Carnage Loop

**swbarnett** · 11th February 2008, 15:48

Originally Posted by DMNTD

So are we all agreeable that it's NOT the Coro Loop that is dangerous...it's the idiots attempting to do 140kmph around 55kmph corners that make it dangerous?

Agreed.

There's almost no such thing as a dangerous road.

**Maha** · 11th February 2008, 15:52

Originally Posted by swbarnett

Agreed.

There's almost no such thing as a dangerous road.

That is a very pertinent view....coupled with what DMNTD said, the two add up quite nicely, its not hard to figure out the answer.

**Badjelly** · 11th February 2008, 15:58

Originally Posted by swbarnett

There's almost no such thing as a dangerous road.

Almost. Las month I rode a mountain bike down the North Yungas Road in Bolivia:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yungas_Road

I think you could say that's a dangerous road.

**swbarnett** · 11th February 2008, 16:09

Originally Posted by Badjelly

Almost. Las month I rode a mountain bike down the North Yungas Road in Bolivia:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yungas_Road

I think you could say that's a dangerous road.

Yep, this would have to qualify as one of the roads that made me include the word "almost".

My point really is that, in the NZ context, while there are many roads that are unforgiving there aren't many that are dangerous even when treated with care.

**Unit:Me** · 11th February 2008, 16:43

Originally Posted by Skyryder

Done the Coro once. It's too good a ride to do at speed. Stunning scenery that should be seen.
Skyryder

True that

**Mom** · 11th February 2008, 16:55

Originally Posted by swbarnett

My point really is that, in the NZ context, while there are many roads that are unforgiving there aren't many that are dangerous even when treated with care.

I agree! We live just south of one of the blackest bits of road as far as carnage goes. It is an unforgiving bit of highway make no bones about it. We even have cheesecutters and a reduced speed limit to prove it now.

This is a road that I have driven more times than I could ever count, including many years commuting on a bike and only once hit a patch of OMG! WTF! 2 up in the rain. I managed to stay upright, my pillion friend thought I was mucking around and wanted to go back and do it again! It is not the roads, it is the road users that are the problem.

**FROSTY:Me** · 11th February 2008, 17:33

Again I to a degree disagree--There is so much shit on our roads its a wonder we stay upright sometimes.

**El Dopa** · 11th February 2008, 18:12

Originally Posted by Badjelly

Almost. Last month I rode a mountain bike down the North Yungas Road in Bolivia:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yungas_Road

I think you could say that's a dangerous road.

Did you need a separate trailer for your balls?

**Badjelly** · 12th February 2008, 08:42

Originally Posted by El Dopa

Did you need a separate trailer for your balls?

My usual transport is a Scorpio, mate. Does that answer your question?

There's a photo from the trip down the Yungas Road that I'm rather proud of. The group I was with had stopped at a curve and the guide had informed us that there was sheer drop at the road edge of 300 m ("And over here it's 500 m", he said). The photo shows all the members of the group, except one, standing on the edge holding their bikes over the drop. I was the exception, standing against the cliff on the other side of the road. I'm a bit nervous around big drops and there was no way I was going to look over that edge.

**surfchick** · 12th February 2008, 11:20

bits of the full and half coro loop changes all the time -
last dec the the kopu-hikuai-whanga rd was sheer perfection. perfection all the seal was good, no works and not hot enough to melt.

there's often pea gravel on the coro-thames section from trucks spilling it on the tight turns for some reason...poohs

last week the kopu-hikuai lower section had big works and the hikuai-whanga was melting

my parents live over there so i ride it all the time -not usually in big groups tho. i've got to say that the holiday season isn't really the best with towed boats taking generous chunks out of the corners. Actually that road writes off a good number of cars so I ride quick but give alot of consideration to the feel of the traffic about and back off unless I can SEE exactly the road surface and road ahead. blindies get more space and less speed.

the dilema with that neck of the woods is...mm to ride..or surf...ride or surf... luckily its flat sea alot so RIIIDDDEEE

**90s** · 12th February 2008, 13:41

Agree with all the comments on the road not beind dangerous in itself, if not treated as a racetrack. Its a stunning day out though for some nice riding and for views - its why I am in NZ. My profile pic was taken overlooking Cathedral Cove, 5mins from some excellent restaurants. What a fantastic life it is.
Imagine losing all that for trying to prove to someone unspecified that I am the racing man around the loop. No one is timing you. There's no podium. Do trackdays to race. Ride and enjoy it. Enjoy all life has to offer.

As for Skiddy, don't put him on the ignore list. I did 5000ks through the SI over Christmas, inc. all the passes and Buller gorge. I saw 100s of bikes (esp over the road out of Nelson to Picton - what the hell was going on there on Jan 2nd?) and there were a few that were lucky not to be toast - inc. a few on my side of the road I avioded and saved the lives of (did they realise?).
On the whole I reckon the KBers rode responsibly. But there's a lot of SkidMarks out there who never find KB, never learn bike control, and like to "go racing". Skiddy reminds me how many many bikers who never post here probably think. A sobering lesson.
Last weekend for example I spoke to a guy with a GSX-F like mine, but new. Heading off to the Coro - asked if I'd done it. He'd heard it was excellent. He also had no bike licence at all - just bought a bike. Just thought he could ride it. There's many on here who would say that is wrong, but be riding 600s on their L because "they know better". Sure.

As long as I think there might be one of this guy or one skidmark out there on the Coro I'll treat every corner as if they, a campercan or a 4x4 could be coming around it on the wrong side.
Lifes too short. I don't want mine any shorter.

**Her_C4** · 12th February 2008, 14:04

Originally Posted by 90s

Lifes too short. I don't want mine any shorter.

Excellent philosophy to have too...

I saw 100s of bikes (esp over the road out of Nelson to Picton - what the hell was going on there on Jan 2nd?)

Nelson Port Races? You missed it??

**90s** · 12th February 2008, 14:10

Originally Posted by Her_B4

Excellent philosophy to have too...

Nelson Port Races? You missed it??

Of course! (memory deficiency - growing old!). Yeah, missed it. Ferry to catch, work'n'all next day

**skidMark** · 12th February 2008, 16:54

Originally Posted by Badjelly

Almost. Las month I rode a mountain bike down the North Yungas Road in Bolivia:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yungas_Road

I think you could say that's a dangerous road.

Woah, i wanna take the zxr down there!

looks frikking kick ass.