Week to kill - North Island loop

[Duncan74]

Bike thermometer was north of 30 for most of yesterday. Today maxed at 18, but typically 17. Even allowing for inaccuracies in absolute, that swing was a shock to the system.

Shorter riding day tomorrow, and less twisties I think. Offset by needing to battle Wellington cbd traffic.

[Duncan74]

Wow, wow wow. And wow. What a fan-bloody-tastic day. Best yet by a long way. Left Castlepoint at 7am for breakfast at Martinbrough. Great food and topped the tank up. Managed to find a backwoods route that was twisty in places, but mainly sweeping bends linked by long, wide straights. If there were hidden speed cameras here I expect to keep nz post very busy in the coming days....
From there, Cape Pallisder. Huge thanks for the suggestion to go there as that route was stunning. Overcast and windy added to the spectacle. Gravel was interesting, but manageable, and really only last 4km. Then back to featherstone for coffee and a warning from another biker that the wind was making things tricky on the rimutakas. So took it steady, basically just following the tourist cars, but certainly hairy as you came around a couple of corners and caught a gust. Into welly for 1230, and an afternoon of galleries and shopping.

[Frodo]

Thanks for the update.
Off to Castlepoint this weekend.

[Waihou Thumper]

and an afternoon of galleries and shopping.

What! all that time and no more riding....
Geez....
Nice work though and glad you had some fun on the wee....

[Duncan74]

Done, done done. 2008km since Sunday and the bike didn't miss a beat.

Yesterday was a it of a disapointment. Ride out of Wellington was good, but to be honest then from there it was all a it 'meh' up to New Plymouth. Was strong winds, but thanfully off the coast so that meant it was constant and not gusty when passing oncoming trucks. After Cape Pallisder, then the lighthouse was a bit of a let down.

However, today was sublime. Perfect riding conditions and SH3 from NP to Hamilton was just sweepy bends, no traffic bliss. Then I cut cross country to go around lake Karipiro and then some back roads to the Kaimais. Lovely, lovely lovely.

Met a group of three bikers at the Fat Pigeon cafe who were doing the same loop as me the other way - actually think I saw them on Monday as we passed on Route 52.

[eldog]

Done, done done. 2008km since Sunday and the bike didn't miss a beat.

Yesterday was a it of a disapointment. Ride out of Wellington was good, but to be honest then from there it was all a it 'meh' up to New Plymouth. Was strong winds, but thanfully off the coast so that meant it was constant and not gusty when passing oncoming trucks. After Cape Pallisder, then the lighthouse was a bit of a let down.

However, today was sublime. Perfect riding conditions and SH3 from NP to Hamilton was just sweepy bends, no traffic bliss. Then I cut cross country to go around lake Karipiro and then some back roads to the Kaimais. Lovely, lovely lovely.

Met a group of three bikers at the Fat Pigeon cafe who were doing the same loop as me the other way - actually think I saw them on Monday as we passed on Route 52.

Now you just need to plan a few more trips about the place.....
then the Sth Is......