Cycling in Coromandel: Day 4, 2nd January: Coromandel - Port Jackson
Tuesday 2nd January, Day 4: Coromandel – Port Jackson take #2– 53 km
The day began early at 6.30 am so that we could get packed before the rain which was threatened for 8.00 am. We needed to return the rental so took a stroll downtown and the chance for our last real coffee for several days, so that we rode out of town just after 9.00 am.
The run through to Colville seemed much easier than 2 days ago, although I still got off for the steep stretch 50 m before the top of the third hill. Lovely coastal scenery, seeing it at high tide this time, so it looked more attractive.
Northern Coromandel had a power cut that was affecting Colville when we passed through so we settled for plunger coffee at the Café while Ross topped up his e-bike battery. Colville Bay looked like low tide, with wonderful patterns etched on the sand. 5 km later, and it’s back to gravel road which made Ross very cautious about his new wheel axle and check it regularly every km or so. Even so, we made steady progress. About 12.30 it rained quite heavily for just long enough for us to put coats on and then get much too warm.
This road is known for the spectacular coastal pohutakawas so we stopped several times to photograph their wonderful shapes. Shortly after mid-day an enforced stop was required so that Ross could mend a puncture.
The stop made us think about lunch, so we found the next spot with good shade to eat our sandwiches. Somehow we cycled right on by the place where we sat and waited for Grant from the AA to pick us up without recognising it. We knew when we were in new territory that we had not traversed before. Fantail Reserve was a delight with a campsite in a narrow ravine running up the hillside and wonderful tall pohutakawas on the beach.
From Fantail Reserve the road begins to climb and climb and climb. I was off at least 3 times when the road was too steep with a long steady incline towards the top of at least 1 km in very hot sunshine. We were rewarded by a great view down to Port Jackson and a simple run down hill to the campsite. I too, had a slow puncture, but it was a slow one, so Ross staved off fixing it by pumping the tyre a couple of times. It was only 7 km from Fantail Bay to Port Jackson, but what a challenging 7 km!
Frederick, the helpful Ranger at Port Jackson, allowed us to swap the nights we had booked at Fletchers Bay for nights at Port Jackson. He showed us to a splendid beach front campsite. Even Ross was tempted into the water for a swim. Other campers were very friendly and dropped by for a chat. There was a small camp kitchen with power sockets where we could charge the e-bike battery and our phones. It was a delight to get into bed with the bay before us and the sound of waves rolling in – surely one of the worlds best campsites ever.
