Road tripping up north

**Slingshot** · 24th December 2005, 20:45

After the racing on boxing day we're heading off on a camping trip. Not sure of the route yet, other than staying in Turangi on the 26th and Waihi on the 31st (maybe).
I'm keen to do the Coro Loop at some stage, I assume that this is road around the peninsula...is there anything to watch out for?

Other than that we're really just going to take it as it comes, and hope to be able to find tent sites along the way.

Is there anywhere up that way that is a "must-do"?

**Str8 Jacket** · 24th December 2005, 20:49

Originally Posted by Slingshot

After the racing on boxing day we're heading off on a camping trip. Not sure of the route yet, other than staying in Turangi on the 26th and Waihi on the 31st (maybe).
I'm keen to do the Coro Loop at some stage, I assume that this is road around the peninsula...is there anything to watch out for?

Other than that we're really just going to take it as it comes, and hope to be able to find tent sites along the way.

Is there anywhere up that way that is a "must-do"?

You must go to hot water beach and there are some caves up around there somewhere in the coromandel that you should go see, its a beautiflu place the coromandel!!

**marty** · 24th December 2005, 20:58

[quote=Slingshot]I'm keen to do the Coro Loop at some stage, I assume that this is road around the peninsula...is there anything to watch out for?

quote]

dead possums. killing them is compulsory on the peninsula, and there's lots of them on the road. melting tar is another thing. lots of it, especially if it's hot. if it's not hot, then it'll probably be raining. hard. rain also makes the tar wet, which is like melting tar, but easier to pick up.

otherwise, just look out for aucklanders on their annual jaunt off the 4 laned parking lot they call motorway up there. most of them have no idea how to drive the coro loop. usually with a boat in tow.

and be nice to cyclists.

**skelstar** · 24th December 2005, 22:39

Originally Posted by marty

dead possums. killing them is compulsory...

azh...killing dead possums...the memories from youth.

You arent doing this trip from the back of your bike eh Sling?

**ZTHOU** · 25th December 2005, 05:45

Road conditions are pretty good up here now.Your main problem will be dickwackers in cages who aren't used to tight twisty narrow roads,and try to demand ownership of the piece they are driving on,consequently taking unnecessary risks.Scenery is stunning,lots of touristy things to do if you want,also the ride to Whangamata is also worth doing.
Enjoy

**pritch** · 25th December 2005, 07:25

[QUOTE=marty]

Originally Posted by Slingshot

[COLOR=black]
the 4 laned parking lot they call motorway

Good one!

I'm planning on doing the loop in a coupla days. Came up via Raglan and
SH22 yesterday, brilliant piece of road. Thanks again to those who recommended it and helped with advice.

Headed off 22 to Pokeno to find the road that runs through Hunua to Clevedon. (Another road rated by the Motorcyclists Atlas)
Somehow I managed to stuff that up and found myself in Papakura. No big deal, the roads were all new to me. I know the road from Papakura to Orere but that's usually fun anyway.

**Slingshot** · 25th December 2005, 08:03

Originally Posted by skelstar

azh...killing dead possums...the memories from youth.

You arent doing this trip from the back of your bike eh Sling?

No, Mrs S will be on the back...I'll be in the pilots seat.

**skelstar** · 25th December 2005, 10:31

Originally Posted by Slingshot

No, Mrs S will be on the back...I'll be in the pilots seat.

Sorry, I meant that I thought you might be doing this trip in the cage. I didnt want to imply the order of seating on the bike might have changed

...

**Slingshot** · 25th December 2005, 15:28

Originally Posted by skelstar

Sorry, I meant that I thought you might be doing this trip in the cage. I didnt want to imply the order of seating on the bike might have changed

...

Classic...but I couldn't think of anything worse than being stuck in a cage on some of the North Islands best motorcycling roads.

We'll be loading up the R6 with a tank bag, pack sack, air bed, tent and a couple of sleeping bags! And I can't wait!

**Slingshot** · 25th December 2005, 15:39

This post has a couple of the pics from last years road trip, we'll be carring about the same amount of stuff this year although the R6 is a little smaller than the CBR.

**Lou Girardin** · 27th December 2005, 20:34

Dunno about camping, but we just did a loop up north that rivals the Coro.
If I can remember the roads it goes;
Up SH 16 and SH1 to the Dargaville turn off at the bottom of the Brynderwyns. Through to Paparoa, the turn right onto the Oakleigh Rd. Through to SH1 and north for for about a km, then left onto the Maungatapere Rd through the Okaito valley. Left at Maungatapere and follow the Dargaville Rd till the Tangiwahine Rd then go left. Follow this onto Opouteke Rd till it meets Twin Bridges Rd and head left back to Maungatapere. The you can head back down the Oakleigh - Paparoa Rd or down to Waipu and through the gorge to Mangawhai. Then repeat SH1 - Sh16 etc.
400 odd km's, bugger all traffic once off 16 and 1, even on public holidays. Good road surfaces, great scenery. What more could you want.

**Motu** · 27th December 2005, 21:07

Well,you could take some of the gravel side roads and see even less cars and even better scenery.There's some fantastic roads in there,good enough for the WRC.

**Lou Girardin** · 28th December 2005, 07:25

Originally Posted by Motu

Well,you could take some of the gravel side roads and see even less cars and even better scenery.There's some fantastic roads in there,good enough for the WRC.

Gravel roads??????
But my new bike will get dirty.

**Motu** · 28th December 2005, 14:00

Go and rearrange the leaves on your driveway you anal obsessive hairdresser! Bikes are for using,not for gloating over with another award winning red from your wine cellar! Some of us have to ride 15 yr old bikes and drink free Stainlager y'know.....dirt hides all the scratches and dings.....