Waiheke Rides

**Fatt Max** · 17th January 2009, 08:13

I'm off on a bit of a break with the family over to Waiheke for a few days and am toying with the idea of letting them have the cage and I'll go on the bike.

Never having been there before and having no idea about the place, does anyone have any opinions about how 'bike friendly' the place is? I've asked around a few people (granted they are not bikers) and there is a big difference of opinion.

Also, if I do decide to bring VL-Zee-Bub with me and there are any KB'ers on the island who fancy hooking up with a fat pommie git in February then let me know....I'll bring the pies..

Cheers all

**tri boy** · 17th January 2009, 08:28

It's a great Island to cruise on a bike. (lived there for 2years)
The eastern end "loop" ride is stunning on a nice day. 50/50 sealed/unsealed, but the surface of the unsealed is very good.
If you don't mind a bit of dust on your wheels, i highly recomend it.
Cruising Oneroa, Church Bay, Onetangi beaches are also way cool. Do it!

**Fatt Max** · 17th January 2009, 08:33

Originally Posted by tri boy

It's a great Island to cruise on a bike. (lived there for 2years)
The eastern end "loop" ride is stunning on a nice day. 50/50 sealed/unsealed, but the surface of the unsealed is very good.
If you don't mind a bit of dust on your wheels, i highly recomend it.
Cruising Oneroa, Church Bay, Onetangi beaches are also way cool. Do it!

Jeez, that sounds great mate, thanks for the words

**tri boy** · 17th January 2009, 08:41

Yup, shes a great day out.
The roads a quite narrow, and streets are steep in places. The locals tend to drive a bit loose, so be aware around the villages.
But once your out on the eastern end, kick back, drop down a gear, and have the camera ready.
Fuel up at Onetangi service station if need be coz the loop is about 50km.
Take snacks/water as it can get hot out there, and there are no shops.
Stony Batter gun emplacements are worth a look,(take a small torch), but if it's hot, it's no fun walking in riding gear. Places to stop for a dip in the water are Orapiu, and a few other bays, (cow bay etc). Pack a towel/togs/hat.

**Motu** · 17th January 2009, 10:03

I lived there for 10 years - I could have a late breakfast,ride every road on the island and be back for lunch.I don't know how many roads are left unsealed - when Waiheke Island joined Auckland City Council there was a big push to seal as many as possible.The gravel is different than most places,often called rotten rock it is high in manganese and can cause corrosion - they put down fairly large kumara sized rock,this then breaks down smaller and smaller....not so prone to wearing into wheel tracks.Once I got used to them I found them better than normal gravel roads.

It's all about beaches,some unusual houses and all the twisty roads that join them.It used to be full of the most bizarre people in the country....every wierdo,dyke,queer and artist flocked there in droves,but I think the money people have pushed most of them out.You have to do the loop,it's the longest ride you can do.

**smoky** · 17th January 2009, 10:16

Originally Posted by tri boy

Yup, shes a great day out.
the camera….
Snacks…
water
small torch
towel
togs
hat.

Bloody hell tri boy – you must carry a big bag with you

What does it cost to get over there on your bike?

**Starky307** · 17th January 2009, 10:30

Originally Posted by Fatt Max

I'm off on a bit of a break with the family over to Waiheke for a few days and am toying with the idea of letting them have the cage and I'll go on the bike.

Never having been there before and having no idea about the place, does anyone have any opinions about how 'bike friendly' the place is? I've asked around a few people (granted they are not bikers) and there is a big difference of opinion.

Also, if I do decide to bring VL-Zee-Bub with me and there are any KB'ers on the island who fancy hooking up with a fat pommie git in February then let me know....I'll bring the pies..

Cheers all

If you decide not to take you own bike there are scooters for hire the last time I was there.

Check it may cost more to get you bike over than to hire a bike once there, it isn't very big so unless you plan on going around and around the island maybe compare just hiring a bike for a day.

Just an idea.