Forgotten Highway. Which way?

[Highlander]

OK, sounds silly I know, but some roads just lend themselves better to be ridden one way than the other.

I'm planning on doing the Whangamomona thing because I have been slack and yet to get there. Will most likely be doing it two up.

Which way does the general concenus recommend Taumaranui - Stratford or Stratford - Taumaranui?

[Genie]

OK, sounds silly I know, but some roads just lend themselves better to be ridden one way than the other.

I'm planning on doing the Whangamomona thing because I have been slack and yet to get there. Will most likely be doing it two up.

Which way does the general concenus recommend Taumaranui - Stratford or Stratford - Taumaranui?

Both. so I've heard)

[Highlander]

Both. so I've heard)

Had thought about Tauranga - Whangamomona for lunch at the pub, then back the same way (well opposite way but along the same route) but I don't think my pillion would be best pleased with that effort.

[FJRider]

Both. so I've heard)

+ one ... only one way to make sure ... :yes:

[cs363]

It's a good ride in either direction. What alternate route are you thinking of to appease your pillion?

[Gremlin]

Both. Stop in Whangamomona for a feed too. Nice fooooood

[Highlander]

It's a good ride in either direction. What alternate route are you thinking of to appease your pillion?

Debating a round trip with a night either at Whangamomona or Stratford or New Plymouth.

Thinking from Tauranga down the Western side of Taupo, Taumaranui, Whangamomona, Stratford, New Plymouth, Awakino, Otorahanga, Te Awamutu Tauranga.

Just asking if anyone has noted it being better clockwise or anticlockwise.

Google maps makes it somewhere in the order of 750 km circuit, I'd be keen on a day trip with lunch at the pub, but probably a bit much for the pillion. Perhaps I should do it solo first for a Recce.....

[Blackbird]

I did it in the car a few months ago, mainly because I was taking the family to Wearable Arts in Wellington. However, it was great in the 4x4 because I could explore some of the muddy side roads too. Geoff and Penny Taylor at the Whangamomona pub are awesome. We stayed the night and it was fantastic. Great food and local beer too.

If you want to see some photos from the trip: http://geoffjames.blogspot.com/2010/10/road-trip-forgotten-world-highway-and.html

[tri boy]

Personally I like Tauramanui-Stratford. Saving the saddles till last.Tauranga-Stratford-Awakino-Otro- Home is a good day ride.
Or goTau- Statford-Wanga's-Parapara-..................... over two days.MHO

[That looks like fun]

Tamaranui to Stratford :niceone: You get the views of Mt Egmont (thats Mt Taranaki to you young fellas). :msn-wink: Stop at the Te Hora Saddle and you can look across to Ruapehu. Don't just go to Whanga and back, for roadies one of the best parts of the ride is the road from Whanga to Stratford. :Police: Plenty of places to kip for the night, Mokau, Awakino etc.
Unless your on a mission, stop and soak it in :niceone:

[cs363]

Thinking from Tauranga down the Western side of Taupo, Taumaranui, Whangamomona, Stratford, New Plymouth, Awakino, Otorahanga, Te Awamutu Tauranga.

The order you have them in would make for a good ride, especially on a day trip - but if your pillion's not up to that kind of distance then a stop at Whangamomona or New Plymouth (or in between) would make sense. The choice of place would probably depend on what your expectations are i.e. restaurants/night life etc in NP, or a quieter cosy night somewhere smaller.
If it was me I'd probably opt for the pub at Whanga, especially knowing your bike will have secure parking as well.

[Highlander]

The order you have them in would make for a good ride, especially on a day trip - but if your pillion's not up to that kind of distance then a stop at Whangamomona or New Plymouth (or in between) would make sense. The choice of place would probably depend on what your expectations are i.e. restaurants/night life etc in NP, or a quieter cosy night somewhere smaller.
If it was me I'd probably opt for the pub at Whanga, especially knowing your bike will have secure parking as well.

Thanks all.

A night at the Whanga pub is the preferred option. :niceone:

Ideally we would be taking too bikes, but some moron (it may have been me :weird:) let slip that there was a couple of km yet to be sealed and that kind put her off riding it.

[ynot slow]

An idea for accomodation is how about stopping in Stratford at the Mountain House on Mt Egmont,sure Whanga is a great overnighter,but the views on Egmont are awesome on a fine day.Off hand about $120ish dinner,bed,brekky at Whanga p/p.

Went from Putararu to Stratford on 30th Dec,did western access etc,was hot as hell,and the pub was a welcome rest stop,although this time they get a few trampers staying,so check if wanting to stay,takes about an hour to Stratford with photo stops,not nice if running late and rushing to find a bed,the photo stops take time.

Or a night at New Plymouth and nice cruise to Mokau for whitebait fritters(and bacon from butcher opposite)for brekky.

[davebullet]

I'm trying to remember which way I did it last time, but alas, I've forgotten.

[cs363]

Thanks all.

A night at the Whanga pub is the preferred option. :niceone:

Ideally we would be taking too bikes, but some moron (it may have been me :weird:) let slip that there was a couple of km yet to be sealed and that kind put her off riding it.

FWIW the gravel is really easy, more like hard pack dirt in most stretches. It's a no brainer on a sport bike, basically if she's ridden through road works she'll be able to handle it. Hard to avoid riding on gravel at some stage in NZ and this is probably a rather friendly introduction.

[Voltaire]

Its a great ride, taken my 30 year old Duke thru it twice in the last year, gravel can be variable....was pretty loose a few weeks back.
Stop for a beer, its worth it.

[Owl]

Did it last Sunday with the Manawatu crew. Gravel is fine (mint:D) as others have said, but a word of warning.

Be very wary of melting tar on River Rd between Taumarunui and the turn-off to Ohura Rd. It's nasty slippery in places and also difficult to navigate through, as it covers the entire road in places.

Mint ride though!:msn-wink:

[NZsarge]

Did it last Sunday with the Manawatu crew. Gravel is fine (mint:D) as others have said, but a word of warning.

Be very wary of melting tar on River Rd between Taumarunui and the turn-off to Ohura Rd. It's nasty slippery in places and also difficult to navigate through, as it covers the entire road in places.

Mint ride though!:msn-wink:

+1, It was nice apart form the above mentioned. I like the Strattford to Taumarunui way as for us it dispenses with the boring hi-way 3 stint first off and you have a spell at Whanga after the saddles.

[shafty]

Jym, wait til we get back and stay with us at Matiere!

As Blackbird says, Geoff and Penny are good sorts, and have a Connie 14 in the garage themslves.

Both directions are great. Be ready for the tunnel, and if you are wearing shades, stop and take them off first! Not much of a horizon evident in there with sunnies on.

Greg Murphy was participating in an economy run thru there a few years ago on 4 wheels and proclaimed it was the best kept secret in the North island, he loved it. And he turned in a record (worst) fuel consumption, lol

Have fun :msn-wink:

[Highlander]

Jym, wait til we get back and stay with us at Matiere!




Just may have to do that as well mate. :niceone:

[banditrider]

Personally I like Tauramanui-Stratford. Saving the saddles till last.Tauranga-Stratford-Awakino-Otro- Home is a good day ride.
Or goTau- Statford-Wanga's-Parapara-..................... over two days.MHO

Probably my preference too - love those saddles!


Did it last Sunday with the Manawatu crew. Gravel is fine (mint:D) as others have said, but a word of warning.

Be very wary of melting tar on River Rd between Taumarunui and the turn-off to Ohura Rd. It's nasty slippery in places and also difficult to navigate through, as it covers the entire road in places.

Mint ride though!:msn-wink:

Absofreekkinlootley! The hot tar was pretty bad in places but the gravel was sweet as. There is a small section part way through the gravel where they seem to have to attempted to seal the road - probably the roughest bit.

A couple of very small snippets of last weekend's ride:

W2lTELpjTrA

[banditrider]

Here's the gravel section:

c9caIN6XSvg

BTW: I have a shocking memory (and crappy maps), can someone tell me the names of the saddles in the order you come across them - I've got more video to edit...

[nadroj]

Tahora, Whangamomona, Pohukura, Strathmore & Douglas then Sangsters hill (yes Hitchers rellies).

[Highlander]

Here's the gravel section:

c9caIN6XSvg

BTW: I have a shocking memory (and crappy maps), can someone tell me the names of the saddles in the order you come across them - I've got more video to edit...

Good work on those video clips.
Must investigate getting me a video set up.

[shafty]

[QUOTE=banditrider;1129958297]Probably my preference too - love those saddles!



Absofreekkinlootley! The hot tar was pretty bad in places but the gravel was sweet as. There is a small section part way through the gravel where they seem to have to attempted to seal the road - probably the roughest bit.

QUOTE]

Brilliant Andrew - the perfect way to answer the perpetual question about gravel on the FWH.

Will pm you re yr camera setup so as not to hi jack the thread.

[PrincessBandit]

Balu and I did it Tau - Stratford on our way to NP to stop with Pussy and Gassit Girl. Had lunch at Whangamomona - brilliant feed. Must say though we didn't go exploring any side roads (given that we were on the bandit and the burgman scooter...) The gravel section was fine for our roadies but had one heart stopping moment when we saw a biggish looking mud hole we had to ride through. Being the stout hearted person I am (:msn-wink:) I let Balu go through it first knowing that if he could get the burger through I'd be ok. Both he and i were "ok, clench the jaw, teeth, buttocks and go for it". Happily it wasn't as bad as we were expecting other than a little slippery, and it was not as long as it appeared. Boy by the time we got to the pub my bike looked like a swamp monster - so filthy!

[heavyduty]

hi ppl.
so the straty to wonga stretch is ok if theres lots of trafic ,just a bit weary as ive not been out there b4 and new to the road bike thing

[shafty]

hi ppl.
so the straty to wonga stretch is ok if theres lots of trafic ,just a bit weary as ive not been out there b4 and new to the road bike thing

HD, unless its Republic Day, traffic will be light - you will be fine, just take your time and ENJOY!

[nadroj]

Republic day this weekend!

[Gone Burger]

I've done this road both ways. Personally I preferred Stratford to Taumaranui (excuse terrible spelling, can't be arsed googling it) direction. Was on my long wheel based cruiser and the corners seemed better for me this way. But either way, it's an exceptional ride. Stunning scenery and fun corners. As mentioned above, just heads up for melted tar on hot days. But also, if it's heavy rain (torrential when I did it a month ago) just be prepard for slips and boulders round blind corners. There were some very impressive rocks right in the middle of the road, often. But as long as you expect they may be there, it's no worries at all.

I did Wellington - Taranaki - Stratford - Forgotten Highway - Taumaranui - Taupo in a day. approx 670km, and stopped for a couple of hours OFF the forgotten highway to visit a friend of my fellow rider (yes, about a 20k gravel road off the side before the main road gravel stretch in pouring rain, now that was fun! - can't say the Boulvard loved it as much) ;) You will love it. Take photos, breath in the scenery and have fun. :niceone:

[sinfull]

Republic day this weekend!

Which day ? Hmmmm hehehehehe

[nadroj]

Sunday
http://www.whangamomonahotel.co.nz/acat.html#general

[Maha]

Good thread, we are doing the Naki over Easter.

[ynot slow]

Good thread, we are doing the Naki over Easter.

Hmmm ride to the naki to give a tour of area,maybe able to suss out bed in Stratford if required,under mountain.

[Gremlin]

Good thread, we are doing the Naki over Easter.
Fiddlesticks, you don't need a long weekend to do the Forgotten Highway. Its about 900-1000km, comfortable day trip :innocent:

[Maha]

Fiddlesticks, you don't need a long weekend to do the Forgotten Highway. Its about 900-1000km, comfortable day trip :innocent:

Theres three days right there.........:facepalm:
We are touring the whole weekend Alan, 43 is just part of it.

[Gremlin]

Enjoy... don't forget the Paraparas (SH4), perhaps the Awakino Gorge on SH3 as well.

If you want back roads there are some nice remote ones around Ohura and Matiere

[NZsarge]

And Vinegar Hill and over to Porangahau up to Waipukarau through to East Cape! :D

[Maha]

And Vinegar Hill and over to Porangahau up to Waipukarau through to East Cape! :D

Tempting.....easter is only four days right?.....:facepalm:

[NZsarge]

Tempting.....easter is only four days right?.....:facepalm:

Plenty of time and i'm soft as when it comes to long distance touring...

[Gremlin]

4000km should be enough to do a fair bit of the island. Except I'd take a break after, you may be a bit tired.

[Maha]

I wanna go around the mountian singing aye aye yippy yippy aye. Been to the naki once. Never been around Egmont before and that will happen this trip.

So far the route is....
WW to Rangiuru/Ngaruwahia SH39 to Te Kuiti SH3 to Awakino/NP around the Egmont SH43 from Stratford to T/Nui SH4 to National Park/Turangi SH32 to Mangakino then some back road to Kihikihi then have a bit of an explore from there.

[Gone Burger]

Tempting.....easter is only four days right?.....:facepalm:

Ah yes - but it's my Birthday the Thursday before so reckon you need an extra day away to have a drink with me!! :P

[Maha]

Ah yes - but it's my Birthday the Thursday before so reckon you need an extra day away to have a drink with me!! :P

Wellington? can I not just send you a card?.....:innocent:

[ynot slow]

Round the hill is o for awesome,take the upper route from Okato,i.e Wiremu Rd,Stratford-Opunake Rd back to Stratford,then take Eltham Rd at Eltham to Kaponga,head down Manaia Rd to Manaia then onto Hawera,or carry along Eltham Rd at Kaponga to Opunake then surf highway to Hawera.

Hawera has a couple of ok motels and good food outlets,hmm,can be paid(2 beers day)as scout.

[That looks like fun]

I wanna go around the mountian singing aye aye yippy yippy aye. Been to the naki once. Never been around Egmont before and that will happen this trip.

So far the route is....
WW to Rangiuru/Ngaruwahia SH39 to Te Kuiti SH3 to Awakino/NP around the Egmont SH43 from Stratford to T/Nui SH4 to National Park/Turangi SH32 to Mangakino then some back road to Kihikihi then have a bit of an explore from there.

From N.P head up Carrington Rd Saunders Rd onto the Wiremu and then onto Stratford-Opunake Rd. Bit more fun on a bike than taking the coast road. Brings you into south end of Stratford (no fuel from N.P to Stratford on this road) so you can hook onto SH43 easy as :scooter:

[Maha]

Round the hill is o for awesome,take the upper route from Okato,i.e Wiremu Rd,Stratford-Opunake Rd back to Stratford,then take Eltham Rd at Eltham to Kaponga,head down Manaia Rd to Manaia then onto Hawera,or carry along Eltham Rd at Kaponga to Opunake then surf highway to Hawera.

Hawera has a couple of ok motels and good food outlets,hmm,can be paid(2 beers day)as scout.

Cheers Tony, I have the route mapped out now. Day 1 Warkworth-Te Kuiti-Mokau-NP. Day 2 will be around the mountain and up 43 to T/Nui.....Day 3 is from T/Nui-Kuratau-Mangakino-Raglan. Day 4 Raglan to home via Waingaro.

[nallac]

Hell Maha thats a two day ride at the max(going slow and having a rest)one day would be better.......not four days...

[Maha]

Hell Maha thats a two day ride at the max(going slow and having a rest)one day would be better.......not four days...

1500 K's...have to throw in some sex there somewhere...:corn:

[nallac]

...have to throw in some sex there somewhere...:corn:

So how many Honda riders are going then?..

[Maha]

So how many Honda riders are going then?..

Just the one, we Honda boys can manage on our own....:blink:

[ynot slow]

1500 K's...have to throw in some sex there somewhere...:corn:

FFS you're going the Forgotten Highway heaps of 86's girlfriends on ro(u)ot.

Sounds a good few days,might try and head up to dads and maybe tiki tour to Whanga with yas.

Do the upper loop,but beware as usual the odd cockie with feedout wagon(maybe a few feeding out then),silage on corners is ok on 4 wheels not 2 though.Can turn right at Dawson Falls turn off(worth a quick trip to the falls) to Kaponga or carry onto Stratford,if ya get lost turn right eventually come out on surf highway lol.

[Maha]

'FFS you're going the Forgotten Highway heaps of 86's girlfriends on ro(u)ot'.

You mean roadkill?....:corn:

[pritch]

'FFS you're going the Forgotten Highway heaps of 86's girlfriends on ro(u)ot'.

You mean roadkill?....:corn:

That's a bit kinky. I think he meant sheep?

You going to meet up with any yokels errr locals while you're in the area?

[Maha]

That's a bit kinky. I think he meant sheep?

You going to meet up with any yokels errr locals while you're in the area?

Sure, planning on staying the night in NP.

[nadroj]

Tangarakau gorge was in excellent nic yesterday. 20 + bikes went thru on the last day of the Masters Games road ride after a lunch stop at Whanga.

[The Pastor]

i LOVE THAT ROAD.

[DEVVIL]

231374Its a happening place231372:shutup:
Did someone say sheep :corn:

[ynot slow]

Tangarakau gorge was in excellent nic yesterday. 20 + bikes went thru on the last day of the Masters Games road ride after a lunch stop at Whanga.

Man you are fit to do that,(climb the bank for picture lol),sounded like a good event,much better than contact sports when over 40 lol.

Does it ever rain in Whanga in summer,every pic I've seen this summer is awesome weatherwise,and non better than when we pootled through end December.

[9rider]

I have done it both ways and find going in from Stratford better if you are staying the night at the pub. Riding out to Taumaranui is an easy cruise.