Taihape Napier/Hastings Road

[skelstar]

Im dreaming up a kick arse 'tour' of the lower north island and was wondering about the Taihape-Napier road and was wondering about the suitability for bikes? I think its called the 'gentle-annie'? I remember my folks taking us kids along that road one year many moons ago and it being slightly gravelly. Anyone know?
Thanks.

[MSTRS]

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showpost.php?p=194397&postcount=1

[skelstar]

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showpost.php?p=194397&postcount=1
Thanks dude. Not really a huge fan of the gravel (still a noob I guess). Looks like a good ride though.
Where do the HB faithful take their rides during playtime (other than road above)?

[Dazza]

The ride either side of the gravel is well worth it. Went through there a few years back mid summer on my then 2000 RSV Mille R, not the best bike for attacking the 50 ? odd K's of gravel. When we went through it was dry as buggery and some of the gravel was like riding on marbels, ideal time would be a few days after some rain to settle things down.Godd luck !! :cool:

[skelstar]

The ride either side of the gravel is well worth it. Went through there a few years back mid summer on my then 2000 RSV Mille R, not the best bike for attacking the 50 ? odd K's of gravel. When we went through it was dry as buggery and some of the gravel was like riding on marbels, ideal time would be a few days after some rain to settle things down.Godd luck !! :cool:
Hmm...marbles. Not good. Nice bike BTW.

[Slingshot]

I would suggest you check out SH4 from Wanganui to Oakune, it's a mint piece of road.

[Dazza]

I agree with slingshot, go up to Wanganui then up the Parapara's then up Fields track to Waiouru, down towards Taihape then across the Gentle Annie's.
The time I did the Gentle Annies, I met a group in Rotorua (rode up previous day),then off to Opotoki,through the Waiweka Gorge,nearly to Gisborne and over the other Gentle Annie between Gisborne and Wairoa,back roads to napier,across the Gentle Annie and spent the night in Ohakune,then through the National Park to the 8 mile Junction and then home to NP.A most excellent adventure. :done:

[skelstar]

Yeah I intend to do the Paraparas sometime soon. Dont know about Feilds track so ill have to look it up.
Want to do Awakino Gorge (sp? north naki through to Taumaranui) sometime soon too. Some good roads around but just have to trek out of Welly for a while to get to them.

[Bartman10]

The Napier Taihape road is qiute a long tough ride on a bike. 50k's of gravel is quite hard on a small road bike. If I were you I'd stick to the Napier-Taupo.

Once in Napier, I'd explore the roads to Taihape and out to Rissington etc, which are great roads, and turn around at the start of the gravel. You're not missing any of the good parts of the roads that way, and it's heaps less stressful.

If your're heading south out of Napier, go down middle road or even the tukituki road to waipawa and then go down route 52 from Waipukaru.

If you want to have a look at a map, come and cross the road. I'm in McKay building.

Cheers.

[Dazza]

Yeah I intend to do the Paraparas sometime soon. Dont know about Feilds track so ill have to look it up.
Want to do Awakino Gorge (sp? north naki through to Taumaranui) sometime soon too. Some good roads around but just have to trek out of Welly for a while to get to them.
Let me know when you want to come up my way and I can show you up through the Awakino Gorge (just follow the black line,without sounding too wanky) and to the 8 mile Junction, we sometimes do the loop road fm. NP,8 mile,National park, Parapara's to Wanganui for Cemetry Circuit (sp) :devil2:

[skelstar]

Let me know when you want to come up my way and I can show you up through the Awakino Gorge (just follow the black line,without sounding too wanky) and to the 8 mile Junction, we sometimes do the loop road fm. NP,8 mile,National park, Parapara's to Wanganui for Cemetry Circuit (sp) :devil2:
Sounds good. Maybe Bartman10, Fraggle, Hamish would consider another day trip like the last one :). Maybe a bit longer come to think...its 400km+ just to NP.

[Hitcher]

Thanks dude. Not really a huge fan of the gravel (still a noob I guess). Looks like a good ride though.
Where do the HB faithful take their rides during playtime (other than road above)?
Hawke's Bay is a veritable biker's wet dream for sealed rides. There are many loops that can be ridden around this province, including a cut-down version of the Gentle Annie. Middle Road/Patangata/Elsthorpe is a personal favourite, as is the Bay View-Taradale Road. An up-and-back from Napier to Tutira is also great fun.

[MSTRS]

Hawke's Bay is a veritable biker's wet dream for sealed rides. There are many loops that can be ridden around this province, including a cut-down version of the Gentle Annie. Middle Road/Patangata/Elsthorpe is a personal favourite, as is the Bay View-Taradale Road. An up-and-back from Napier to Tutira is also great fun.
Indeed. Pass the tissues, someone.

[Bonez]

There's only around 30ks of gravel now. Tis a good ride alright. Did it one winter just for the hell of it.

[skelstar]

Anyone know if the road from past-woodville through Onga-Onga to Napier is any good? Looks like a reasonable detour from the slow-road through Waipuk.

[Hitcher]

Anyone know if the road from past-woodville through Onga-Onga to Napier is any good? Looks like a reasonable detour from the slow-road through Waipuk.
Highway 50? A veritable racetrack. Stop at the Tikokino pub and drain a glass of their artesian water. Quickly. Wait for your eyes to shrivel with the cold and drop like marbles onto the floor...

[skelstar]

Highway 50? A veritable racetrack. Stop at the Tikokino pub and drain a glass of their artesian water. Quickly. Wait for your eyes to shrivel with the cold and drop like marbles onto the floor...
By racetrack you mean fairly straight and true? The Takas seem like a racetrack sometimes but not because of how 'true' it is...

[Hitcher]

By racetrack you mean fairly straight and true? The Takas seem like a racetrack sometimes but not because of how 'true' it is...
Ride Highway 50 for yourself. Be amazed. Post a ride report.

[sels1]

By racetrack you mean fairly straight and true? The Takas seem like a racetrack sometimes but not because of how 'true' it is...

It "meanders" over rolling countryside, some straights,some dips, it is the common shortcut to Napier and points north. Most rideworhy. When were you thinking of going?

[skelstar]

It "meanders" over rolling countryside, some straights,some dips, it is the common shortcut to Napier and points north. Most rideworhy. When were you thinking of going?
Thanks Sels. Might go in the next couple of weeks. Organising friends schedules in Hastings and potential riding companions in welly.

[MSTRS]

Highway 50? A veritable racetrack. .....
And the local 5-0 know this..... tho usually it is vermin-free.

[Paul in NZ]

Buy a map....

Just before the Tikokino pub there is a road off to the right (facing napier)

Argyll East, Te Onepu and end up at Bridge Pa. NZ country roads at their finest...

[phantom]

travel up to Hawkes Bay every couple of weeks in the cage for work and always take the highway 50 option. Much more interesting way to go and has been mentioned there are usually very few impediments to spirited riding if you get my drift.

[skelstar]

Buy a map....NZ country roads at their finest...
Yeah Ive been staring at maps a fair bit. I think I have a fairly good route sorted. Different way to come back. Should be awesome.