Chateau to Plateau (25 January)

**pritch** · 1st January 2009, 11:54

Some time ago Nadroj posted info about the Chateau to Plateau ride.
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...ad.php?t=84868

The way that the forums are organised this event appears under the heading "Taranaki" and thus may be overlooked by many. This event is worthy of consideration by riders from further afield than Taranaki so I'm posting it here as well, in the interests of wider dissemination.

The ride commences at The Chateau Tongariro car park and finishes at the Stratford Plateau on Mt Egmont after passing along SH43 "The Forgotten World Highway". Petrol will be available at Whangamomona - cash only, there is no gas station there.

Drinks and prizegiving in Stratford, and almost everybody won a prize last year...

People who like twisties and are looking for a ride in January could do a lot worse than considering this.

Note to mods, please be nice

**Hitcher** · 1st January 2009, 12:40

That could be a great ride for a Shiver...

**Gareth51** · 1st January 2009, 21:50

All going well I'll ride up on Saturday and stay at National Park

**pritch** · 2nd January 2009, 10:50

Originally Posted by Hitcher

That could be a great ride for a Shiver...

SH43 is a great ride on pretty much anything. I used to enjoy it slightly more on the Hornet than the VFR due to the fact that the road is very tight in places and the Hornet was better suited to that sort of thing.

A bike like the Shiver should be close to perfect.

Mrs Hitcher might fancy a night at the Chateau?

**Hitcher** · 2nd January 2009, 15:06

Hmmm. Two weeks to get it run in? Sounds do-able...

**pritch** · 2nd January 2009, 15:18

Originally Posted by Hitcher

Hmmm. Two weeks to get it run in? Sounds do-able...

Actually riding a bike either way along 43 sounds like good running in. Up and down through the gears all the way... No droning along at a constant speed anywhere.

**tri boy** · 2nd January 2009, 15:23

Is this the Chateau ride marked down for the 25th of Jan? (Kiwi Rider Mag)
Might be able to make it to that one.

Edit> checked the 25th on the Calender thread. Doh!

**pritch** · 2nd January 2009, 15:56

Last time I rode up 43 to get to the start at the Chateau, I thought it might be nice to know what state the road was in. That turned out to be a good move...

As of now I'm still undecided about this time. That Saturday is Whangamomona Republic Day I think. They declare themselves independent, elect a leader, require passports* to enter and generally provide a variety of entertainment (or excuses to get pissed).

For anyone travelling up from the South this could be an option.

* Your NZ passport won't be required. They'll sell you one of theirs no doubt