First ride of 2010 - Te Anga and back.

[Motu]

I had planned a longer ride,by 200km,but 300km was all I had time for.It's hard to get our roads in a photo,they are so twisty that taking a photo up or down the road you see nothing.300km - 3,000 corners.I cross over highways on Otorohaea Trig Rd...up and over in the gravel.This is quite an open stretch,so was able to capture where I had been in the mirror.



From Raglan to Kawhia the road goes around Aotea Habour,first is on the coast road,then through the hills,lots of slips in here...gravel again.





Next harbour is Kawhia,I go around the lower part of the harbour,up and into these strange rocks.



This is the south end of the harbour,there is a road along that coast,corners,corners,corners.



I came across a couple of stock movements,the first mob were going my way so trickled through them in 1st gear.This lot balked at the bike,they are not coming forward.The Maori boys in the pickup can't move,so the woman on the quad waved me forward,and they ran to their right around me.Silly bloody things.Lambs off for their first shearing.



Te Anga,then turn around and come back the same roads.A great way to start 2010.

[Motu]

What a slack site to post photos on....I won't try that again...pity.

Sorry for the grumpyness....took a lot of work,but got them all on finally.

[darrylri]

Motu, you live in a wonderful spot!  I was lucky enough to visit your fair islands in 2001 and definitely want to come back.  You're right, it's difficult to get more than a couple twisties into a photo:

[msbuck]

Great pictures Moto!  Looks like you had perfect weather for an enjoyable ride.  Thanks for taking the time and effort to post them.   That's a beautiful area.

[Motu]

Motu, you live in a wonderful spot!  I was lucky enough to visit your fair islands in 2001 and definitely want to come back.  You're right, it's difficult to get more than a couple twisties into a photo:

Looks like the Coromandel coast down by Thames - I did the Coro Loop a couple of times late 2009,and later this summer hope to get right up the top and do the gravel roads,when the holiday crowds have gone.

Tourists all go to the South Island,as they should because the scenery is breathtaking and there is lots of space.But the North Island is overlooked,apart from the touristy thermal areas.As a motorcyclist the North Island roads are more fun....there are more of them,and they have more corners.The West Waikato roads I like to ride are the best (that's why the WRC go there)....but other areas are almost as good...sometimes better.

[suecanada]

Your beautiful pictures just confirm what a beautiful country New Zealand is! I thank you ever so much for taking the time, however painful, for posting them!!

[Melena]

Looks like you had a very nice ride Motu.  Nice pictures!  That's probably the only way I'll ever see New Zealand, so you know they are appreciated.  What a beautiful place.  Nice to see your bike there in that scenery too!   8-)