6 day mixed metal & seal, North Island run looking for a fellow inmate.

[whizzard]

Hi All, long time lurker, etc, etc,

I am in the process of planning a 6 day ride around the middle of the North Island on a DRZ400. It will be as much metal and gravel as I can reasonably muster without intimate knowledge of the area. Below is a link to the proposed route divvied up by day. I am thinking early March at this point though weather permitting as the the Mighty Motu river run is one leg of the journey.

Starting point is generally the Titirangi area of Auckland, but the ride doesn't really start until around Drury. Likewise, nothing is set in stone so bailout points are there anytime.

I am still in the planning phases for lodging petrol spots and such. So have a look and PM or reply if you are keen. If you just want to slag the ride and talk crap, fire away. :banana:

I ride a DRZ400 with an 18L tank so can get about 200kms between stops. My experience riding gravel is moderate and the days I have laid out may not be reasonable, but somewhat punishing is what I'm going for. I'm not a fast rider, just persistent. No camping on this one, it will be hostels/backpackers/motels/roadside pubs, mangers or whatever can be gotten.

Ideally any one(s) interested, we would meet up to discuss and do a bit of a scoot around and shakedown.

https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit?mid=1OflQ2f_pjioSaGkK1QHB5lYOA9OpR7mq&usp=sharing

I will crosspost in ADVRider as welllllll.

[Bonez]

If you get further south closer to Palmerston North for some reason Connie and I can put you up for the night if needed. Very secure parking with surveillance cameras.

Welcome to the mad house.

[whizzard]

Much thanks Bonez!! I will keep you in mind as the nuts fall!



If you get further south closer to Palmerston North for some reason Connie and I can put you up for the night if needed. Very secure parking with surveillance cameras.

Welcome to the mad house.

[jellywrestler]

If you get further south closer to Palmerston North for some reason Connie and I can put you up for the night if needed. Very secure parking with surveillance cameras.

Welcome to the mad house. and banjo music all night long where you'll be sitting on the front porch whittling away some sticks with a peice of straw in your mouth...

[Bonez]

and banjo music all night long where you'll be sitting on the front porch whittling away some sticks with a peice of straw in your mouth...Sushhhhhhh:msn-wink:

wizzard I'm Csaluser2000 over at AdvRider- https://advrider.com/f/threads/new-zealand-pics-lets-see-em.317729/page-133

[pete376403]

from New Plymouth down to Stratford, up the forgotten highway 43 to whangamomona and taumaranui, to bennydale, through the Pureora Forest would get you to taupo, then off the napier taupo road at Iwitahi, lots of gravel to Murapura, down to waikarimoana to frasertown, up to gisborne and on to Motu from there.

[whizzard]

Sweet! I will have a look at those! Thank you!

[Gremlin]

Oparau to Urenui, look up Kiwi Rd.

If you haven't already, sign up here and see lots of North Island stuff available to you https://www.adventureridingnz.co.nz/

[whizzard]

Cheers Gremlin, added as it is right on the way! I'm looking into that road along with SH43 and will see what I can come up with to maximise and not loop around too much. Nothing is set so far and clicking and dragging is easy!

5th edit now... DANG, if I add in some of the stuff from the suggestions, I may have to add a 7th day!!!

[whizzard]

In taking on the suggestions from fellow innmates I have created a couple of alternate routes which effectively get me to the same places, but via twistier paths and without adding hugely to the time. Have a looksee

Cheers,
Whiz

[pete376403]

In taking on the suggestions from fellow innmates I have created a couple of alternate routes which effectively get me to the same places, but via twistier paths and without adding hugely to the time. Have a looksee

Cheers,
Whiz

where is the link to your new track?

[whizzard]

Hmmmm I thought the original link would go to the same page, perhaps not, anyway here it is, nothing major just a few tweaks. Now looking for good spots for the night around the stop points.

Planning on Oponui Road house first night and likely a backpackers in Stratford.


https://tinyurl.com/y6bdare9

Any suggestions for places to stay with company in the areas of:
Stratford
Taihape
Wairoa
Opotiki

[Bonez]

Hmmmm I thought the original link would go to the same page, perhaps not, anyway here it is, nothing major just a few tweaks. Now looking for good spots for the night around the stop points.

Planning on Oponui Road house first night and likely a backpackers in Stratford.


https://tinyurl.com/y6bdare9

Any suggestions for places to stay with company in the areas of:
Stratford
Taihape
Wairoa
Opotiki
Your original link does get updated and works just fine whizzard

[whizzard]

Looking through the step by step directions and noticed a Van Houtte Road in Raglan. Following the street pics it gets up to a cow crossing and what looks like a pic of a heavily overgrown private road sign.

Anyone been on it or know if you can pass or if it's private access by permission?

Cheers,
Whizzard

Here's the road: https://tinyurl.com/4y8nzh7p

[whizzard]

Also, anyone taken the Moki Track recently? Looks nice!

[Gremlin]

Also, anyone taken the Moki Track recently? Looks nice!
If I've got the right one, it's a super technical mtb'ing section (including Rerekapa): https://www.bikingpheasant.com/moki-rerekapa-trails-loop/

[whizzard]

Yeah, having a look at Moki trail, that bit is straight out as it does exactly what you link to. I will be able to do part of Moki road however as the eastern side joins up with SH 43.

[whizzard]

So I have gone through each days tracks on the 6 Days of Metal map and the turn by turn directions to sanity check as best I can (and make sure to stick to as much contiguous gravel as possible.

Got me ghetto offline mapping solution via phone, OSMAnd and exports from goggle.

Compiling a list of fine roadside establishments to stay in (that will hopefully have fellow travellers to celebrate the days tales with).

Closer and closer.

Thank you all for the road suggestions and offer for lodging!

-Whiz

[whizzard]

I had to switch to a working copy of the map as I had made too many edits.

Here it is:

https://tinyurl.com/y874t6gv

Also, any recommendations for lodging in Wairoa and Opotiki? Something with a spa would be good after the Motu Road, though having peeps around is likely better!

Cheers,
Whizzard