Coromandel loop.

[Kiwifruit]

The Coromandel Loop is one my favorite rides that we can do in a day from home.
So I watched half the Wales/All Blacks game and set off out with the management on the back. Went up the Firth of Thames side as that puts you on the waters edge side which I think is much nicer. We went hoping that the Pohutukawa trees would be in flower. A few were but probably a couple of weeks too early. They are referred to as the New Zealand Christmas Tree here. They have bright red flowers and are usually putting on a good show around Christmas time.
Have to say that a Sunday is not the ideal day for doing this ride as every fool towing a boat, trailer or caravan seems to be on the road. Even more so as they cart stuff to places all over the Peninsula leading up to the holiday/festive season.
Anyway, got to Coromandel Township, had a coffee and a bite to eat in a little park. Chatted to some folks on a business trip to NZ from Canada...Telling me he has a bike back home. Put it in cruise control and away you go for the day. To get some idea of how flat and straight the place he lives is he said it would take 3 days before you lost your dog. Nice people.
Headed off again, this time over the hill from Coromandel to Whitianga. Guess its about 45kms of mostly twisting roads. Poor thing on the back was on the verge of a sense of humour failure and was feeling a bit sick when we stopped at the little wharf where the ferry runs back and forth to the Cooks Beach side of the estuary. Old fatso that holds the handlebars couldn't resist a very small ice cream before setting off for Whangamata.
Just a comfort stop and a stretch there. Top up with fuel and off again. This time heading for Waihi.
Good run to there, by now its about 4.30 and parts of both of us are starting to get a bit weary. Decided not to stop anymore, but to press on for home.
In the gate at around 5.30, both a bit slow to get off the bike by now.
We left at 9.00am and when asked how far we had been today the speedo said 398.1 kms......no wonder the poor wifey was a bit tired, especially around the seat contact area. Though to her credit she did say oh well we haven't been for a decent ride for a while, I'll be better next time....bless her. 
Weather was overcast but dry all day which was quite pleasant.
Here's a couple of snaps taken on our day out..... a top day !!

[Speedy1959]

That looks like my sort of ride..
Nice to put a face to the name.. I am assuming that is you KF ?(Plus Wife)

[KiwiCol]

Looks a cracker ride Col.  I can imagine the frustration on being in a stream of traffic with nice hills & corners like those. 

Where is the pic of that slipway taken? Looks a great setup with a wide concrete area & a long jetty.

[Kiwifruit]

Whitianga Col. Importantly for you, the fishing  club.
We were commenting on the difference a month will make. ....queue's and chaos !!

[Sweaty]

Looks like a great day out KF & well done to the missus 

Just be careful when you are playing with strange kids near the water next time, as it looks like you are very close to falling in (see last photo of original post)   

[Kiwifruit]

1 to you Sweaty........ lol


Correct Speedy.

[Bov]

Did u stop off at hot water beach

[Kiwifruit]

No Bov. Thats a way off the main drag, the beaches up there are worth a day on their own. Meaning i'd leave home to go there and not go to Coromandel Township first.
Coromandel Peninsular is to be kept away from over xmas and school holidays....... which preceedes the motorhome season !!
It is a lovely area though. Might go look again at the trees before xmas if time permits.

[Red Biker]

Looks beautiful KF!
To have that kind of country within a days ride must be awesome!

ps
You look older than I imagined 

[Kiwifruit]

We are pretty spoilt. Have taken some Go-Pro footage but my computer just cannot make it happen. Too slow im told. Bit like me......im told.


Thank you for the parting comment Red..... have made a note of that !!   lol.

[Kiwifruit]

Pleased we went for our ride before Christmas. King tides and storm surge causing some trouble around the place. This is on the Thames Coast Road and the Papa Aroha motorcamp. (news pics) Lots of flooding and high winds around at the moment.