Concrete coloured skies.

[tri boy]

The weather man said the rain would hold off, and I had heard of a new cafe hidden away out the back of nth west Waikato, so a 24hr exploration ride was required.
The route would take me up towards Pt Waikato, between hwy22, and the coast, checking out a few paper roads, avoiding loose stock, and generally following the gravel.
Te Anga, Waimai valley, Ponganui, and Wairamarama gravel got me through to Tuakau, with a stop at Kawaa school rd farm house, for a coffee and a chat with the farmer, re paper road conditions.("not in the best state unfortunately, try in spring").
Klondyke road had the usual stray goats, sheep, and pig's about, and as the first late arvo shower slipped in, I headed for Pt Waikato Holiday park. ($35 is good cheap accom in my view).

Fri morning had me on the hunt for the brand new "Nikau Caves Cafe" www.nikaucave.co.nz Anne and Phillip have done an outstanding job setting up a cafe linked to cave exploring. This will be one of the future adv ride highlights this year.
After coffee, and soaking in the views of bush, stream, and hills, it was back onto the gravel to track down Waikato Adventures location. www.adventurewaikato.co.nz This will also be included in the future trip.
M/cyclists are adventurous people, so why not tie in some caving, abseiling, and a flying fox over a weekend?
Access out to the coast along this part of the country is getting harder n harder, but I think I may have made a reasonable connection, so maybe a detour along the coast line could also be likely.
Time was starting to slip away from me, calling for a good run sth along Te Akau sth rd, and then hooking back towards Raglan on Ruakiwi, and back to Hamilton.
24hrs out in the back country does wonders for your soul

Pic 1 Back country riding Rocks!

Pic 2 Our next America Cup Challenge base?

Pic 3 There is strong infrastructure to base a challenge around.

Pic 4 And accom is more than adequate.

[tri boy]

A few more pics.

The road to good coffee.
Nikau Cave cafe. (easily accessible for cruisers and sportbikes from Glen Murray).
Just remember, "if you fang it, you may loose it", these are back country sealed/gravel roads. Take it easy.

[tri boy]

last few........
Have a good weekend.

[xwhatsit]

Blimey, that Nikau Cave café looks alright! Where are all the customers?

Can't wait until the next time I see things like the 1st pic in your 1st post with my own eyes again. Auckland ruins your eyes and brain after a while.

[fireball]

now thats a bit of me! riding and caving!

must go check that out!

[tri boy]

Cafe has only been open for a bout 6weeks, so the "word" hasn't gotten out too far yet.
Cavers, and tourgroups in the weekend are it's main clientel at the mo, but has great potential for a m/cyclist haunt also. Acess for road bikes is off hwy22, but the adv bikes can get to it via limestone downs, or the nth of Te Akau. Well worth a look.

[CookMySock]

Thanks for posting. Always great to read about someone out and about doing it.

DB

[offrd]

Looks great Brent !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Robbo]

Looks great Brent !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Great review and pics tri-boy, thanks. A couple of those places bring back memories of places i have visited back in the early 80's on an XL500.
Cheers

[Taz]

Is the cafe licensed?

[STJim]

Can you tell me what the stae of the road is like comming from the Telecom tower ie the Waikaretu Valley Road. The cafe seems like an ideal place for Hamilton Ulysses to vist - problem is - alot of our members aren't fussed on gravel roads. Cheers

[tri boy]

Hi Guzzi Rider,
The Waikaretu is all sealed from the eastern end, (Glen Murray) all the way to the western end, (coastal end).
Narrows down a bit, and the usual hazards re pea metal, damp corners etc, but a great meander all the way to the cafe. A return trip back up the valley is required if gravel is to be avoided, but it is only approx 20km's and a pleasant ride.
Well worth a check.

and the cafe should be licensed shortly, as the owners have passed their bar managers requirements, but might be a month or so until that is sorted.

[marks]

hope you and Stanley had a good time

[tri boy]

Shameless thread troll, just to give you lot a reminder on the best cafe in the Waikato bar none.
The reason I make this claim will become obvious if you travel there on a half decent day, ( paying attention BD?).

The countryside is absolutely kiwianna at it's best.
You can get there via sealed, or gravel roads.
The food is excellent, with local produce used.
No traffic, just the sounds of streams, birds, etc.
VERY reasonable prices. ie, Thai chicken filo, with fresh salad, and a tasty flat white for...........$14
No whining, loud tourists, (like Raglan has become).

Take Waikaretu road, off Hwy22, at the big Telecom tower.
Forget Raglan. It just can't compete. MHO

(I'll even post a pic of the tower for those who are topographically challenged).
pssst, don't tell the Aucklanders.
Oooh, forgot to mention it's licensed, and is the base for the Cave Exploring.

[Warr]

Hi Brent, yes had heard this place was wel worth a visit, & sounds like you can certainly confirm.
Will have to move it up the list of must-do rides