Sh 38?

[cheshirecat]

Searched forums without much luck. Anyone ridden this recently, well within living memory. Is there that 100k of gravel as mentioned in the whiki?
I'm thinking of riding it

[Howie]

Thats the one past Lake Waikaremoana isn't it? do a search for Lake Waikaremoana, or have a look at the mmmmm ride threads in the ADV section of the forum, which is an annual mid winter ride through there.

[Gremlin]

Yep, that's the Waikaremoana Rd. It's not that rough, with a lot of it being hard packed. Issue at the eastern end is that it was quite smooth, but when damp it was slippery.

It's not a heavy adventure ride as such, but also depends how recently (or not) the grader has been through. Stunning ride! :woohoo:

[cheshirecat]

Ta, was thinking re my VFR.

[koba]

Less think, more do.
100km of gravel on a VFR can't be all bad, by the end of it you will love or hate it.
Or, it might be all sealed; best way to find out is to give it a burl.

[BMWST?]

Less think, more do.
100km of gravel on a VFR can't be all bad, by the end of it you will love or hate it.
Or, it might be all sealed; best way to find out is to give it a burl.
mr google has been through there,looks like about 60 70 ks might be unsealed pure guestimate on my part

[koba]

mr google has been through there,looks like about 60 70 ks might be unsealed pure guestimate on my part

Gravel riding on sport bikes can actually be kinda fun...

[tri boy]

Be very wary of 4x4's towing trailer sailors, and fizz boats.
Corner cutting is the norm, and they don,t give a fuck about sickles.

[bosslady]

Did you end up going through that way? How bad was the gravel? Considering going through there next week but umming and ahhing?

[bosslady]

Yep, that's the Waikaremoana Rd. It's not that rough, with a lot of it being hard packed. Issue at the eastern end is that it was quite smooth, but when damp it was slippery.

It's not a heavy adventure ride as such, but also depends how recently (or not) the grader has been through. Stunning ride! :woohoo: Maybe you would be the best person to answer the above question....

[Gremlin]

Did you end up going through that way? How bad was the gravel? Considering going through there next week but umming and ahhing?
Was there almost a year ago, gravel roads can vary a lot, especially right before grading and then right after. Nothing overly taxing, typical gravel road which sees a bit of travel so the wheel tracks are hard pack. At the Waikaremoana end the whole road was hard pack. Only problem with that is that when it gets damp/wet it gets quite slippery.

I'd probably suggest other gravel roads first, simply because of the remoteness there. Get some practise, then go enjoy.

[bosslady]

Was there almost a year ago, gravel roads can vary a lot, especially right before grading and then right after. Nothing overly taxing, typical gravel road which sees a bit of travel so the wheel tracks are hard pack. At the Waikaremoana end the whole road was hard pack. Only problem with that is that when it gets damp/wet it gets quite slippery.

I'd probably suggest other gravel roads first, simply because of the remoteness there. Get some practise, then go enjoy.
I'm going with nerrrd so won't be alone. I'm also pretty stubborn. Might see what the weather says!

[pete376403]

Last time I went that way I encountered a herd of full dress BMW tourers, most with pillions. They seemed to be handling it ok.

[GMcC]

Tis a good ride - not too demanding and yes 70 odd kms of non - tar
If its a dry track - nothing too demanding !
Weve done it 4 times in the last 6 months - 3 in the pissing down mode !!!!
Yes the eastern quarter does tend to be mushy when wet and road has a distinct
camber to help those directionally challenged - cant get out of the f..n watertable !
Apart from that its worth a spin - watch for locals running their pigdogs and watching
them instead of the hairpins !
Oh - horses and cows rule on the western end !!!!
Go for it

[Howie]

Maybe you would be the best person to answer the above question....

There were a couple of crews working on the middle sections of the road when I went through it the week before Easter, but overall it was in fairly good condition for most of the gravel section.

[bosslady]

There were a couple of crews working on the middle sections of the road when I went through it the week before Easter, but overall it was in fairly good condition for most of the gravel section.

hmmmm!!....

[nerrrd]

hmmmm!!....

Double hmmmm...my bike is belt drive, I know belts don't like stones, would it be a bad idea taking it through a longish gravel section like this?

[Gremlin]

Double hmmmm...my bike is belt drive, I know belts don't like stones, would it be a bad idea taking it through a longish gravel section like this?
If no stones get into the belt, it will be sweet as.

If a stone gets into your belt (on any road), if you don't catch it quick smart, it will wear a hole through the belt, and while some might last some time, you're effectively running on borrowed time.

[GMcC]

Wat he said !

Ive had the Buell Ulysses - belt drive and wasnt a problem regards to stones etc
Youll soon know if one gets picked up !

[awa355]

Last time through that road, got to Murapara and found a couple of screws has dropped out of the fairings. Something most riders wouldn't think of checking after a long run on badly corrogated gravel. The road was bloody rough that particular trip.

[unstuck]

If you break down along there, do NOT wander off the road. Stick to the road and someone will turn up eventually. They are very protective of their crops through there, so stick to the road, and if you hear whistles in the mist, ride like fuck.:2thumbsup