Auckland Cycle Touring Association

 

 

Taranaki Tunnel Tour

November, 2007

 

Whangamomona - New Plymouth

Thursday 8th

 

 

 

Getting ready to leave Whangamomona

 

 

 

 

 

 

There is a variety of signs along the road welcoming strangers to
the Republic of Whangamomona.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rest stop at the top of the Whangamomona Saddle -

or should that be "Le Col Du Whangamomona"?

Photo: Margaret

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is the way Ed saw it.

Photo: Ed

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is the top of the Pohokura Saddle - not such a challenging climb
(especially as it was my turn to do the driving  :-)  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The very smooth Matau Road Tunnel.
This is one of the longer tunnels we encountered.

Photo: Ed

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Getting ready to go in to the dark.
The tunnel had a reasonable downgrade so it was easy just to coast through.

Photo: Margaret

 

 

 

 

 

We made it!

Photo: Margaret

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Looking back to the southern end.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

....and the northern portal,
where we had morning tea.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Next thing we knew it was lunch time at Purangi.

Photo: Ed

 

 

 

 

 

Photo: Margaret

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We knew it was Purangi, 'cos the orchard sign said it was.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bet this looks gorgeous in the autumn.

Photo: Margaret

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our last tunnel for the day on Otaraoa Road.

Photo: Margaret

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There's plenty of room for the Rosa,
but it looks like a few high loads have scraped the sides.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This tunnel tricked us : the road kept on climbing after we had gone through.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The McKee oil field out the back of Waitara.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photos : John McK unless otherwise credited.