Lower North Island path less traveled?

[Sparrow_1982]

Hi people.

I am looking into and planning a few trips around the lower north island :niceone:, as I do so, I am going to put up the info here, to see if anyone is interested in coming along for the journey...:chase:

At the moment I am mid stage planning a trip Feilding - Ashhurst - Pohangina Valley - Taoroa Junction - Taihape - Turakina Valley - Marton - Feilding. :wait:

This is around 400 km's and estimated to be around 6 hours riding,
HOWEVER... there is the option for those to finish at the mid way point, Taihape :drinknsin. (Lunch and refuel point)
From Feilding to Taihape is about 3 -4 hours ride (sealed and gravel roads, at a slow - medium pa)
I have linked a video showing a run i did 2/3 of the first half. I added it to show what you can expect from the journey (but honestly this is ten times better seeing in person)

www.youtube.com/watch?v=y7UHX6yqnno

I am yet to go through the second half on a timed run to see how long it will actually take.:scratch:

So if you are keen to either do the full loop or just the first half (or perhaps the second half) let me know.... it would be great to get a few to come along

Accommodation for those interested could be looked into depending on the numbers i could get a good deal (not revealing that until later though) but if you are out of the district and keen let me know.

[GPS MAN]

Looks interesting...and I really need to get out and ride:clap:

Keep me posted on dates~~~~~~~~

[Howie]

could be interested as well, date dependent. Haven't ridden much this summer/ Autumn. Been painting the house or working long hours.

[banditrider]

Went through Taoroa Junction today. Was fairly wet & mushy but ok. Matawhero, Rangitikei Valley and Mangaohane Roads were fantastic - did then both ways. Also did Watershed road which was outstanding as well. I have video to process...

Also could be keen to tag along depending on dates etc.

296373

[young1]

Looks interesting depending on dates.

Thank You!

Mike

[manakau.KTM]

same as wot he said

Cheers

Wayne

[pomgolian]

+ 1 depending on dates

[Sparrow_1982]

So on saturday I found the time to go for a full run of the first half of route, and I wasn't disappointed upon what i found had happened to tutupapa Rd (it turned into my first little adventure:cool:)
So as I turned onto Tutupapa rd, the signs were there it was no longer a complete road, even though my GPS was saying it was. (No Exit sign and all) as i traveled further up and along the hill the gravel road slowly changed into a grassy track into a forest, then into marshy .5' to 1' deep muddy ruts at parts... :baby: this was my first time EVER in this foreign liquid called mud, and what a time :lol: Like a boss I fell off three times:nya: and everytime i was pissing myself with laughter as to what i was doing... perhaps when we do this for real i could maybe learn a few things from guys that actually know what they are doing. so this wasnt the end of the ordeal, upon making through this muddy patch, imagine my dismay when the GPS goes flat and I stumble across the gate at the end of this road. Due to my GPS dying my only option was to enter the station and try find the way down to the main road over the next valley :drool: so aimlessly was riding around some random farmers land going from paddock to paddock trying to find a way out... untill finally i came across this valley which i figured one way or another it should get me to a road (it was heading south and the road i needed to get to was south of me and ran from east to west) So following the valley the track started showing signs of alot of use and slowly widened giving me comfort that it must be heading the right way. In my head I started thinking, what will i say if the farmer finds me trespassing through his land, just as i round this bend on the side of the hill, over the far side in the distance the farmers house could be seen and a tiny figure standing in the middle of the track, as I got closer the figure changed into multiple figures (which turned out to be the entire farmers family and extended family) standing there watching this random guy on a dirtbike come out from the back of his station. Busted!!:killingme
As it turned out they were just back from duck shooting out in the back of their land, and as i explained to them how i had gotten lost when the GPS crapped out he laughed and said it was no worries, AND he even gave me permission to do this with a group of guys :eek5: What a champ :clap:

as I suspected, my GPS of the route was in fact out of date (even though though it was the lastest updated map)
Tutupapa Rd was no longer a complete road and a few years ago had partly been closed off, the farmer explained.
Morale of the story is... take your charging cord for your phone (even if it was a short ride) :brick:

[GPS MAN]

Sounds like you had an interesting ride....Need to watch-out for those duck hunters this time of year in the back blocks:no:

Should be a great ride when you finally get it all mapped! Looking forward to it:niceone:

[R650R]

Sounds interesting alright. Mate that drives a stock truck pointed out some good backroads to me around there that are still passable when sH1 closed by snow, forgotten the names though.
The farmer prob just happy your not a poacher these days. Most are pretty good.

[DR Girl]

I cracked up just reading your write up, sounds like you had a great Adventure :2thumbsup. Your ride back in the rain with us from Wairoa to Hawkes Bay, then onto Feilding shows you are a man of STEEL !!! My butt was getting sore as I approached Napier. You are doing great :headbang::headbang::headbang: & you deserve one of Marty's (who you will meet in time) banana's :wari:

[bart]

That looks a bit like ’Shitbag Track’. We do that when time on the RRRR.

[Night Falcon]

I cracked up just reading your write up, sounds like you had a great Adventure :2thumbsup. Your ride back in the rain with us from Wairoa to Hawkes Bay, then onto Fielding shows you are a man of STEEL !!! My butt was getting sore as I approached Napier. You are doing great :headbang::headbang::headbang: & you deserve one of Marty's (who you will meet in time) banana's :wari:

anytime you get lost, tip over in mud and avoid being shot by duck hunters is a 2 banana adventure ride - nice work mr sparrow :banana::banana: (You don't want to know what sort of adv ride earns 3 naa naa's :facepalm:)

[R650R]

anytime you get lost, tip over in mud and avoid being shot by duck hunters is a 2 banana adventure ride - nice work mr sparrow :banana::banana: (You don't want to know what sort of adv ride earns 3 naa naa's :facepalm:)

Sounds like we need to formalize the rating system and buy some banana stickers for our bikes... even if just to perplex out of towners :)