Auckland to Wellington in July

[nzbiker86]

Hey there


I am planning a moVe to Wellington the end of July. I've been quoted $280 to get it transported but thought it might be a nice ride. Any advice on routes or roads to avoid? I'm worried that I may hit icy patches etc plus Id look to set off early morning and complete the ride in a day. (crazy?)

Personally I thought $280 was cheap but how reliable are the transport companies? I got the quote off biketranz.

Any advice is appreciated


Cheers

Rich

[dogsnbikes]

Your ride route will be weather dependant if you stick to the main highways your be fine...some will say take SH1 but there is no reason why you can't do Auckland to Te kuiti to New Plymouth to Wanganui then to Wellington..

otherwise replace New Plymouth with Taumarunui and Raetihi....

Just ride to conditions and take your time....

[nzbiker86]

Thanks mate. Never done a ride this long, but the sprint should look after me if I decide to do it!

I'm sure it will be more enjoyable than driving the car anyway.

[jellywrestler]

if you stick to the main highways any ice will have been sorted by the regular trucks going through, or the road will be closed

[240]

Its a great ride mate.
The only thing to watch is the desert road area if you travel early morning its farken cold and can be icy.
Mid morning or later is better to travel through this region.
Also make sure you stop for a steak pie in Turangi ...best in the country :niceone:

[insomnia01]

:woohoo:Akld - Te awamutu - Te kuiti - Taumarunui - National park - Raetihi - Paraparas - Whanganui - Bulls - Wgtn thats the route I would take, road conditions will be similar either way to go ( icy conditons the closer you get to the central nth isld ) keep a eye on the weather & enjoy :woohoo:

[Drew]

On a 250 Ninja, I'd probably just take SH1 right down. On that bike in average weather you can expect to do the trip in about seven hours seat time.

Aukland, hang a right at Ngaruawahia, down through National park, left to Waiuru before the Paraparas, and then down to Wellington. That's the route I always take on the bike. I find I make better time because of the reduced traffic and towns...And cops.

Add an hour to the travel time if you wanna go through the Paraparas and Wanganui.

Note, seven hours is a rough time, based on leaving from south Aukland.

[unstuck]

I used the route Drew mentioned back in the late 80,s on a 400 Impulse, used to take me between 7 1/2--8hrs from the hibiscus coast. I did it twice a week for about 4 months(there then back the next day). Lots of ice about at that time of year so keep alert.:2thumbsup

[jellywrestler]

do the paraparas, one of the best riding roads in the country hands down, if it's wet on the state highway you'll get soaked from all the truck spray either following them or when they come the other way, the quiter roads are much more peaceful and better in those conditions for that reason alone

[Drew]

do the paraparas, one of the best riding roads in the country hands down, if it's wet on the state highway you'll get soaked from all the truck spray either following them or when they come the other way, the quiter roads are much more peaceful and better in those conditions for that reason alone

I've been stuck behind a truck for about half an hour before, on the route I take. The spray from the truck's tyres made it impossible to see far enough past to pass.

But you're right, there's less chance of that happening on the back roads....And more corners.

[nzbiker86]

Cheers for the replies. I'll take it easy anyway, I only recently got a triumph sprint, so still getting used to it. The mrs is taking the car down so she can navigate whilst I enjoy the roads :2thumbsup

[insomnia01]

@3hrs from Te awamutu to Whanganui via Para's the bonus is there is generally less heavy traffic through there due to the great road that is is :woohoo: SH1 sucks which either way you wish to take it :motu:

[sels1]

Hey there


I am planning a moVe to Wellington the end of July. Smart move:niceone:
If you have never done it on a bike, state Hway 1 is still a good way to get from Ak to WN. More coffee stops and passing bays than any other route. The Desert Rd is best around the middle of the day, (at this time of year)which is when you would be due to go through.
The other roads suggested are good too, but I feel one should do SH1 at least once.

When you get to Wellie, there is an active RAT group there. Also KB midweek evening rides during summer, and weekends most year round.


I got the quote off biketranz.

The boss there is a good sort and they move a lot of bikes

[dogsnbikes]

If you have never done it on a bike, state Hway 1 is still a good way to get from Ak to WN. More coffee stops than any other route.



Gheez Sels anyone would think your been hanging around Alistair (86) with a coffee comment like that ;)

[Murray]

The mrs is taking the car down so she can navigate whilst I enjoy the roads :2thumbsup

Whatever way you go you have your priorities right so enjoy.

PS Im with Drew on his route

[gammaguy]

I have done that trip hundreds of times and if there is one tip I can give you its this

Fit heated grips:yes:

[misterO]

I just rode from Auckland to Dunedin and I chose to stick to the main road. Wintertime is no time to be screwing around- main roads are better maintained, if the weather trapped me there were more accommodation options and, heaven forbid, if I went off the road odds are I would be spotted/rescued sooner. Fun ride? Heck yes, and being on a bike means you're not stuck forever waiting for a passing lane. I figured I'd save the big back road tour for the summertime- getting there in one piece took priority. I've used BikeTranz before and they're good peeps. Whatever you decide- have fun, keep warm, stay safe.

[sels1]

Gheez Sels anyone would think your been hanging around Alistair (86) with a coffee comment like that ;)

Ha- I haven't had a coffee with Al for absolute yonks- must do so sometime

[Madness]

Doing it in a day is far from crazy, even in mid-winter. My advice is to make sure you're waterproof & don't be too proud to chuck on some Warewhare quality dayglo PVC, it's cheap & effective. Don't leave too early, let the sun come up properly and don't start the trip cold or you'll be a bit fucked by the time you get to the other end. Don't expect there to be no cops on any b-grade highway although I'm yet to see one on the Paraparas (seen the fuckers just about everywhere else in the middle of god-damn nowheresville mind you).

Oh, enjoy Wellington, it's an excellent place to live :niceone:

[unstuck]

Doing it in a day is far from crazy, even in mid-winter. My advice is to make sure you're waterproof & don't be too proud to chuck on some Warewhare quality dayglo PVC, it's cheap & effective. Don't leave too early, let the sun come up properly and don't start the trip cold or you'll be a bit fucked by the time you get to the other end. Don't expect there to be no cops on any b-grade highway although I'm yet to see one on the Paraparas (seen the fuckers just about everywhere else in the middle of god-damn nowheresville mind you).

Oh, enjoy Wellington, it's an excellent place to live :niceone:

Rural people get killed on rural roads remember, dontcha watch tv.:yes: