Unpopular (nice, but deserted) spots close around South Auckland?

**zeocen** · 9th December 2006, 19:14

So I've got a bit of free time on my hands as of late, and the weather has been astonishing during the week - so I've hopped on my trusty 250 and gone for a tiki-tour to anywhere that's close-ish to Manurewa, sadly - even during the week everywhere seems to have more and more people!

The sun is great right now and I just want to go find a place to take my bike and a magazine somewhere, chill out and then treat myself to a nice ride home.. but I can't find anywhere! Maraetai is a little too far away and the closest beach (Weymouth) is pretty much all rock.

Yeah, this is a terrible thread - I just find myself riding around without a destination, burning fuel for no good reason and coming home shortly after! It's my first summer with a bike damnit, I want destinations!

Sorry for the worthless excuse for a thread, just thought I'd take a shot to see if any people knew of some nice locations that are somewhat quiet around my area :P

bad zeo! long post!

**McJim** · 9th December 2006, 19:19

Explain what distance you are prepared to ride. I consider Maraetai too close to be worth a trip for example. Does it need to be a beach or even on the coast?

Have you considered heading out West to Manukau Heads (Past Waiuku) for example? Nice spots out there.

Next time I find I'm at a loose end I'll drop you a PM and I'll show you some of the roads I've discovered.

**zeocen** · 9th December 2006, 19:30

It depends how I feel on the day really, sometimes I just want to take a short trip, relax and admire my 2 wheels from a view. I'd consider Maraetai the extent of how far I would go though, just on petrol alone (I'm stingy!).

That'd be great if you do have some spare time! As long as you don't mind riding with a nana-corner'er, I'm sure that'd make for some funny videos though

**Ixion** · 9th December 2006, 19:38

Port Waikato. Waiuku Forest.Clarks Beach

**McJim** · 9th December 2006, 19:39

Originally Posted by zeocen

That'd be great if you do have some spare time! As long as you don't mind riding with a nana-corner'er, I'm sure that'd make for some funny videos though

What are you talking about? I am a self confessed nana! I strongly suspect your bike is faster than mine!

**Swoop** · 9th December 2006, 20:02

Originally Posted by zeocen

I just find myself riding around without a destination, burning fuel for no good reason...

Sounds perfectly sane to me!!!!!!

Who needs a destination? Just put road under your tyres and go!

**Ixion** · 9th December 2006, 20:07

Do as I do. Before you set out determine that you will turn off each road by a preset algoritm. eg 3rd right, 4th left 1st right , etc . No exit roads don't count.

Then follow it.

You will be surprised where you end up.

In Auckland it is necessary to get to some "jumping off pint" before initialising the algorithm.

**McJim** · 9th December 2006, 20:16

Originally Posted by Ixion

"jumping off pint" .

I know it was unintentional...but I like the way you're thinking...gonna go to the fridge and fetch a cold one now - thanks for the subliminal suggestion Ixion.

**Motu** · 9th December 2006, 20:46

Originally Posted by Ixion

Do as I do. Before you set out determine that you will turn off each road by a preset algoritm. eg 3rd right, 4th left 1st right , etc . No exit roads don't count.

Then follow it.

You will be surprised where you end up.

In Auckland it is necessary to get to some "jumping off pint" before initialising the algorithm.

Heh,heh - I used to do that sort of stuff when I was learning to ride and drive,got to learn how the city worked.Still take lots of ''I wonder where that goes?'' roads.

As Ixion says - head out to Waiuku,take the Clarks Beach road,or ant other road that takes your fancy.All roads lead somewhere....

**zeocen** · 9th December 2006, 21:25

Originally Posted by McJim

What are you talking about? I am a self confessed nana! I strongly suspect your bike is faster than mine!

Sounds like a drag is in order for the KB slowest 250 is in order! :P

But in all seriousness, yeah, I'm just thinking of beaches/parks/anywhere I can park and have some silence. I've been putting around aimlessly for too long, I'm starting to get bad habits (figuring how to lock up the back brake and come to a sliding halt like in the movies) out of boredom :P

**iwilde** · 9th December 2006, 21:38

I got 1 for ya, go to the airport and come back George Bolt Drive and just after the round about turn left onto Ihumatao Rd and follow to you get to Oruarangi Rd. From their you can follow the Rd either all the way back to Kirkbride or take a left at Greenwood which can take you out to Mangere Bridge water front. I nornaly do this circuit if Im desperate for a ride but only got about 30-60mins of time. When I get my new bike I'll PM ya.

**beyond** · 9th December 2006, 22:20

Errmmm, I might be a phsycho but when I get on the bike for a shortish ride I do just that, ride. I can read books at home and when the missus lets me have a bit of time out, I'm on the bike and gone. The whole time I'm out I just want to ride.

My favourite is up through Hunua Gorge, down past Hotel Du Vin turn off, back roads to Kauiau, through Clevedon, up monument road and back down through the gorge. Hour and a quarter if you're quick and just an awesome ride I never tire of. I don't stop to find a quite spot to read a book though.

I've gone to the trouble of getting all my clobber on and have a few moments spare than riding is what'll I do. But hey, whatever floats your boat. There's heaps of roads that lead to all sorts of quite places around this way.

**Donor** · 10th December 2006, 05:53

Originally Posted by zeocen

The sun is great right now and I just want to go find a place to take my bike and a magazine somewhere, chill out and then treat myself to a nice ride home.. but I can't find anywhere! Maraetai is a little too far away and the closest beach (Weymouth) is pretty much all rock.

Ya, Weymouth isn't exactly the height of fashion when it comes to beaches...

I know you said Maraetai is a bit far out, but myself and a mate might be taking a jaunt out there from Papakura today to grab an ice cream. Nothing major, just a casual cruise out, eat an ice cream, and come back.

Failing that, a spin out the Great South Road to Drury, then come back via the back roads to Opaheke is a nice 20 minute time waster. Can extend that down Boundary Rd, to the base of Red Hill, over the top to Dominion Rd and then tootle back to town down Clevedon Rd... lots of fun spots for a slow and cruisy ride really...

**zeocen** · 10th December 2006, 09:49

Originally Posted by beyond

Errmmm, I might be a phsycho but when I get on the bike for a shortish ride I do just that, ride. I can read books at home and when the missus lets me have a bit of time out, I'm on the bike and gone. The whole time I'm out I just want to ride.

Well, I said I had some free time on my hands.. even if I did the exact roads you did with a stop in between it's still the same amount of time on the bike, just with a "stop and smell the roses" in the middle of it. So yeah..

Originally Posted by Donor

I know you said Maraetai is a bit far out, but myself and a mate might be taking a jaunt out there from Papakura today to grab an ice cream. Nothing major, just a casual cruise out, eat an ice cream, and come back.

If the weather stays where it is right now I might be tempted to go out there myself today, if you see a black-ish gpx throw something at me and I'll come say hi