I haven’t been up the coromandel for years and never on a bike, so now the weather is warming up I’ve decided an overnight ride to Fletcher Bay is in Order.
I plan to ride up from Papamoa on 22/10 (weather pending so not fixed in stone, could be a wknd either side) taking in as many of the gravel roads as practial. The plan is…Tapu coroglen rd, 309 rd, Kennedy bay rd, Port charles rd & Port jackson rd.
https://www.google.co.nz/maps/dir/Thames/Fletcher+Bay,+Waikato/@-36.8037517,175.2283425,10z/am=t/data=!3m1!4b1!4m24!4m23!1m15!1m1!1s0x6d7280cad845f3c3:0x500ef6143a30d40!2m2!1d175.5413497!2d-37.1384423!3m4!1m2!1d175.605933!2d-36.9785007!3s0x6d7289bf4a98b311:0x1300ef61070c44a0!3m4!1m2!1d175.5348252!2d-36.6928794!3s0x6d72f9e41b30d0b3:0x4a9d8613cff8cb7a!1m5!1m1!1s0x6d731d094fe43f39:0x500ef6143a2ce00!2m2!1d175.3887625!2d-36.476307!3e0
If anyone is keen to join me your more than welcome. Happy to meet up at Thames or anywhere else that suits.
Cheers Tim.
Tentatively interested. That’s Labour long weekend and so lots will be on.
I could not decide whether going on Labour weekend was a good or bad thing. The good being I could hang with the family on the Monday & the bad being, as you say lots on, busy rds etc. Though I doubt Fletcher Bay campsite would be busy in October. If there is definite interest but 22/10 does not suit, Im happy to go on 15/10 or 29/10.
If you decide to go either 15/10 or 29/10 and the weather outlook is okay then I’m keen and could meet up in Thames. I did a ride at Christmas to Coro including the Tapu and Coro roads and am happy to ride these again as well as explore north of Coro, where I haven’t travelled yet.
Same here, 15th or 29th work out best.
Ok, great to see some interest. Since I’m not fussed on which weekend I shall officially make it the 15th Oct with a poor weather backup of 29th.
Scott – Happy to meet up at Thames.
Is there gas stops along the way? My tank can only go 180kms and less offroad
According to google maps the longest section, coromandel town to fletcher bay and back again is approx 145km. Fuel in Thames and Coromandel town.
I’m out, unfortunately I already have plans both those weekends.
No worries Eddie. Maybe next time. Should be a blast, all new roads for me and I get to test out my new tent.
I am keen will confirm nearer to the date
There is fuel at the Colville store (Between Coro town and Fletchers) , but prepare to be paying over inflated world market prices…..
# Michael Wright what do you reckon?
Could do a day ride, not overnight. Got other plans.
Suits me. I will touch base closer to the date.
oooh might get a bike out!
im going with these guys on the 5th, otherwise I would have been keen.
Well it’s all being organised on the website so if you want in you better head over there
Cool, might be quite a group. Fingers crossed for a half decent weekend on the 15th
I was supposed to be on my 2 day ride round the east coast right now…
Stupid dumb weather and closed roads!!!
bummer, that was going to be your big tyre test wasn’t it?
You could always come up to Fletcher Bay on the 15th instead.
Yeah, it was hard enough trying to scrub them in with all the wet weather, made for a few exciting trips to work and back. 15th is out for me sorry.
I need a bigger tank anyway to go that far, only get 140 km max out of a full load…
I am also tentatively interested, I’ll just require a few stars to align when we get closer to the date.
I’m very interested! This will be my first ride in NZ. I’m good for the labour day weekend with an overnight camp. Is the 22nd-24th still the target or is there another weekend that looks more likely?
I’m very interested! This will be my first ride in NZ. I’m good for the labour day weekend with an overnight camp. Is the 22nd-24th still the target or is there another weekend that looks more likely?
There seemed to more interest for the 15th Oct, so this is the now the official date I’m aiming for with a poor weather back-up of 29th.
Hopefully the 15th is also clear in your calendar.
OK great, I’m in for either weekend. I’ll watch out for the finer details closer to the time.
No surprises but the forecast for this coming weekend 15th – 16th is looking average to poor.
As I’m not a fan of riding and/or camping in the rain it will likely be pushed to the back-up date of 29th…but I’ll make that call on Wed.
This ride will happen, just not on a weekend forecast to rain. Which are plentiful currently!
It’s a tough call, but with a high chance of getting wet and 25knt southerlies I think I’ll cross fingers and toes that the 29th Oct is the one!
Good call, the weather report has been toying with us. I agree the wind is the deciding factor. Crossing fingers for the 29th.
Likewise, agree good call to wait until the weather is looking better. The upside of postponing is that in another couple of weeks it should be a bit warmer too!
Cheers guys. Yes, warmer, dryer and calmer would be nice. I’m really looking forward to this ride, so high hopes for the 29th.
took a sneak peak at the 10 day forecast and its looking good. No wind, 20degrees and 14% cloud cover.
I know the 10 day forecast isn’t the most reliable, but one can still hope.
Good to see your still keen. Hope is all we have at this early stage. The bike is primed and ready, fingers crossed.
Folks, get your permission slips/hall passes signed!
Weather is looking good, any firm plans for meeting anywhere? Thames?
So, to make this official…Rain or not it’s on 29th Oct.
Depart 11am from Thames BP on cnr of Banks St just after you cross the Kauaeranga River.
Ride up Tapu coroglen Rd then 309 rd, Lunch and a pint at the Coromandel Mussel Kitchen.
http://www.musselkitchen.co.nz/
Then on-wards and up-wards to Fletcher Bay Campsite via Kennedy Bay Rd, Tuaeteawa Rd, Port charles Rd, Port Jackson Rd and finally Fletcher Bay Rd.
Campsite is $16 per night. Pay by cash or on-line. No eftpos.
http://www.doc.govt.nz/fletchercampsite
See you there.
Tim
Great, I’m in. Anyone else leaving from Auckland?
I’ll be filling up (both me and the bike) and starting the trip from Autobahn cafe in Papakura at around 8:45 – 9:00am. Looks like a 1.5hr ride to Thames. If anyone wants to meet there, I’ve got the white F800GS with the Orange light cover – can’t miss it.
I,m still keen guna stay at the backpackers $26 a nite . It over looks the camp ground. I think you guys are guna like this ride especially after Coville the road becomes very scenic
Yes I,m going down from Auckland but going thru Clevedon down the coast never keen to do the main roads when I can avoid them
Good call Peter, I’ve booked a bunk as well. I,m riding up from Whakatane, anyone else travelling that way?
‘@Brainflex I live in Papamoa, so you will be practically passing my house. Call into mine and we’ll head from there? Will PM address if suits you.
I have a new tent, so I better test it out!
Checked the route on Google maps, looks like the same time via Clevedon and round the coast. Good call, looks more scenic too.
I’ll strap a tent to me bike and meet you all for lunch in Coromandel township where I estimate you’ll be there by 1 to 1.30pm.
Giancarlo, I’ll send a txt to your mobile so you can update me if there are any delays or changes of plan that may significantly alter what time you arrive at the Mussel Kitchen.
Good stuff. Looks like at least five of us.
Here’s my number incase anyone needs to contact, re running late or lost!
0212577677
Cheers Tim.
I will not be able to commit to anything but getting to fletchers bay . I will hopefully be bringing Bruce with me but he has some work to do in morning . Thought I would give you some estimated travel times as I think you have a full on Saturday planned . Thames to Fletchers is a solid 3 hour ride time Coroglen then back over the 309 will add an extra hour an Kennedy bay will add around 45 mins so add in bum stops scenery stops plus what ever else you guys get up to fairly big day
So, where are the pics and reports?
Well, the weather played ball and so the scene was set for our zig zag up the Coromandel.
Thanks guys for turning up and making this a throughly enjoyable ride. Great to meet some of the members of Adventure Riding NZ.
@Scott Livingston @giancarlo @Brainflex @Peter @bruce
The Coroglen and 309 had been graded so pretty loose in places but nonetheless a pleasure. After a perfectly placed pit stop at the Mussel Kitchen, a belly blessed with locally brewed ale and burger the size of a small windowless building it was off up Kennedy Bay and Tuateawa Rd’s ( there’s a real sense of isolation heading up here, supurb!)
Port Jackson and Fletcher Bay Rd’s cling to the coastline and are nothing short of stunning!
Tar twisties down the west coast were on the breakfast menu and did not disapoint. Photos from me are few but hopefully some of the other lads can add.
I gotta say it was a great weekend, good roads, good weather and good company.
Thanks Black Betty for organising the trip. Great riding and great company. The twisties from Colville to Coromandel was magnificent and great to open up the throttle after much gravel riding. For those thinking of doing this ride, watch out for the immensely strong magnetic ditch on the outside of a right hand hairpin on the 309!
I need to reduce the size of my pics…standby for more
Lucky last! Just adding a few more pictures for all to enjoy. Thanks.
Looks like it was a great ride. Huge Credit to @Black Betty for stepping up and organising it. It doesn’t take much to do and doesn’t have to be big and fancy.
If only 10% of the members of this site organised one ride per year there would be an event on every weekend in every region of the country.