going around the harbour around Taharoa. I couldn't believe the road out to Kawhia was still in pretty average condition (I last drove that road about 8 or 9 years ago and was expecting improvements ... ).

Going to pack the togs and towel for this loop next summer! Have to agree, the scenery the entire loop was good, so unspoilt. Didn't take any photos this trip but I will next time

[nzspokes]

Was a pretty last minute decision haha, in all seriousness though, next weekend I'm going to Te Puke for the bucket racing but the weekend after I plan on doing it again (weather dependant). Perfect road for bikes of all sizes, think I got to 100km/h once in the actual loop.

Waikato riders keen to do this ride 17th or 18th?

Oh, if you do PM me closer to the time. I would be in if Im clear of kids.

[awa355]

Just did a big ride with Nev around south Waikato.
Great road. First half of the trip the roads were amazing, second half had alot of gravel patches and trees in the road.

Definitely doing this ride again. Highly recomended, might be best to ride out past Kawhia then return the same route to avoid the less than quality roads on the 2nd half of the loop.

Best sunday cruise in a long time

No way in the world should you ever have to backtrack any roads in this area. You take the good with the bad, all part of motorcycling. back off the throttle and enjoy the scenery, and the corners. Half this circut is comprised of highways. Waitomo to Te Anga is tight, Harbour rd has a lot of loose shale on the corners washed down off the banks. Kawhia rd has a lot of uneven surface,

[insomnia01]

next time turn off at Marakopa & follow that through to Awakino

[awa355]

next time turn off at Marakopa & follow that through to Awakino

AND! if thats too easy, ( gravel), after about 8 k's of gravel road from the Marakopa end, take a left onto Pomarangi rd. This goes from gravel to goat track. About 40 minutes of 1st & 2nd gear weaving around fallen Puangas, branches brushing your helmet. you come out on the Ngapaenga rd. Then about 15k's of fast gravel road untill the Oparure rd.

Phillmc and I did this on our road bikes,. A CBF250 and BMW K1100. I had been through the Pomarangi rd in the early 70's. It hadn't changed, ( Good King country back road).

[haydes55]

AND! if thats too easy, ( gravel), after about 8 k's of gravel road from the Marakopa end, take a left onto Pomarangi rd. This goes from gravel to goat track. About 40 minutes of 1st & 2nd gear weaving around fallen Puangas, branches brushing your helmet. you come out on the Ngapaenga rd. Then about 15k's of fast gravel road untill the Oparure rd.

Phillmc and I did this on our road bikes,. A CBF250 and BMW K1100. I had been through the Pomarangi rd in the early 70's. It hadn't changed, ( Good King country back road).

Being on a motard my bike is made for that need to sort me out some dual purpose wheels though. Then I can give it shit on the gravel haha. Saw a guy on a KTM dual purpose bike today in Putaruru and he stopped in Cambridge (where I just happened to be having lunch So I had a little chat with him about this loop and he was saying he just got back from riding Taupo all weekend, through the gravel. He came from Auckland so must be some good riding Could be worth a weekend trip once I get some new rubber.