Coromandel Loop Update

**Blackbird** · 16th January 2018, 09:43

Most people would have heard about the damage to the Thames coast road from the recent storm but if you haven't seen photos, some of them are here: http://geoffjames.blogspot.co.nz/201...f-deja-vu.html . For anyone contemplating the full Loop, the Thames-Coro coast road is open but there are some really rough patches. Not too bad on a dual sport/adventure bike but can be a bit hairy on a normal road bike, especially if it's wet as there's a lot of mud and stones about. The southbound lane isn't as bad as the northbound one, which took the brunt of the storm. However, road conditions aside, it's all the stop-go and temporary traffic lights which take all the joy out of travelling on this stretch at present. Normally, it takes a bit under an hour to travel from Coromandel Town to Thames. It took one of my neighbours 1.75 hours a couple of days ago. This will vary depending on the level of reconstruction going on at the time.

If anyone is hell-bent on coming to the Peninsula in the next couple of months, the east coast road is fine. Not quite sure why you'd want to come at a time when the roads are choked with holidaymakers though

.

Cheers,

Geoff

**slofox** · 16th January 2018, 10:17

Originally Posted by Blackbird

Not quite sure why you'd want to come at a time when the roads are choked with holidaymakers though

.

Cheers,

Geoff

Which is why I never go near there until February...

**Blackbird** · 16th January 2018, 10:22

Originally Posted by slofox

Which is why I never go near there until February...

Wise man

. I can't even get near the boat ramp on our own street because it's chokka with effin' holidaymakers. Can't ride, can't fish...... ah well, a good time to tackle all those never-ending domestic "Honey do" jobs that my wife is getting pissed offabout

**Navy Boy** · 16th January 2018, 10:22

Originally Posted by Blackbird

Most people would have heard about the damage to the Thames coast road from the recent storm but if you haven't seen photos, some of them are here: http://geoffjames.blogspot.co.nz/201...f-deja-vu.html . For anyone contemplating the full Loop, the Thames-Coro coast road is open but there are some really rough patches. Not too bad on a dual sport/adventure bike but can be a bit hairy on a normal road bike, especially if it's wet as there's a lot of mud and stones about. The southbound lane isn't as bad as the northbound one, which took the brunt of the storm. However, road conditions aside, it's all the stop-go and temporary traffic lights which take all the joy out of travelling on this stretch at present. Normally, it takes a bit under an hour to travel from Coromandel Town to Thames. It took one of my neighbours 1.75 hours a couple of days ago. This will vary depending on the level of reconstruction going on at the time.

If anyone is hell-bent on coming to the Peninsula in the next couple of months, the east coast road is fine. Not quite sure why you'd want to come at a time when the roads are choked with holidaymakers though

.

Cheers,

Geoff

Thanks for the update Geoff. Good job I managed to get up your way late last year then!

I've a jetski for sale if that'd be better for you to get about on!

**Blackbird** · 16th January 2018, 10:27

Originally Posted by Navy Boy

Thanks for the update Geoff. Good job I managed to get up your way late last year then!

I've a jetski for sale if that'd be better for you to get about on!

Cheers Lee. Jetskis are for city folk. I'd receive the same level of scorn with one of those as I would if I washed my 4x4 more than once a year

**eldog** · 16th January 2018, 13:23

I came back at the height of the storm and high tide.
No worries on the east coast road. At 10 pm.

Just lots of pine needles in exits of corners.

Not the shells and debris I saw at Kaiaua a week later.

**caspernz** · 16th January 2018, 13:48

Originally Posted by slofox

Which is why I never go near there until February...

Did a loop middle of December 2017, on a weekday mind you, felt like the calm before the storm...

Originally Posted by Blackbird

Cheers Lee. Jetskis are for city folk. I'd receive the same level of scorn with one of those as I would if I washed my 4x4 more than once a year

Sorry sir but your statement needs a soundtrack...

https://youtu.be/myhnAZFR1po

**Blackbird** · 16th January 2018, 13:51

Originally Posted by caspernz

Did a loop middle of December 2017, on a weekday mind you, felt like the calm before the storm...

Sorry sir but your statement needs a soundtrack...

https://youtu.be/myhnAZFR1po

That's exactly the one Rob

. The squealing wild pigs can be found about 4km down the 309 road where they get fed by one of the feral locals

**nzspokes** · 16th January 2018, 17:00

Sounds like a great adventure ride, down to Coro then round the back and over the 309.

**Blackbird** · 16th January 2018, 18:24

Originally Posted by nzspokes

Sounds like a great adventure ride, down to Coro then round the back and over the 309.

The 309 is dangerous enough on my pushbike Rob, let alone with an engine - all those white tourist vans who haven't got a clue about driving on metal.

**SPman** · 23rd January 2018, 00:53

309?
Tapu - Coroglen?

**Blackbird** · 23rd January 2018, 06:05

Originally Posted by SPman

309?
Tapu - Coroglen?

Nope, the 309 Road runs east from about 3 km south of Coromandel Town across to about 5km south of Whitianga. Most of it is unsealed and runs through beautiful scenery. Ok on an adventure bike or similar but less so with normal road tyres.

I travelled on the Thames coast road on Saturday. They've done a remarkable job of fixing it and there are only a couple of short stretches of gravel which are fine. It only took me an additional 15 minutes because of a combination of speed restrictions and temporary stop-go's and traffic lights. However, It will depend on what they are working on at the time - could be a lot more. Main thing is that the road is just fine for bikes again.