Waikato scooter rides?

[Saturn]

Just love the description of you taking the video, made me chuckle out loud.

[Moi]

Great ride - like the photo of the quarry: the colour of the rocks is such a contrast.

[awa355]

Got up this morning and realised that we were well into 2015 and I still hadn’t been anywhere on the scooter. Made a lunch, thermos and packed the cameras, then filled the spare petrol container and headed off. The plan was to ride the Marokopa-Awakino road and have a peek up a few side rides. I have ridden this road (Mangatoa) before but only untill Pomarangai road junction. That time Phill and I had ridden our road bikes over the Pomarangai and Ngapaenga roads.

I got away at 10am and it was an uneventfull ride through the back roads to Waitomo. From Waitomo the road had a lot of tar bleed for the first few ks. My first stop was just before Te Anga. This photo shows the Marakopa river just below the falls. I have had some success fishing this stretch of water.


From Te Anga the road follows the river untill the little village of Marakopa. The Marakopa river has the usual whitebaiters huts ranging from one fairly elaborate cottage type to the more common corrugated iron lean to’s and derilict caravans. The farmland along here appears to be mainly beef and sheep.
The early farmers around here ( and everywhere else) worked their hearts out breaking in the land. Hills as steep as anywhere covered with pockets of trees and grass.
The flat land either side of the river dotted with trees.


A wee bit further on I stopped to get a snapshot of this Pohutukawa tree


Before the village I turned left into Mangatoa road, otherwise known as the Marakopa-Awakino road. A short sharp climb to a small lookout over the river mouth and village. Once apon a time a section here was worth a pittance. Now the land grab has taken off and prices have gone through the roof. The river is very popular with surf casters.


After a quick snack I rolled on over the saddle and down to the Soundy road turnoff. A few k’s along side the Rararimu stream there is a small campsite by the river mouth. I got the feeling that the local campers weren’t too keen on visitors. Got this picture of the river mouth then headed back to Mangatoa road.


End of part 1.

[awa355]

Just past the junction of Soundy and Mangatoa roads the seal gives way to gravel. There is a thin belt of farmland along the river banks with scrub and bush covering most of the hills. The gravel lasts about 14 kilometres then becomes a marked double lane road for the rest of the drive to Awakino. About halfway along, Waikawau road is on the right. This is a 5k gravel road following the Mangawhitkau stream. What a lovely little spot at the end.

A small carpark then a man made tunnel leading out onto the beach.
This pic is of the stream before meeting the sea.



This is the entrance to the tunnel.


One of the inside. Plenty of water dripping from the roof and down the walls.



The view out onto the beach,


and back to the left of the exit


Here is what the history book says about the tunnel.
“ The only publicly accessible part of the coastline between Marokopa and Awakino, which are almost 60 kilometres apart by road, is at Waikawau beach. Access is via a narrow tunnel through the sandstone cliffs, which was made in 1911 by three men armed only with picks and shovels. It was constructed so cattle could be driven to and from Nukuhakare Station, on the hills above the tunnel. The farm is hilly and it was easier to drive the cattle along the beach than across the rough terrain. These days the tunnel is used by people rather than cows. “

The three mens’ names were, Tom, Dick and Hori. (don’t believe me do you?).

I thought about taking Buggsy through the tunnel as tyre tracks showed ATV’s using the tunnel, but the wooden ramp down onto the beach looked a bit too slimey and steep.
Back at the carpark, I topped Buggsy up with fuel. This was the first time on all of my rides that I had to used the extra fuel I usually carry. I may not have quite made it to Awakino.

[awa355]

From Waikawau school the road changes name to Manganui. The road is a scratchers delight. Lots of corners and for the most part, in good condition.
The forest that the road winds its way through for most of its length is the Wharekino State Forest. Towards the Awakino end the land is mostly farming country. I stopped and tried to capture some of the scenery.


The river is the Manganui. I stopped for a break under what must be one of the tallest “Piss off” signs I’ve seen.


Another snap of the roadside scenery.


Finally got to Awakino and took a break to refuel the spare container and top up the scooter. My butt was starting to tell me that the day was coming to an end soon so I stuck with SH3 up through the gorge untill I found Totoro road on the right. This would swing by Aria then back to Piopoi.
This road is quite rough along the Awakino end but improves closer to Aria. Some nice country through here . I had planned on passing through Aria and meandering across to SH4. But was getting a bit jaded by now, so came out at Piopio and stuck with the main drag back to Otorohonga, then the usual back road to Te Awamutu.
All up 300k’s for the day. I covered some new ground and had a lot of fun but have to admit, I’m looking forward to getting back on a proper bike. I could replace the scooter now and get a reasonable 2nd hand bike, or wait until June, when I can possibly look at a new 250.

[frogfeaturesFZR]

Great read, and nice pics, as usual Arthur!
Enjoy 2015
Cheers

[Robbo]

Brilliant Arthur, thanks for posting

Cheers

[Moi]

Morning and Happy New Year!

Your new camera does a great job - those photos are clear and crisp, especially like the pohutukawa tree shot.

Hope Buggsy doesn't hear of your evil plan to replace him!

BTW - what are you thinking of getting?

Cheers

[awa355]

Morning and Happy New Year!

Your new camera does a great job - those photos are clear and crisp, especially like the pohutukawa tree shot.

Hope Buggsy doesn't hear of your evil plan to replace him!

BTW - what are you thinking of getting?

Cheers

I'm thinking along the lines of a 200- 500 single or twin. Something light, simple and economical. A bike with a sit up position rather than a 'leaning forward' stance. Looking at various options from a XT250 to a Suzuki Inazuma. I want something that I can afford to maintain when retired in a couple of years. I like riding the secondary roads and exploring the no exit roads that disappear into the hills. At the moment I am leaning towards a dual purpose model. Trouble is finding one that I dont need to use a step ladder to climb on.

If a road bike, then I do like the look of this but a wee bit pricey

[Moi]

Go on, be a devil...

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/moto...-803105220.htm

[caseye]

Always enjoy reading and viewing your exploits, nice work, hunted around this area for many years, fished some of the rivers too, big strong fish in some of em, and in places you'd not expect.
On ya, get a proper dual purpose bike and continue enjoying what you are doing.

[BlackSheepLogic]

I'm thinking along the lines of a 200- 500 single or twin. Something light, simple and economical. A bike with a sit up position rather than a 'leaning forward' stance.

Are you planning on keeping the Scooter? I prefer the scooter around town to any road bike I've ever owned.

[awa355]

Are you planning on keeping the Scooter? I prefer the scooter around town to any road bike I've ever owned.

Will probably trade or sell the scooter. I'd like to keep it, but really, I would have no use for it and could not justify a 2nd lot of $427 re-licencing per year on a scooter. Te A is small enough that I can walk to most places.

[BlackSheepLogic]

Will probably trade or sell the scooter. I'd like to keep it, but really, I would have no use for it and could not justify a 2nd lot of $427 re-licencing per year on a scooter. Te A is small enough that I can walk to most places.

Flick me a note when the time comes.

[Saturn]

Happy New Year to all.

Great write up as usual Arthur. Took me down memory lane. We used to go to the A&P shows in Piopio and Aria and I can still place some of the pics (and that's from 60 years ago)
Cheers, Glen