Bendiest road in NZ

[XP@]

Continental have done a study in the UK, to find the bendiest road in the UK.
http://www.conti-online.com/generator/www/uk/en/continental/automobile/general/news/bendiestroads_en.html

This got me thinking... I'm sure we can match, if not beat their offerings...
Their #1 road looks like this: http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?saddr=Cann+Common,%20Dorset,%20SP7%20%4050.98 7349,-2.166528&daddr=Tollard%20Royal&f=li&hl=en&dq=Cann%20Common&cid=&om=1

Makara to Johnsonville is my offering, but I'm sure there is better than that

Your suggestions please...

[Jantar]

I can think of lots of possible roads, but what is the measurement criteria. Is it simply the number of bends over a set distance? Or is it the degrees of turn in a set distance? Do two consecutive 45 degree turns count as bendier if they are in opposite directions.

Does one turn of 90 degrees count as being bendier than two 45 degree turns? And what length of road are we considering?

[Jeremy]

"Four runs, two in each direction, at a constant 30 mph, allowed the researchers to calculate the bendiest one mile section of the road, measured by the average lateral force impulse, calculated in kiloNewton seconds (kNs). "

[sugilite]

My experience it is the Akatarawas between Upper hutt and Waikanae, in fact it was my favourite road and I did it over 200 times when I lived in Paraparaumu and was a Rimituka refugee! I tell you, when you went through that road, the takas were made to feel like a 6 lane highway! :cool:

[XP@]

I can think of lots of possible roads, but what is the measurement criteria. Is it simply the number of bends over a set distance? Or is it the degrees of turn in a set distance? Do two consecutive 45 degree turns count as bendier if they are in opposite directions.

Does one turn of 90 degrees count as being bendier than two 45 degree turns? And what length of road are we considering?

urrrr thats technical...


Researchers tested a shortlist of ten roads – nominated by the readers of a leading car magazine – the length and breadth of mainland Britain. A standard Vauxhall Astra 1.4 with Continental ContiSportContact2 tyres was fitted with state of the art measuring equipment and an on-board computer to record forward speed and lateral acceleration. Four runs, two in each direction, at a constant 30 mph, allowed the researchers to calculate the bendiest one mile section of the road, measured by the average lateral force impulse, calculated in kiloNewton seconds (kNs).

We just want BENDY roads... you know the one near you where as soon as you are out of one corner there are two more to take it's place.
I guess for it to be worth taking a look at:
* Min 2.5kms
* Not a street
* Sealed / Unsealed should be separate categories

Then if you really wanted to get technical you could work out a formula based on the length of the road, number of bends and the average degree of turn. But for now a good list of really hard core tiwsty roads would be interesting. (as long as Lee Rusty dosent see it before the next 1000 miler)

[Jantar]

"Four runs, two in each direction, at a constant 30 mph, allowed the researchers to calculate the bendiest one mile section of the road, measured by the average lateral force impulse, calculated in kiloNewton seconds (kNs). "
Yes, I saw that, but that is only a measure of average lateral force on the tyres at a constant 30 MPH. By that standard a road with a single very tight hairpin would rate as being bendier than a similar stretch with two 90 degree elbows.

I also note that the measurement is over a single mile. That hardly counts as a road. My vote would go to a stretch of road just south of Kaitaia. Aproximately 90 kms of continuous 55 kmh bends (and I think lee Rusty already knows of it).

[T.W.R]

Got these two pics of the ChCh favourite play roads; Akaroa GP & the Summit rd & Bays.

1) Akaroa Gp from Cooptown to Barry's Bay = continual 25kmh & 35kmh indicated corners blind corners etc, mix of uphill & downhill

2) Summit Rd & Bays mix of 25kmh & 35kmh corners, decreasing radius bends blind corners etc, uphill & downhill

[Karma]

I'm thinking the mountain road leaving coromandel heading to whitianga... that's a twisty bit of road.

[Jantar]

Around the East cape. All the way from Opotoki to Gisbourne.

[inlinefour]

my favourite is Stratford, well Douglas to Wangamomina(sp) and back. Anyone who says it aint a good ride is a wuss. Sure there are others out there just as good, just not in my back yard...:corn:

[Rashika]

2) Summit Rd & Bays mix of 25kmh & 35kmh corners, decreasing radius bends blind corners etc, uphill & downhill
This has 100% my vote, and not to mention damn good views just there to put you off at times. :cool:

[Insanity_rules]

My experience it is the Akatarawas between Upper hutt and Waikanae, in fact it was my favourite road and I did it over 200 times when I lived in Paraparaumu and was a Rimituka refugee! I tell you, when you went through that road, the takas were made to feel like a 6 lane highway! :cool:

Total agreement, the aka's have got to be the most twisty narrow lil goat track I have ever seen! Doesnt stop me riding it though, lots of fun.

[WildBoarMouse]

There's a spot down in the South Island... south west area, that had the bendy road squiggle sign with 85km under it. I took a photo at the time but it's not here at work... :) It might have been between the glaciers and coming through the central part of the Haast pass. Anyone else know the area?

[erik]

The bendiest road I know of is the section of SH12 that goes through Waipoua forest (north of Dargaville). I'm not sure how many k's it is, possibly around 10km based on the map. It's corner after corner after corner, all low speed stuff (like 15-35km/h if they were signposted I would guess).
Almost too twisty, but then I prefer slightly too twisty than more open sweepers and straights.
It's twistier than the coro loop, SH22, and Scenic Drive which are the other twistiest roads I know of.

[idb]

Queen Charlotte Sound is probably the longest bendy bit I can think of.
Would be brilliant on a two fiddy or five hundred.

[sAsLEX]

takaka hill near nelson?

[James Deuce]

I'm with saslex.

[Rashika]

Queen Charlotte Sound is probably the longest bendy bit I can think of.
Would be brilliant on a two fiddy or five hundred.
ah yes, this would be vote no2... fkn hard work that road

[clint640]

I've ridden almost all the roads mentioned so far & in terms of sheer insane relentless twistyness, none of them are a patch on the 40km of tar out to Kenepuru in the Marlborough Sounds. The Queen Charlotte Drive is a cruiser riding nana's route compared to the Kenepuru road.

edit: it could have trouble meeting the criteria though as I doubt anybody apart from a factory motard riding motogp champion madman could hold a constant 30mph through it, I wouldn't have averaged much more than that & I was getting a bit of a flow on.

Cheers
Clint

[Motu]

I don't know where to start,my choices are endless - but the road around Mt Karioi at Raglan sure has some bends.You want sealed? How about the Pukeiti Rd as it goes over the spur range west of Mt Taranaki? Te Aka to Waitomo is pretty good too.

[Two Smoker]

I'm with saslex.

I too am with saslex.... havent riden it, but definately want too....

[PaddyFZ1]

....Te Aka to Waitomo is pretty good too.
Would that be Te Anga to Waitomo??? 33km and hardly a straight in sight.:not: Yeha!!!!
Just ask Lias, he will tell you just how twisty it is out there. Great road for the smaller bikes, eg 6hundys, not enough space between corners for the big bikes to stretch the legs.

[MSTRS]

I wouldn't like to say which is the bendiest road - the country is full of them. But surely the bendiest are not necessarily the best to ride on? Personally I like a nice mix, say, like the sealed sections of the Napier/Taihape or the Awakino Gorge

[NodMan]

Queen Charlotte Sound is probably the longest bendy bit I can think of.
Would be brilliant on a two fiddy or five hundred.

It aint too bad on a 750turbo either!!!

I rated it 4+1/2 outa 5
(just like Takaka hill road , Leeder Rd,some of Caitlins, and crown range road)
but you guys got too many good benders down south so I'm gunna bring all the JAFFAs south to punish them!!

I just spent three weeks searching south island for best bendy roads and my conclusions????...

NEED ANOTHER 3 YEARS TESTING TIME!!!(I mean I blew the fork seals after only three runs over the Crown Rd so need to rerun it again and again)

[slimjim]

:banana: :banana: bro's i love hitting the thames through to colville, them hills are full of wicked corners,,,huummmm lovely:apint: :apint:

[T.W.R]

Was being slightly bias posting the ChCh play ground, but they are the total package, testing roads, great views, and full-on fun.

But Queen Charlotte drive is a beauty, apart from traffic. it would be a blast if it closed off for a play one day :cool: (35km of fun)

best i've travelled in the North would be Ngaturi - Rangiwea Junction (nor-east of Wanganui) and the Wanganui River road upto Jerusalem bloody nice roads with good views but suspect surfaces

[FlyingDutchMan]

I'd have to say the crown range zig zag - I doubt you'd be able to stay on the road at a continous 30mph.

[idb]

I'd have to say the crown range zig zag - I doubt you'd be able to stay on the road at a continous 30mph.
I fell off there - I've kind of gone off it since!

[XP@]

Would that be Te Anga to Waitomo??? 33km and hardly a straight in sight.:not: Yeha!!!!
Just ask Lias, he will tell you just how twisty it is out there. Great road for the smaller bikes, eg 6hundys, not enough space between corners for the big bikes to stretch the legs.
That is an awsome road but, making the rules up as we go along, if a pillion can fall asleep on the road at any speed then it should be automatically discounted. My partner woke up about half way to Waitomo...

[XP@]

I fell off there - I've kind of gone off it since!
Ah! another member of the "I fell off on crown range club". havent gone off it though.

[nodrog]

The bendiest road I know of is the section of SH12 that goes through Waipoua forest (north of Dargaville). I'm not sure how many k's it is, possibly around 10km based on the map....

its 27ks of the most fun you can have with your pants on!!!!

[NC]

its 27ks of the most fun you can have with your pants on!!!!
You know you can buy crutchless pants/undies now.

[nodrog]

You know you can buy crutchless pants/undies now.

ha ha, thats the last thing i would want to drag on the road.

[idb]

Ah! another member of the "I fell off on crown range club". havent gone off it though.
Welcome friend!

[sAsLEX]

How about the Pukeiti Rd as it goes over the spur range west of Mt Taranaki?

Thats not too bad I dont think not very long is the killer but somw nice slow 15k corners etc, was gravel not too long ago in parts as I remeber push biking up to there and turning round due to the gravel.

http://saslex.orcon.net.nz/asdasd%20002.jpg pic taken just the other side, after one of my first rides on my new bike! :crybaby:

[Motu]

Would that be Te Anga to Waitomo??? 33km and hardly a straight in sight.:not: Yeha!!!!
.

I know the area too well - the brain sees this,and the fingers write that,weird.I can find lots of really twisty roads with tight corners,but that road is almost perfect from a road bike point of view,not too tight...you can go on and on and on stuck in 3rd gear,no need to change up or down.

[Matt Bleck]

what about the Waioeka Geogre? 58 km's of riding pleasure!!!!

[bugjuice]

what, no mention of the Coromandle loop, or even just the whitianga (sp?) to Coromandle stretch? That UK one is poooooooos. Could do it in 2 minutes..

[Two Smoker]

what, no mention of the Coromandle loop, or even just the whitianga (sp?) to Coromandle stretch? That UK one is poooooooos. Could do it in 2 minutes..

Believe it or not, whilst Coro loop is amazing (in the north island) there a better roads in the south island...

[bugjuice]

i believe, just never got the t-shirt.
just thought that stretch is a pretty full on one, mostly second gear for the majority of the good stuff

[Skyryder]

Parra Parra's for me and I'm a pig islander. That Awikino gorge is a stunner too. Shit I clipped along there when last in North Island. This was in the early evening and little traffic.

Closer to home, Chch to Akaroa good for a Sunday ride but for me it's overkill. There's some nice juicy stretches from Chch to Arthurs Pass, in fact as a ride goes that takes some beating.

Skyryder

[Toast]

I also note that the measurement is over a single mile. That hardly counts as a road. My vote would go to a stretch of road just south of Kaitaia. Aproximately 90 kms of continuous 55 kmh bends (and I think lee Rusty already knows of it).

You've got my attention. Which road is this? SH?

[pritch]

my favourite is Stratford, well Douglas to Wangamomina(sp) and back. Anyone who says it aint a good ride is a wuss.

'S a long time since I did the Akatarawa Road, I think the last time was when I had my Yamaha RT3.

Did the Akaroa Road last August and loved it.

My favourite though is SH43 which, although it'll apparently be news to John, :devil2: doesn't actually end at Whangamomona. It ends at Taumarunui and is a total buzz virtually all the way.

I would like to suggest to the other lads from the 'Naki that you give the Kaieto Cafe a go. One saddle on from Whanga, as shown on TV er KiwiRider.

[igor]

clearly u pussies don't get out enuf.

Murapara to Wairoa.
Taumaranui to Stratford
Taihape to Flaxmere
Tangimoana to Hunterville

oh silly me, its got gravel on it so can't go there. Good, i will keep it to myself

[pritch]

And then there's the Waioeka Gorge, like the Awakino but it goes for sixty odd miles. The road around East Cape. The Takaka Hill road.

If you're prepared to move your arse it's a long list.

[Unit]

Waipoua Forest for me up here but South Island its hard to beat the Bulla Gorge, first time I rode through there I had to turn around and ride back through again it was so awesome

[Hitcher]

Stratford Mountain House to the Plateau.

The inland Kaikoura road.

Westport to Karamea.

Wairoa to Ruatahuna.

[WINJA]

twilight rd is nice and twisty , scenic drive , theres a road going the long way to kare kare off piha rd and we called it the road of death try it at speed and youll see why, piha rd is twisty and off camber in places , i miss piha rd, the good thing about piha rd is there some 250+kmh stretches mixed with some tight technical corners

[Jamezo]

Makara - Johnsonville does rule, but it's not twisty enough.

For a short piece of road (2-3km?), the most severe road I have ever seen or ridden is the end downhill section of Blue Mountains Road, connecting Whitemans Valley with Silverstream. Constant severe incline, endless micro-radiused corners doubling back on each other. Fun stuff!

Another local contender is Moonshine Hill Road. Some piece of work!

[inlinefour]

'S a long time since I did the Akatarawa Road, I think the last time was when I had my Yamaha RT3.

Did the Akaroa Road last August and loved it.

My favourite though is SH43 which, although it'll apparently be news to John, :devil2: doesn't actually end at Whangamomona. It ends at Taumarunui and is a total buzz virtually all the way.

I would like to suggest to the other lads from the 'Naki that you give the Kaieto Cafe a go. One saddle on from Whanga, as shown on TV er KiwiRider.

I did it on the way back to NP on the DRZ400 after buying it in Taupo. Was much fun and I lost my numberplate, wof & reg & ruined a perfectly good tyre. I don't know about riding the CBR over that gravel stretch as I was not really going much slower over it on the DRZ compared to the sealed road...

[XP@]

I was going to make this thread in to a poll but there is a limit of 10 options.
They have been ordered according to my fuzzy recollection of north to south and I don't have a map in front of me so it prob not correct.

To narrow it down a bit, which of these have a good stretch ( more than 2.5kms ) where the use of any gear higher than second (or first) is pointless?
Or are there other gems still out there?

Also if you know the road numbers/names for them then it will probably help to make a map.

North island
1. stretch of road just south of Kaitaia
2. SH12 that goes through Waipoua forest (north of Dargaville) (Found)
3. SH25a thames through to colville (Found?)
4. Coromandle loop (Where are the twistiest sections?)
5. mountain road leaving coromandel heading to whitianga
6. Mt Karioi at Raglan
7. Te Anga to Waitomo
8. Around the East cape
9. Waioeka Gorge
10. Whangamomona
11. Murapara to Wairoa.
12. Wairoa to Ruatahuna
13. Pukeiti Rd as it goes over the spur range west of Mt Taranaki
14. Taumaranui to Stratford (found)
15. Stratford Mountain House to the Plateau.
16. Ngaturi - Rangiwea Junction (nor-east of Wanganui)
17. Napier/Taihape
18. Parra Parra's (found)
19. Wanganui River road upto Jerusalem (found)
20. Tangimoana to Hunterville
21. Awakino Gorge
22. Akatarawas between Upper hutt and Waikanae (found)
23. Blue Mountains Road, connecting Whitemans Valley with Silverstream (found)
24. Moonshine Hill Road

South Island
1. Queen Charlotte Sound (Found)
2. Kenepuru in the Marlborough Sounds
3. takaka hill near nelson (found)
4. Bulla Gorge (found)
5. The inland Kaikoura road (found)
6. Westport to Karamea
7. Akaroa Gp from Cooptown to Barry's Bay (found)
8. Summit Rd & Bays (found)
9. The Crown Range Zig Zag from the Queenstown End and the road down to Okains Bay (found)
10. Some of the Caitlins

[orangeback]

Queen Charlotte drive if you on a motard
Akaroa Gp over through Governers Bay to Devocials on any thing else

(the only way the cantab use the sides ove there tyres be for the rest ove yas):crybaby: :kick:



1. Queen Charlotte Sound
2. Kenepuru in the Marlborough Sounds
3. takaka hill near nelson
4. Bulla Gorge
5. The inland Kaikoura road
6. Westport to Karamea
7. Akaroa Gp from Cooptown to Barry's Bay
8. Summit Rd & Bays
9. The Crown Range Zig Zag from the Queenstown End and the road down to Okains Bay
10. Some of the Caitlins

[Bandit Rider]

Done most of them, best thing is we have that much choice - and not many of us too far from some great riding.

For me the Takaka Hill is hard to beat, mainly familiarity.

[Buddha#81]

takaka hill near nelson?

I lived in Upper Takaka for my first 14 years of life and all bendy roads are rated against the old home track. I love going back there, I never really drove/rode it much myself but traveled it heaps and remember it well.:yes:

[Jantar]

Add to that list the Otago peninsular roads. That is both the seaside road and the top road.

[Dazza]

Pritch spelt it right Whangamomona,you need to come out with us on your CBR,maybe Sunday the 21st around 11ez's form McFarlanes,just a thought,not confirmed yet,up to the Cafe and back to the pub.

[XP@]

Hey,

I am board...
So I have decided to make a GoogleEarth set of place marks with all the twisties linked.

But I am having problems finding some of the links. So, if you posted a link can you please use google maps to give me a better idea of where it is...

If you use the links below then zoom in and center on the road(s) of your choice. Press the "Link to this Page" link and paste it in to a message. If you want to add a description of the road (including corner speed, width of road, surface etc) that would be awsome.

North Island
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&q=WELLINGTON+new+zealand&om=1&ll=-38.496594,175.693359&spn=6.482689,21.51123

South Island
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&q=WELLINGTON+new+zealand&om=1&ll=-43.612217,171.123047&spn=5.998133,21.51123

[Edbear]

The bendiest road I know of is the section of SH12 that goes through Waipoua forest (north of Dargaville). I'm not sure how many k's it is, possibly around 10km based on the map. It's corner after corner after corner, all low speed stuff (like 15-35km/h if they were signposted I would guess).
Almost too twisty, but then I prefer slightly too twisty than more open sweepers and straights.
It's twistier than the coro loop, SH22, and Scenic Drive which are the other twistiest roads I know of.




Yeah it's the twistiest road I've been on! Bit too slow for me, though. I personally like the Coro loop. There are just so many bendy roads in NZ how can you check them all? (Okay, I know how, just wish I had the time and money...):sunny:

[aff-man]

The bendiest road I know of is the section of SH12 that goes through Waipoua forest (north of Dargaville). I'm not sure how many k's it is, possibly around 10km based on the map. It's corner after corner after corner, all low speed stuff (like 15-35km/h if they were signposted I would guess).
Almost too twisty, but then I prefer slightly too twisty than more open sweepers and straights.
It's twistier than the coro loop, SH22, and Scenic Drive which are the other twistiest roads I know of.

it's 26km(or so) of bendy goodness. And yip that is one of the twistiest I've been on

[Rashika]

Hey,

I am board...
So I have decided to make a GoogleEarth set of place marks with all the twisties linked.

But I am having problems finding some of the links. So, if you posted a link can you please use google maps to give me a better idea of where it is...

try these... I coloured the roads cos they are not easy to see... was bored too ;)
No 1 is my close fav twisty, 5 mins from home, and not too long
No 2 is the siummit road from Hilltop to Akaroa, very windy, AWESOME views...LUV it!

[XP@]

Ok, if you have GoogleEarth then check his link out

http://bbs.keyhole.com/ubb/showthreaded.php?Cat=&Number=424528&page=&vc=1&PHPSESSID=#Post424528

if not then get google earth (12Mb download) from here http://earth.google.com/

then check out the link

[Hitcher]

Ok, if you have GoogleEarth then check his link out
Omigod. Information posted by some enthusiastic wanker who can't spell. At last it's official. We're a nation of in-bred illiterates.

[XP@]

Omigod. Information posted by some enthusiastic wanker who can't spell. At last it's official. We're a nation of in-bred illiterates.
Cheers for your positive comments.

Apologies for my dyslexia, it makes spelling and reading damn near impossible, but I just about scrape through.

Oh, and guess what, I'm a P.O.M.E., but I don't think I had much control over that either.

[Hitcher]

Cheers for your positive comments.
I presumed from your post that you were talking about somebody else's contribution to Google Earth, not your own. If I had known that you were responsible I would have been more circumspect. I apologise.

[Pickle]

Surprised no-one has mentioned highway 52 from Masterton to Waipukurau or from Mangatainoka to Wimbledon awsome.
I agree with Clint about the Keneperu Rd in Marlborough sounds(29kms to Portage & something like 300 corners), also the road to Okiwi Bay from Rai Valley.
If you are into a bit of gravel try the Murapara to Wairoa Rd - before the gravel on the Murapara side is an exceptional piece of sealed rd, as the sign in my avatar says 120km winding rd.
Top House, Golden Downs to Nelson thru the forest was good.

[bladez]

Napier to gisbourn its a 200ks of twistys :first: bloody good road

[XP@]

I presumed from your post that you were talking about somebody else's contribution to Google Earth, not your own. If I had known that you were responsible I would have been more circumspect. I apologise.
Accepted :-)

[Pickle]

Napier to gisbourn its a 200ks of twistys :first: bloody good road
Good to include the inland from Wairoa thru Tiniroto to Gisborne then return to Napier. Bloody good day ride

[MattRSK]

Sorry old thread. But I had to ask. The Akatarawa's, how much gravel? Good read this thread!!:rockon:

[igor]

Sorry old thread. But I had to ask. The Akatarawa's, how much gravel? Good read this thread!!:rockon:

whats a bit of gravel ya girls blouse.

i lived in Wellington 25 years ago and it had none so unless they ripped it up it still wil have nun

so tell me do ya sit down when ya go wee's

[merv]

Makara - Johnsonville does rule, but it's not twisty enough.

For a short piece of road (2-3km?), the most severe road I have ever seen or ridden is the end downhill section of Blue Mountains Road, connecting Whitemans Valley with Silverstream. Constant severe incline, endless micro-radiused corners doubling back on each other. Fun stuff!

Another local contender is Moonshine Hill Road. Some piece of work!

Was checking to see if these are mentioned - Blue Mountains Rd is a classic -probably the tightest sequence of curves I've ever ridden on tar seal.

For a nice little back road ride we quite often go up to Te Marua then head back via Maymorn, Whitemans Valley - you can now go for a coffee at the Straw Cafe - then home down Blue Mountains Rd. On the trail bikes its sheer ecstasy, on my VFR its still fun but the body does a lot of work on the left right left.

[MattRSK]

Hey thanks igor. Not afraid of no gravel. Just curious.

[98tls]

my favourite bit of bends is the road from fox through to hokitika...awsome.Hundalees arnt to bad either.

[sugilite]

Sorry old thread. But I had to ask. The Akatarawa's, how much gravel? Good read this thread!!:rockon:
The Akatarawa's are sealed all the way.
Watch for the moss on the road through the bush climbs/descents.

I've done the Dargaville kauri forest a few times now and it is a awesome road for sure, but the Akatarawa's make that road look like a motorway. The Akatarawas are only 1.5 lanes wide for most of it and only one lane wide in a fair few places.

I'm looking forward to visiting those other roads suggested, that I've not done yet.:yes:

[sugilite]

I just got some google images of the Akatarawa's, see attached.
Photo one is quite typical on the Waikanae side.
Photo2 shows my favourite left hander on this road when heading north. The black circles show where you start and finish the leaning process. You are cranked over for a long time! As you flick it back over for the right hand switch back there is a handy wooden rail on the inside to brush a knee slider across. The X marks that spot :innocent:
Photo 3, loads of "bush" work to be done, I painted in the road with white as the photo was dark.....
I just love this road, it is my all time fave, no wonder I like technical race tracks eh:sunny:

[oldrider]

I was going to make this thread in to a poll but there is a limit of 10 options.
They have been ordered according to my fuzzy recollection of north to south and I don't have a map in front of me so it prob not correct.

To narrow it down a bit, which of these have a good stretch ( more than 2.5kms ) where the use of any gear higher than second (or first) is pointless?
Or are there other gems still out there?

Also if you know the road numbers/names for them then it will probably help to make a map.

North island
1. stretch of road just south of Kaitaia
2. SH12 that goes through Waipoua forest (north of Dargaville) (Found)
3. SH25a thames through to colville (Found?)
4. Coromandle loop (Where are the twistiest sections?)
5. mountain road leaving coromandel heading to whitianga
6. Mt Karioi at Raglan
7. Te Anga to Waitomo
8. Around the East cape
9. Waioeka Gorge
10. Whangamomona
11. Murapara to Wairoa.
12. Wairoa to Ruatahuna
13. Pukeiti Rd as it goes over the spur range west of Mt Taranaki
14. Taumaranui to Stratford (found)
15. Stratford Mountain House to the Plateau.
16. Ngaturi - Rangiwea Junction (nor-east of Wanganui)
17. Napier/Taihape
18. Parra Parra's (found)
19. Wanganui River road upto Jerusalem (found)
20. Tangimoana to Hunterville
21. Awakino Gorge
22. Akatarawas between Upper hutt and Waikanae (found)
23. Blue Mountains Road, connecting Whitemans Valley with Silverstream (found)
24. Moonshine Hill Road

South Island
1. Queen Charlotte Sound (Found)
2. Kenepuru in the Marlborough Sounds
3. takaka hill near nelson (found)
4. Bulla Gorge (found)
5. The inland Kaikoura road (found)
6. Westport to Karamea
7. Akaroa Gp from Cooptown to Barry's Bay (found)
8. Summit Rd & Bays (found)
9. The Crown Range Zig Zag from the Queenstown End and the road down to Okains Bay (found)
10. Some of the Caitlins
Add on the road to Milford sound it has some interesting moments too!

[98tls]

the road from fox to hokitika is a classic......

[petesmeats]

My experience it is the Akatarawas between Upper hutt and Waikanae, in fact it was my favourite road and I did it over 200 times when I lived in Paraparaumu and was a Rimituka refugee! I tell you, when you went through that road, the takas were made to feel like a 6 lane highway! :cool:

Yep i would agree with this one... ridiculously bendy... and narrow... and fun... and safe... could never go fast enough to break the 100k limit.

I havnt ridden it for a while but still like to do it when im at home. (Good loop: Waikanae-upper hut via aka's, Lower hut-Pauatahanui, Pauatahanui to Paekak via Paekak hill rd, back home to pram...) Used to be better (more legal) though before the sorry bastards lowered the speed limit over paekak hill rd to 70...:nono: :gob: :sick: :yawn: :innocent:

["D" FZ1]

The Parapara's. 56 kms of twisty fun. Just watch out for falling rocks :ride:

[marty]

i driven the akatarawa's a dozen times, on the way to the karapoti mostly - would be awesome on an RS250 or similar.

coro loop - not too twistie, but coming down to whangapoa from the top of the hill out of coro is pretty cool, as is across the ridge top just north of tairua.

papaparas are outstanding

karangahake gorge (80k...grrrr)

buckland rd :)

kawhia rd :)

kaitaia - turn off past the hospital and head down to the rawene ferry, then across and down to dargaville

western bypass whakamaru to turangi

[MattRSK]

I just got some google images of the Akatarawa's, see attached.
Photo one is quite typical on the Waikanae side.
Photo2 shows my favourite left hander on this road when heading north. The black circles show where you start and finish the leaning process. You are cranked over for a long time! As you flick it back over for the right hand switch back there is a handy wooden rail on the inside to brush a knee slider across. The X marks that spot :innocent:
Photo 3, loads of "bush" work to be done, I painted in the road with white as the photo was dark.....
I just love this road, it is my all time fave, no wonder I like technical race tracks eh:sunny:

Hey thanks for that. I plan to do that soon.

[marty]

just realised - there is no similar.....................

[Kornholio]

takaka hill near nelson?

OH FUCK YES!!!! Never been over it on a bike but goddam that is one tight twisty hill....especially the series of hairpins on the Collingwood side :doobey:

[Rashika]

OH FUCK YES!!!! Never been over it on a bike but goddam that is one tight twisty hill....especially the series of hairpins on the Collingwood side :doobey:
my dad went over recently on his revived XJ600, took it pretty damn slow cos of the ice, got near the top and his throttle had stuck open, stopped to check it out and stepped onto several inches of ice. Luckily lots of grit in the ice, which actually gave good grip. He ended up having to travel down the other side with his brakes on, till they gave out and he had to stop. One of the slowest trips over there he reckoned, usually a great ride...he is local.

[pzkpfw]

The Parapara's. 56 kms of twisty fun. Just watch out for falling rocks :ride:

...and Goats!

[XP@]

papaparas are outstanding
Nice road but way too much like a motorway

karangahake gorge (80k...grrrr)
If an 80 limit is of concern then we need to be looking at a tighter road.
Think 15k to 25k corners, lots of them and all next to each other.

buckland rd :)
where?

kawhia rd :)
where?

[Les]

The Karamea Bluff north of Westport heading to Karamea. One of the best roads in the country for a middleweight bike. Lots of challenging corners with varying cambers and hairpins aplenty. Not much other traffic either.

[Qkchk]

I also note that the measurement is over a single mile. That hardly counts as a road. My vote would go to a stretch of road just south of Kaitaia. Aproximately 90 kms of continuous 55 kmh bends (and I think lee Rusty already knows of it).
A good place to do 'ya time on your 250 til you get your full licence'. The stretch of road would be the Maungamuka Gorge which is approx 15min south of Kaitaia. (I would know, I've lived up there for 25 years) Full on riding!

I would like to put forward my recommendation of 'Old Russell Road' (north of Whangarei) if no one else has (cant be fagged looking through the whole thread) Just ask the Norfland crew and Qkkid.......

[marty]

buckland rd, off karapiro towards matamata - hobbit country where they shot LOTR.

kawhia rd. on the way to kawhia....

[Blairos]

OH FUCK YES!!!! Never been over it on a bike but goddam that is one tight twisty hill....especially the series of hairpins on the Collingwood side :doobey:

You mean this?

When I was a kid at Nelson College, I went over this road to see my family in a Newmans Bus that many times, I lost count - but will definitely be doing this road on the Feb Sth Island Safari

Another road is the Cobb Valley Road (the pic shows the beginning of it in yellow, off to the left side) - certainly worth a mention...

[The_Dover]

looks fairly twisty to me.

noice.

[Blairos]

looks fairly twisty to me.

noice.

And the climb takes you to about 2400 feet (791 metres) above sea level at the summit! :rockon: :ride:

[XP@]

You mean this?

When I was a kid at Nelson College, I went over this road to see my family in a Newmans Bus that many times, I lost count - but will definitely be doing this road on the Feb Sth Island Safari

Another road is the Cobb Valley Road (the pic shows the beginning of it in yellow, off to the left side) - certainly worth a mention...
I have it here, But I have it labled as the Takaka Hill (SH60) is that correct?
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&q=new+zealand&om=1&ie=UTF8&ll=-41.042171,172.945619&spn=0.020457,0.086775

[XP@]

Add on the road to Milford sound it has some interesting moments too!
Where abouts?
I had a look but coundn't find anything really twisty.

If you go to this link:
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&q=new+zealand&om=1&ie=UTF8&ll=-45.067701,167.783203&spn=0.878758,2.776794
Zoom in to a juicy section of twisties
Use the Hybrid button to see the roads and images to check the road really is that twisty.
click on the link "Link to this page"
wait for the page to re-load
copy the link in the address bar
post or pm me the link, and I will add it to the list.

[XP@]

the road from fox to hokitika is a classic......
where abouts? please see above post :-)

I have some time to collect and update the list at the moment so good suggestions welcome, but please use google maps to point out the best spots

[XP@]

Google Earth File (Updated) : http://bbs.keyhole.com/ubb/showthreaded.php?Cat=&Number=424528&page=&vc=1&PHPSESSID=#Post424528
Download Google Earth: http://earth.google.com/

I still need some more details for many of the North Island roads (and possibly undescovered South Island beauties). So if you know where to find the best in riding then please post a google map link (see previous post for instructions)

North island
1. stretch of road just south of Kaitaia
2. SH12 that goes through Waipoua forest (north of Dargaville) (Found)
3. SH25a thames through to colville (Found?)
4. Coromandle loop (Where are the twistiest sections?)
5. mountain road leaving coromandel heading to whitianga
6. Mt Karioi at Raglan
7. Te Anga to Waitomo
8. Around the East cape
9. Waioeka Gorge
10. Whangamomona
11. Murapara to Wairoa.
12. Wairoa to Ruatahuna
13. Pukeiti Rd as it goes over the spur range west of Mt Taranaki
14. Taumaranui to Stratford (found)
15. Stratford Mountain House to the Plateau.
16. Ngaturi - Rangiwea Junction (nor-east of Wanganui)
17. Napier/Taihape
18. Parra Parra's (found)
19. Wanganui River road upto Jerusalem (found)
20. Tangimoana to Hunterville
21. Awakino Gorge
22. Akatarawas between Upper hutt and Waikanae (found)
23. Blue Mountains Road, connecting Whitemans Valley with Silverstream (found)
24. Moonshine Hill Road

South Island
1. Queen Charlotte Sound (Found)
2. Kenepuru in the Marlborough Sounds (Found)
3. takaka hill Upper Takaka (found)
3. takaka hill Kairuru (found)
4. Bulla Gorge (found)
5. The inland Kaikoura road (found)
6. Westport to Karamea (Found)
7. Akaroa Gp from Cooptown to Barry's Bay (found)
8. Summit Rd & Bays (found)
9. The Crown Range Zig Zag from the Queenstown End and the road down to Okains Bay (found)
10. Some of the Caitlins

[DougB]

The bit below Kaitaia? Yes it is twisty fun, I have fond memories of that road before they "straitened it out???"
It was a metal road and on some corners buses and trucks had to back and take two shots to get round. Them were the days, I lived in Kaitaia and went through the gorge to get to my parents place in Kawakawa. Each trip was an adventure. Once I hit a pach of pure mud going very slowly. I have no idea what happened,but arms and legs were shooting out every where I ended up sedatily going back the way I had come. Some construction workers who witnessed this near pissed themselves laughing.
On another occasion the clay mud built up under my mudguard. The bike slid through the clay with the wheel locked solid but as soon as I hit the hard stuff it stoped me dead. The good old AJS ended up upside down balanced on my ex army kit bag slung asross the rear carrier.

After I married and the road had been improved and sealed I had many an enjoyable ride through there with wifee on behind.

I very much recomend this road.

[InDeSkyz]

The bendiest road I know of is the section of SH12 that goes through Waipoua forest (north of Dargaville).

I was going to mention this too. It's actually so windy for me, that the last 3 times I have done it in the last year, I have felt sick for nearly an hour afterwards (I havent had car-motion sickness since a kid).

[N4CR]

Fern Glen rd... have a look at that one. I doubt there is anything twistier ;) it's my home turf. But it ain't long. 2 lanes are about 1 normal lane wide. Hehehehe. Massively off camber hairpin and mostly greater than 90 degree corners.

[quackquack]

Old Pinacle hill which goes from clevdon over the bombays

Also woodcock road which takes you from warkworth to SH16 well worth the ride and a good change from the wellsford run

[Fatjim]

The Akatarawa's are sealed all the way.
Watch for the moss on the road through the bush climbs/descents.

I've done the Dargaville kauri forest a few times now and it is a awesome road for sure, but the Akatarawa's make that road look like a motorway. The Akatarawas are only 1.5 lanes wide for most of it and only one lane wide in a fair few places.

I'm looking forward to visiting those other roads suggested, that I've not done yet.:yes:

I was thinking if they spent some of the the Transmission gully money on making the Aka's 2 lanes the whole way that would have make it one awesome way to start the trip to Manfield.

Shame it would mean more traffic on it, but quite a bit you can't go balls out because it's so narrow and there's nowhere to go if a car/bike comes the other way

[XP@]

HELP ME PLEASE!!!

I can't find these roads, I live in my own little world and need a bit of help!!

Can you use google maps.google.com links to give me some idea where the hell they are?