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Lunch and a dip in the tide, before we begin
the traverse over the headland to Stony Bay,
passing intrepid travellers heading the other
way. One happy Frenchmen pushing a fully
laden cycle resplendent with even a surfboard
attached… “Joie de vivre!”
Views on every turn – nothing but spectacular.
Looking out over glistening water to the Barriers
and beyond. A stunning panorama, that must
be experienced whether by foot or bike.
Zooming down the final kms through beautiful
native bush, whooping and yahooing as we roll
into Stony Bay, what a blast! A few scratches
and bruises with stories to go with them.
“$5?? … Not possible!” Bruce the Aussie
exudes standing on the of the bay. “The cost of
a night’s camping pitch, with this view!!”
Refreshed and watered, we complete the
cycle back to Colville. There’s a decent few
hills along the way to keep us honest and get
our last bits of energy before we glide back to
where we started.
GENEROUS LOCALS TO THE RESCUE
Not without a little drama – while all our intrepid
riders have managed to avoid it – the support
van has attracted two punctures!! “Just up
the road on the left is the White Star Service
Centre, they will sort you out”, states the super
friendly lady at the Colville Store, who did open
just for us weary riders to get some post ride
snacks and…refreshments.
And Karl, capable owner of the service centre,
well and truly did sort the punctures, even
putting his tea in the oven to devour at a later
date. Karl will always hold a place as a legend
in our minds!
Bit late now, so to the humming Star and
Garter for a beer and burger, even managing
to catch the end of the Rugby. Neil’s on the
phone delaying his conference calls to the rest
of the world – “they can wait...these cycling
adventures take precedent!!”
The Coromandel – such an eclectic region. Old
and new, historical, friendly, welcoming.
Sleepily, we arrive back at Whangamata in the
small hours with big smiles on our faces.
For more info about upcoming trips, phone or see
The Northern Coromandel Cycle Loop…
The brief, as usual, was simple. Meet at Pedal
and Paddle in Whangamata, ready to go by
7am. As the sun peaks over the horizon, two
vehicles are fully loaded with adventure riders
and cycles, including a couple of token Aussies
keen to see some classic Coromandel scenery.
Everyone was primed for an epic ride around
the stunning northern loop.
On the road and a quick stop at the legendary
Two Tides Bakery in Tairua for a coffee and
their traditional ‘Bacon and Egg’ pie that’ll see
us through the day…Superb!!
While driving The 309 Road, a voice is heard
from the back of the van. “Be ready for Stu
the Pig Man and his herd of pigs that live in
the middle of the road”, Matt wisely advised.
Cameras at the ready, it’s a random but just so
NZ type of scene. “Unbelievable!!”, chirp the
Aussies in the group.
Through the ‘living time capsule’ that is
Coromandel Town, we reach Colville and its
iconic local store. Top up of supplies, jet planes
and jelly beans, we gear up, park the vans, hit
the bikes and begin the journey.
LET THE BIKES BEGIN
We head north, up the coast road with a few
short climbs to wake up the muscles. Past the
imposing Moehau Peaks – with a quick stop
at the Paritu Stone Wharves, the quarry that
supplied the stone for construction of Auckland
and Wellington.
Crest the hills, breathlessly, to a mind-blowing
view stretching across to Little and Great
Barrier Islands – pristine waters teaming with
schooling fish. Blast downhill to Fletcher Bay,
the northern tip of the peninsula. Awesome!!
Accommodation open 7 days • Cafe, Restaurant & Bar open Tuesday to Sunday
07 866 6614 • 1299 Port Charles Road • Coromandel
•
SPA POOLS • NATURAL SWIMMING HOLE
WEDDINGS & FUNCTIONS
MASSAGE THERAPIST (By appointment only)
Outdoor Seating
Pizzas
Burgers
Steaks
Nachos
Fish & Chips
& lots more
Stony Bay Craft Beer
brewed on site
WITH CHRIS COOMBE
from Pedal & Paddle
26 COROMANDEL LIFE LATE SPRING / HOLIDAY 2018