Wellington - Auckland over two days

[R6_kid]

I'm riding a bike from Wellington to Auckland in just over a weeks time, and have two days to do so.

I will be staying in Paraparaumu for the night before heading back to Auckland, and I have up to two days to make the trip - assuming I find somewhere to stay for the night of the first day.

What route would you suggest so that the trip doesn't end up being too monotonous?

I wouldn't mind finishing up with SH22 before hitting the motorway back in to Auckland - and I'd rather stay to the West/Central part of the North Island on the way up.

[Katman]

You're always welcome to make Taupo an overnighter.

[short-circuit]

You're always welcome to make Taupo an overnighter.

Dirty old bastard

[aer0]

seeing as your looking to spend 2 days coming down, maybe go via taranaki? stay somewhere like new plymouth?

either that or go the other side, auckland-taupo-napier-welly ??

[Katman]

Dirty old bastard

I've seen the way that Gareth 'dresses'.

I should be the one who's worried.

[R6_kid]

seeing as your looking to spend 2 days coming down, maybe go via taranaki? stay somewhere like new plymouth?

either that or go the other side, auckland-taupo-napier-welly ??

Going the other way. I've ridden the East Coast a bit... never ridden out West Coast much though - so was thinking New Plymouth/Taranaki could be the go before back tracking inland to stay somewhere for hte night. What's an interesting route between Kapiti Coast and New Plymouth?

[Hailwood]

First day go up to New Plymouth via Opunake, round the mountain...bit boring to Wanganui but fun and a good ride after that.

Day 2 go via Mokau and Awakino Gorge to Te Kuiti and through to Hamiltron (city of the future) and onto Jafaland or otherwide out via Raglan is an option.

[R6_kid]

SH43 out of Stratford looks like fun... Is that the Forgotten Highway?

[Hailwood]

Indeed it is....great bit of road but do take it carefully through there. The speed indiation signs actually mean what they say in some cases!!!!!! You could do a round the mountain trip on the way up and come back to stay in Stratford then next day go via 43 to taumaranui then off SH4 to 8 mile junction and on through Te Kuiti still to avoid the boredom that is SH1

[Squiggles]

What root would you suggest so that the trip doesn't end up being too monotonous?

As many as possible.

[ynot slow]

Just a heads up in and around Taranaki if go this way,it is smack in the middle of calving time,hence the odd tired cocky who may not look as he exits the farm onto the road,and beware of cowshit in places.
Maybe do around the mountain and stay at NP(pm boob johnson for bed great place),head up to 8 mile junction then head inland on SH4 and home.Or tiki tour round the mountain and head out to Whanga pub for night and home,check the pub for a bed though,Forgotten Highway is tourist mecca lol and even during midweek can make the pub full up bed wise.

[rachprice]

So your only going to Paraparaumu not wellington??

[R6_kid]

I'm flying in to Wellington, picking the bike up in Lower Hutt, and staying the night in Paraparaumu.

Just thinking - I've done SH4 four times in the car... could be about time I did it on the

I'm leaning towards leaving SH43 a for another time (once I know the bike a bit better!) so might go Paraparaumu - Palmy - Fielding - Wanganui - SH4 - SH41 - SH32 - Pohipi Rd to Taupo. Stay the night then out to SH30 - SH39 - SH23 - Ohautira Rd - SH22 - home. That should leave me a bit of time on the first day to stop in and catchup with freinds/family in the Manawatu and not leave me running out of daylight.

[StoneY]

Going the other way. I've ridden the East Coast a bit... never ridden out West Coast much though - so was thinking New Plymouth/Taranaki could be the go before back tracking inland to stay somewhere for hte night. What's an interesting route between Kapiti Coast and New Plymouth?

West coast rides rock
Just head west at Hamilton and hug the coast- cant go wrong man :niceone:

[caseye]

Hey R6 trust the ol STONEY he knows about those roads, you'll love em.But anyway, why 2 days,? I hope it's only because you can afford the time off.1 say is enough.

[R6_kid]

The main reason is that I can afford the time off - I would do it in a day but I'm hoping to catchup with a few people I haven't seen in over six months so didn't want to be riding into the night on the return as the bike has a pretty average (poor) headlight despite being otherwise pretty top notch.

[R6_kid]

Ok... finally decided which way im gonna go.

Wednesday:
Paraparam - Levin - Aokautere - Paihiatua Track - SH2 - Dannevirke (to visit a friend)

Then from Dannevirke to Woodville - Saddle Road - Ashhurst - SH54 to Fielding (to visit my cousins) - Wanganui - SH4 - SH48 - SH47 to Turangi, at which point I'll decide depending on the time which way I go around the lake to Taupo to stay for the night.

On Thursday morning I'm going Poihipi Rd - SH32 - SH30 - Mangakino - Kihikihi - Te Awamutu - Paterangi Rd - Meadway Rd - SH39 - Whatawhata - SH23 - Ohautira - Sh22 - Pukekohe then SH1 back to Auckland.

Any pointers or warnings for any of the roads?

The weather forecast is looking pretty sweet for the next few days so fingers crossed that it holds!

[Elysium]

I took me about 6-7 hours to ride from Palmy to Auckland by going through the national park so I pretty much cut a stright line to Auckland.

When I rode through SH4 there was some parts of the road being worked on as they're imrpoving some of the tight corners and parts of the road towards Hamilton were bald and patchy (annoying in the rain) but this was months ago so hopefuly should be ok now.

[nosebleed]

I shot down to New Plymouth from AK on Friday

All I can say is SH3 Te Kuiti to New Plymouth ROCKS.
Found me a local early on, and we had blast.

Seriously after SH3 and SH 39 Otorohanga to Glen Murray you'll want to give 22 a miss.
22 is a goat track (thanks Scracha) and it'll spoil a great ride.

[R6_kid]

Cheers mate, I'm doing 5hrs riding each day. The first day is going to take me about 9-10hrs to get to Taupo due to stopping to catchup with people. I did a mission from Auckland - Fielding once, a mate and I left at about 5:30pm and arrived at 1am! Thank god for clear night skies!!!

Will keep that info about SH22 in mind - I'll look for an alternative route!

Already had one person PM me to join me for part of the ride, if anyone else is keen to come along for part of the journey send me a PM and I'll do my best to let you know where/when I'm going to be in your area!

[Gremlin]

Western side of Lake Taupo is much better than the eastern... depending on how much time you have... (western is longer)

[R6_kid]

Western side of Lake Taupo is much better than the eastern... depending on how much time you have... (western is longer)

Chur! I've done both in the past, but i think I've only gone around the Western side on a bike.

[R6_kid]

Paihiatua Track was mint. Weather is awesome. Just stopping in Dannevirke for breakfast with a friend then heading back to Ashurst at 11am.

Loving the bike and have been fortunate enough not to meet any of the local Manawatu constabulary so far! (except for my friends boyfriend)

[Disco Dan]

I'm riding a bike from Wellington to Auckland in just over a weeks time, and have two days to do so.

I will be staying in Paraparaumu for the night before heading back to Auckland, and I have up to two days to make the trip - assuming I find somewhere to stay for the night of the first day.

What route would you suggest so that the trip doesn't end up being too monotonous?

I wouldn't mind finishing up with SH22 before hitting the motorway back in to Auckland - and I'd rather stay to the West/Central part of the North Island on the way up.

Stop being such a noob, do what I did - do it in one go

[The Pastor]

sh43 is really awesome

[nosebleed]

I considered 43 on my trip, but I was concerned with ice at this time of year.

Being from Ak the only ice I have to deal with is in my Mojito's

[James Deuce]

Paihiatua Track was mint. Weather is awesome. Just stopping in Dannevirke for breakfast with a friend then heading back to Ashurst at 11am.

Loving the bike and have been fortunate enough not to meet any of the local Manawatu constabulary so far! (except for my friends boyfriend)

Good stuff mate, make sure those pantyhose stay on and you'll be all good.

[R6_kid]

Stop being such a noob, do what I did - do it in one go

:whocares: Lol, talk yourself up mate. I could have done it in a day but it wouldn't have been as enjoyable. I had people to visit on the way back - people that wanted to see me. I guess you don't know what the feels like :Pokey:


sh43 is really awesome

I had SH4 to myself. I did 96km without having a car going the same way as me :yes:


Good stuff mate, make sure those pantyhose stay on and you'll be all good.

Haha, one of them got a tear in it, gonna take them off - the airbox will arrive soon.


I didn't end up doing my 'epic' journey out of Taupo, instead went across to Rotorua and rode to Hamilton with cheshirecat, stopped for lunch, then we shot out along SH23, turned up towards Waingaro then took SH22 and it wasn't as bad as people had made out, but then I am used to riding on shite roads anyway.

[James Deuce]

Sweet. Good omens abound. I'm not surprised your panties ripped.

[Gremlin]

I had SH4 to myself. I did 96km without having a car going the same way as me :yes:
Now you need to go see the South Island... they have the same for oncoming cars as well...

Makes you realise how useful a reliable vehicle is tho :crazy:

[gijoe1313]

Now you need to go see the South Island... they have the same for oncoming cars as well...

Makes you realise how useful a reliable vehicle is tho :crazy:

You are breaking your promise to all the Souf islanders who told you not to blab on about that! :oi-grr:

And in Gremlin's case, making sure there are servos at the end of each jaunt!

[R6_kid]

Haha, the South Island is very appealing. I've sailed around in Marlborough Sounds and been in the back of a bus through some of the roads in the area when I was at Outward Bound. Also done CHCH - Twizel, so I know what the scenery is like, and what the roads can be like when the engineers have had their thinking caps on!

Unfortuntely it looks like I won't be making it down there for atleast a year... need to save my pennies to make it happen, but with flying school on the cards for next year the trip may have to wait even longer.

[kevfromcoro]

Stop being such a noob, do what I did - do it in one go

think you did it twice didntya