Showing posts with label North Island Cycle Touring. Show all posts
Showing posts with label North Island Cycle Touring. Show all posts

May 08, 2014

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Cycle Touring Routes Out of Auckland

Route South to Coromandel and Tauranga

Cycling out of Auckland it is not straightforward because of the topography and the motorway system. 

Option A - Through Clevedon and the Firth of Thames Coast


This is one option of riding out of Auckland if you intend to travel down the East coast of the North Island south towards Coromandel and Tauranga. It is recommended because it is mainly on quiet rural although hilly roads. It includes an attractive stretch down the Firth of Thames coastline.
You could also take the ferry to Pine Harbour which would avoid the city traffic and you would also get a look at the Hauraki Gulf which is well worth seeing. Refer my separate post on this option.
You start by heading west from the city centre along Tamaki Drive to St Heliers. This is a busy road so you need to take care on this section.
From St Heliers you ride to Ormiston Road taking the following route:

St Heliers to Sandstone Road


From Ormiston Road you then ride up a steep hill which goes then straight into Sandstone Road. At the foot of the hill in Sandstone turn right into Whitford Park Road and then travel along this road until you reach Brookby Road where you turn right. You then turn left at Twilight Road which is a bush clad hill on a windy road and at the end you turn right and you are in Clevedon.

The ride from Clevedon is again reasonably hilly on the way to Kawakawa Bay. From Kawakawa you go up a steep climb before making your way over to the Firth of Thames coastline. There is then an enjoyable ride down the mostly deserted coastline road. The Firth of Thames is an important feeding ground for shorebirds and waders some of whom travel from far away as Siberia and Alaska.


Clevedon to Thames

Option B - By Train to Papakura

Another option is to the train from Auckland to Papakura and to commence your ride from there. This has the advantage that get out of Auckland quickly and miss the city traffic and traffic lights.

Alternative Route out of Auckland

April 28, 2014

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New Zealand Cycle Touring Route - Mangakino to National Park

This cycling route takes you through the King Country which is sparsely populated hilly and a lot of it is covered with native bush. Because it is isolated there are lots of quiet shingle roads to ride on as you head south.

The ride starts on Mangakino and the first town you reach is Bennydale which is a small town 18 kilometres away. Bennydale used to have a coal mine many years ago and is one of the few towns in the King Country that has an English name. 

An option at this point is head to Blackfern Lodge which is located 78 kilometres away. It is situated at the top of a steep hill in an isolated forest valley area on the Ongarue Stream Road alongside the Ongarue river.

Quiet Roads

Blackfern Lodge

Ongarue

This part of the ride can be left out as you have to retrace your steps from the Lodge but it is well worth a visit to experience the isolation and splendour of the King Country.

You then travel on the Ongarue back road to Taumarunui  onto National Park through Hikumutu which is a further 96 Kilometres. Ongarue is a small rural settlement on the west bank of the Onagarue and is 24 kilometres north of Tauramanui. Tauramanui (population 6,000) is where the Whanganui and Onagarue rivers meet.

It is then 47 kilometres from Tauramanui to National Park starting on Hikumutu Road rather than using the main state highway. On the main highway there is a short steep climb as you ride towards National Park town and Tongario National Park which includes Mount Ruapehu. (2,797m).


April 15, 2014

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New Zealand Cycle Touring Route - Around Lake Rotorua

It is 42.2 kilometers around Lake Rotorua and I always do it clockwise because the best part of the ride is down the west side of the lake. The road around the lake goes through Ngongotaha.

Cycling around Lake Rotorua 
A nice day for a ride around the lake
The highlight is the Hamurama Springs on the western side just before it heads around the lake.
There are some hills after the springs but they are not to bad. When you arrive back in Rotorua there may be time to do it again. If you stay in Rotorua you can always sit in a hot pool to celebrate a great day on the road.

Lake Rotorua

Redwood Forest Rotorua
Mt Biking Rotorua - Whakarewarewa Forest

Hamurana Springs - A great place to stop on the bridge going around Lake Rotorua

When in Rotorua you should experience the Redwood Forest Mountain Bike Park which is located in the Whakarewarewa Forest which is close to the city centre. It has numerous well maintained bike trails with great views of the area and you can spend a day in here and only see a fraction of it.

Lake Rotokakahi (Green Lake)

Lake Rotokakahi (Green Lake)


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New Zealand Cycle Touring Route - Raetihi to Whanganui

This cycle ride starts in Raetihi and goes down the Whanganui river to Whanganui and is attractive because it is of the main roads and runs alongside the Whanganui river.
It is 29.4 kilometres from Raetihi to Pipiriki,which is on the river, and then it is 77 kilometres from Pipiriki to Whanganui going most of the way alongside the river. The road is mostly gravel and passes through historic settlements including Jerusalem and Ranana.



Narrow but not a lot of traffic

Whanganui River

Whanganui River

New Zealand Cycle Touring Route - Hunterville to Waiouru

Hunterville is a small town in the Rangitikei district in the centre of the North Island of New Zealand. You can cycle on the main highway from Hunterville to Waiouru which is a distance of 75.5 kilometers but there is an alternative route which has little traffic and is very scenic. This route however includes a significant climb and is on a gravel road and is 81.1 kilometers long. The gravel road can at times be difficult to negotiate.

To take this route travel on Ongo road west out of Hunterville which leads onto Turakina Valley Road and when you reach the top turn right into the main highway into Waiouru.







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New Zealand Cycle Touring Route - The Coromandel Peninsula

The Coromandel peninsular is an attractive place to cycle with some provisos. The road is narrow and hugs the coast and is very hilly and not the place to be on a holiday weekend on a bike because of the traffic. There are also timber trucks to worry about. However if you plan your ride carefully outside of the holidays it can be a very rewarding ride with great beaches. The Coromandel Peninsula can easily be added to the East Coast ride to Tauranga instead of heading south via the Hauraki rail trail from Paeroa.



From Coromandel to Whangamata is 75.5 kilometers that passes through the seaside towns of Whitianga, Pauanui and Tairua where there is accommodation in these towns provided it is not in the peak of the holiday season.

It is then a ride of 29.9 kilometers to Waihi and this road also includes some reasonable climbs.
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New Zealand Cycle Touring Route - Waiheke Island

Waiheke Island is a good destination for a cycle touring because it includes fantastic beaches and wineries and there is a camping ground where you can enjoy the beach right at your doorstep.

Waiheke Island is in the Hauraki Gulf in New Zealand and is about 17.7km from Auckland City by ferry and is hilly but has many scenic beaches that are well worth visiting.My favourite seen above and you should head here to start with.
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New Zealand Cycle Touring Route - Horeke to Cape Reinga


This is a cycle ride of 173 kilometres  from Horeke a small settlement on the Hokianga harbour to Cape Reinga which is the northern tip of New Zealand where the Tasman sea and Pacific oceans meet.

 Horeke is a small settlement on the Hokianga harour that has a pub and that is about all. We started in Horeke instead of starting in Auckland to miss out the main highway north which in parts is too busy to be either safe or enjoyable.  We stayed in the Horeke pub which we enjoyed although it is definitely not on the list of places that tourists stay which is part of its attraction.


Cape Reinga



The road from Horeke goes on the state highway up to Kaitaia which is about 62 kilometres away and this includes a major climb up the Mangamukas which is a reasonable challenge. As this is the main highway care has to be taken with the traffic although it was not excessive on  the day we did it.
Hokianga Harbour

The ride from Kaitaia to Cape Reinga is 111 kilometres on the main highway but it is not as busy because there are no  larger towns beyond Kaitaia before you reach the cape. There are small settlements at Houhora and Waitaki landing where there is limited accommodation.

Mangamuka Summit

On the return journey to Horeke you can go an an alternative route which is more interesting and has a lower traffic volume. From Kaitaia ride to Broadwood and then to Kokukohu where there is a pub and a store. From Kaitaia to Kohukohu is 61.3 kilometres. You then catch the ferry to Rawene which is on the other side of the Hokianga Harbour and it is then a 41.1 kilometre journey back to Horeke.

Houhora

Kohukohe

Rawene