Ride recommendations REQUEST

[Gordo66]

Planning on trying a couple of new rides over summer.
Thought I'd thro it out to the group for suggestions.

Looking for:

- your favourite North Island ride + why
- anything i should be conscious/wary of (6 yr intermediate rider)

[pritch]

East Cape and Waioeka Gorge would be my first pick.

Other honourable mentions:

The Gentle Annie between Taihape and Hastings, top up whichever end you start from, there's about 160K with no gas.

SH43 Stratford to Taumarunui.

SH18 Eketahuna to Waipukerau

SH18 Martinborough to Masterton

The roads around Taupo are worth a visit as are the roads around Kawhia and Raglan.

The Napier Taupo road isn't super highly rated but is worth doing as part of a tour.

SH12 Wairoa to Gisborne

These are all lower North Island (more or less) since you're in Wellington. Then there's the South Island...

There was a book called The New Zealand Motorcycle Atlas, it showed the more interesting roads. Otherwise a large format paper map will be better than nothing. Computer maps are not as good for planning trips.

[reasonable]

Have you done Route 52 ?

That's a cracker little ride just watch out for stock ( eg sheep )

Unmanned fuel pump at Pongaroa .

Can ride back a different way or connect with the main state highway 2 .

[Blackbird]

Try this website: https://www.bestbikingroads.com/motorcycle-roads/new-zealand/rides/north-island .

[Laava]

The whanganui river rd from raetahi to whanganui is a must.

[reasonable]

Just don't use slicks

[Old Steve]

Different to his Aussie and USA books, the local book is a list of about 50 favourite rides. A little biased towards gravel roads and goat tracks, but you'd probably find something you"ll like in there
Steve

[slofox]

Have you done Route 52 ?

That's a cracker little ride just watch out for stock ( eg sheep )

Unmanned fuel pump at Pongaroa .

Can ride back a different way or connect with the main state highway 2 .

I can second that. Great ride.

[Beekeeper]

From AK, there few options getting out of town so it has to be SH16 to Welsford. From there its either twin bridges via Mangawhai-Waipu-Oakleigh-Mangatapere or Rawene via Brynderwyn-Dargaraville-Waipoua. Once youre in the North you can go west coast-Broadwood Herekino or East Coast via Waimate Nth or even up the middle via Mangamuka. Either way stay in the Mangonui Pub as your destination. Pushing it you could do the loop in day but 2 or 3 days is relaxing. Blue fairies up 16 and in proximity to the bigger townships particularly on the east side.

[F5 Dave]

Different to his Aussie and USA books, the local book is a list of about 50 favourite rides. A little biased towards gravel roads and goat tracks, but you'd probably find something you"ll like in there
Steve
I'm half way through it but its sat there for months. Was hoping for something more like his US book. Must find the Auss one.
RIP mr Hyde. Reason to get out and ride in case your health pops you away prematurely.

[russd7]

I'm half way through it but its sat there for months. Was hoping for something more like his US book. Must find the Auss one.
RIP mr Hyde. Reason to get out and ride in case your health pops you away prematurely.

I'm the same, must finish it and return it to its rightful owner,

[Banditbandit]

Turangi to Hamilton via Taumaranui, Te Kuiti, Otorohanga etc ...


Depends on what you ride - I like the big open flowing roads that I an open the throttle and let her run ...

Whakamaru to Turangi on the Western Bay Road (or turn right and the end of Western Bay to Taumaranui adn the above ride .. )

State Highway 54 from Vinegar Hill to Ashurst .. then over the Pahiatua track and North - lots of back roads to Dannevirke, then north of State Highway 2 to State Highway 50 - which takes you to hastings - back over Gentle Annie to Taihape ..

[Laava]

I'm the same, must finish it and return it to its rightful owner,
No-one does that.