Organisers and Leaders: Marlene and Janette
Cyclists: Janette Lloyd, Marlene Milham, Sue Woolnough, Pat Shaw, Mike Bradbury, Owen Sprosen, Christine Lawson, Bill Pepler, Catherine Doyle, Warrick Lord, Peter Arnold, Rosmary Lord, Pieter Holl, Marianne McNiel, Wendy Clow, Bill Clow, Margaret Law, Reg Churton, Kay Wilcock, Louise Sinclair, Andrew Sinclair, Janice Fullan, Maria Jackson, Chris Pyke, Karyn Baker and Christine Taylor [Janette’s friends]
Day One – 50km
Author: Kay
Walking on glorious Whangamata Beach at the start of the day, you could be forgiven for wondering why you would ever be anywhere else!
Certainly not about to tackle 28 kms of gravel on forestry roads, including 600 m of climbing, and a total of 50 km cycling, planned by our hard working organisers.
Our enthusiastic group of 20+ cyclists assembled at the front of the camping ground to cycle the 6 kms to the Onemana turn off on the main road.
That portion of SH 25 became quite familiar over the next few days, and looking up to the hills and the distinctive jagged Coromandel skyline, became just as much a part of our narrative as the stunning coast line.
We were then literally jolted out of our complacency ,as we turned off the Onemana road onto Peninsula Road, 7 km of massive gravel and severe undulations, to the Peninsula Lookout with wonderful views back to Whangamata.
After a short bush walk and lots of friendly piwakawaka we cycled back to the Onemana Road.
To the delight of those on muscle bikes, the return trip was a lot less awful as it tended downhill.
We then cruised down into Onemana for refreshments at the cafe.
Don’t you love tarmac!
Suitably refreshed we biked back up the hill, before turning right onto the Pokohino Forestry road and following it out to the end.
This gravel was less of a killer, and at the forestry skid sites we had stunning vistas over the Wharekawa River snaking out to the sea at Oputere,and a background of the ranges.
The 20 minute scramble down to Pokohino Beach was well worth it.
It is a lovely little secluded cove watched over by Tuhua/ Mayor Island where we had our lunch, before re-tracing our steps back up the hill and cycling back to Whangamata.
Dinner was at the Ocean Sports Club,with very friendly locals making us feel welcome.
The day was a terrific combination of bush walking and cycling, and this winning combo was repeated over the trip
Day Two – Whangamata via the waterfront & estuary to Wentworth Falls & Pa Road Lookout – 40km, 15km on gravel, with 400m climbing
Author: Christine
Twenty-two riders set off from the camp ground at 9am and headed along the scenic waterfront and estuary to get onto country roads to Wentworth Campsite where we left our bikes and did a 1½ hr return walk to the falls, we had our morning tea at the lookout over the spectacular cascading waterfalls and amazing bush. Many of us stopped at a roadside stall to buy persimmon. Very reasonable and yummy.
We returned to Whangamata and had lunch on the lawn outside the Ocean Sports Club by the wharf. Beautiful weather and a lovely spot to relax and enjoy our lunch. After lunch we rode to the lookout up Pa & Forestry Road, a very steep gravel road. It was quite a challenge but worthwhile to see the view at the top overlooking Whangamata.
We returned to Whangamata and had lunch on the lawn outside the Ocean Sports Club by the wharf. Beautiful weather and a lovely spot to relax and enjoy our lunch. After lunch we rode to the lookout up Pa & Forestry Road, a very steep gravel road. It was quite a challenge but worthwhile to see the view at the top overlooking Whangamata.
That evening at 6pm many of us met at Whangamata Club for dinner. A beautiful sunset. A challenging day but an enjoyable one. Thanks Janette, Reg & Marlene.
Day Three – 68km
Author: Marianne
Our numbers had expanded for Sun ride. We cycled further than previously on the main road, before turning off toward Opoutere.
The gate into Tainui Forest was open, but we stopped anyway. Reg informed us that once we were over the hill we could see it would all be flat. Yeah, right.
There were many forestry roads and Janette had brought in local reinforcements to direct at each intersection. The forest road conditions varied from soft and squishy, through well formed gravel, to huge base course rocks.
Out of the forest, a short downhill took us to the cycle trail into Pauanui. This track had beautiful views out over the Tainui River estuary. We took a quick ride to the coast, then back to the bakery/ cafe.
The return trip took us up the main road to the forest entrance, and through alternative forest roads. Once back in Opoutere some of the group took a walking track to a beautiful long beach. Return to camp was at our own pace.
Strava recorded 68km and 799m elevation gain .
Day Four:
Leader: Pieter
Author: Wendy
Today’s ride was organised by Pieter Holl. We meet at the Hikuai hall at 9 am in another glorious sunny day, but nippy.
We rode along the road following the river, which had lovely reflections of the trees above. We stopped at the Broken hills camp ground to have a look before starting our walk to an old battery site.
Our return ride included morning tea stop at Pieters place up a step 1 km drive, but the views were worth it. Just as we were getting cosy in the sun and views, we were rounded up and back on bikes. Some of the group headed home while the rest of us cycled to Pauanui along the new cycle path. A ride around the water ways and foreshore before stopping for lunch.
Our sunny day fast disappearing, as we returned to our vehicles at Hikuai and for some it was homeward bound but a few of us returned to Whangamata, to reminisce on 4 great days of riding and walking.
Thanks Janette, Reg, Pieter and Marlene.
