Taupo to Napier - alternative route past Lake Waikaremoana?

[OddDuck]

Hi All

Am doing the first touring ride of the season on Labour Weekend, the planned route is Wellies - Ohakune - Napier - Wellies again.

My mate proposed trying the road a bit north of the usual Taupo-Napier highway, the one that's the direct line Rotorua to Wairoa. Thing is, the maps show a massive length of gravel in the middle of it and we're on 900cc sportbikes...

Anyone ridden this recently? What's the road like?

[jellywrestler]

i did it in new years 2000 on an RF900, yip a long time ago but i don't know much has changed, loved every bit of it but you've got a long way to go so if it doesn't suit you need to have a back out plan. the biggest issue is oncoming traffic as it's tough to react to them, and allow for stopping real quick on that style of road, cause often the cars coming won't be that smart. can you run through google maps and actually see the road on your computer?

[jellywrestler]

https://www.google.co.nz/maps/@-38.7399352,177.0972758,3a,75y,186.93h,102.99t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sVvH3eCJu8PaVn_sz4JWgFw!2e0!7i1 3312!8i6656

[Blackbird]

Gentle Annie as an alternative route from just north of Taihape to Napier? Generally light on traffic and a great ride for bikes.

[bikaholic]

Yep, still heaps of gravel.

[MarkH]

Gentle Annie as an alternative route from just north of Taihape to Napier? Generally light on traffic and a great ride for bikes.

^THIS!

The Gentle Annie is fun as fuck!

[FJRider]

... the biggest issue is oncoming traffic as it's tough to react to them, and allow for stopping real quick on that style of road, cause often the cars coming won't be that smart. can you run through google maps and actually see the road on your computer?

It's a popular route for camper vans now too. Their occupants more interested in the views than watching where they are going.

And no white painted white lines to keep them on their half of the road. On (narrow) gravel roads you find them usually dead center.

If you don't like gravel roads ... stay off it. But ... It won't be too bad if the grader hasn't been through for a while ...

[OddDuck]

Thanks all - OK will have to talk this over with my mate.

[bikaholic]

Gravel half way from Murapara to Ruatahuna. Then from Ruatahuna to Tuai complete. Your biggest problem is the local retards who dont want you or anyone else there.

[Honest Andy]

Went through there a year ago in a car. Nearly got taken out by a kid in a ute coming the other way. He was doing a beautiful drift and showing great control but if I wasn't quick enough to drive through the ditch and up onto the verge...

Oh and watch out for pigs and horses. Not all of them are wild, most of them are just grazing the long acre

[caspernz]

Gentle Annie as an alternative route from just north of Taihape to Napier? Generally light on traffic and a great ride for bikes.

I'd use this option myself.

Your intended route via Lake W is interesting, best I leave it at that :wacko::innocent:

[SaferRides]

Gentle Annie. Epic ride. Make sure you start with a full tank and take a snack with you.

[Black Knight]

I did the Lake W road earlier this year and found the locals fine, I would suggest you leave your prejudices as home-The road had not long been graded so was a bit scarey in places-I found there would be a stretch of gravel followed by a stretch of seal then back to gravel again before more seal.It really is a special ride as far as scenery is concerned.

[OddDuck]

Thanks again guys - I had the chance to catch up with my mate earlier in the week. The conversation got as far as
"I've had some replies on KB and there's 100 km of gravel"
"Oh fuck that"
so it's looking like it's the Gentle Annie or the roads through Turangi and then the Taupo-Napier. Guess we'll see what we want to do on the ride...

[SVboy]

We are looking at the Gentle Annie at Christmas on the Busa. I thought it was all sealed now?

[GazzaH]

Fully sealed - completed about 10 years ago.

You'll find a few potholes and slips due to the inclement weather, and LOADS of twisty turnies, hills, views.

Several decent cafes and petrol in Taihape.

Highly recommended.

[FJRider]

We are looking at the Gentle Annie at Christmas on the Busa. I thought it was all sealed now?

It is.

They were referring to the Lake Waikerimoana rd ...

[BMWST?]

We are looking at the Gentle Annie at Christmas on the Busa. I thought it was all sealed now?
correct taihape napier all sealed

[Ulsterkiwi]

the Gentle Annie is indeed fully sealed.
Awesome road. Do it.

[SVboy]

Thank you all. It shall be done.

[Laava]

We are looking at the Gentle Annie at Christmas on the Busa. I thought it was all sealed now?

It has been sealed for years.
Edit, sorry, I didn't see all the other responses first...but have fun!

[GazzaH]

That's a relief.

i thought I was Bill Murray

https://www.sciencealert.com/a-real-life-groundhog-day-uk-man-relives-the-same-day-over-and-over

Again.