Roads around Auckland

[xwhatsit]

'Lo,

I'm a complete beginner to this sort of stuff, but I'm coming to realise I enjoy riding on light gravel. `Adventure' type stuff, you know -- Triumph Scrambler sort of roading. I'm lucky that I own a bike that's capable of riding these roads, despite nominally being a road bike.

Are there any good gravel roads around Auckland I can practise on? None of my maps seem to tell me very much, and most of the time don't give any information on road surface.

Cheers.

[Ixion]

The middle road from Waiwera to Wellsford is a good one.

[xwhatsit]

If I'm looking at the same thing on the map (it heads out north-west right after Waiwera) that does look good.

Shorter (and closer to South Auckland -- for before-work pootles) roads also considered.

[Crisis management]

We're a bit limited there....it being a city and all!

Get hold of the AA maps ($3.99) each as they show all the sealed and unsealed roads locally.

North: Riverhead to Ararimu Valley road, Inland road and then everything between there and Puhoi. Hours of unsealed fun to be had, the Art of Cheese at Puhoi is to be recommended for coffee!

South: Pokeno to Port Waikato on Klondyke road and then everything between there and Raglan.

Nothing really closer unfortunately unless you try the earthworks at Mangere / Hillsborough as you go past? :whistle:

Be prepared for 4 hours minimum for these rides.

[vifferman]

"The Motorcycling Atlas of NooZild" (or whatever it's called) shows good roads for motorbicycling, and whether they're sealed or not.
Dunnit?

[R6_kid]

hey dude... head up SH16, before you get to Kaukapakapa turn right down Kahikitea Flats road, when you get to Waitoki take the road the goes off to the left on the 45kmh corner opposite what used to be a gas station. This turns to gravel and will take you up into the forrests west of waiwera and orewa - was fun on ZXR250, i'm sure you'll like it. Just keep an eye out for logging trucks!

We couldnt find our way out and werent liking our chances so we back tracked to Waitoki. Take a map with ya!

[Big Dave]

I'll show you some.
I'll ping you next time I'm buellin.

[DEATH_INC.]

If ya head through old north road onto 16, then hook a right towards dairy flat, take a left at waitoke, up waitoke road, it turns to metal after a few k's and you can go through to Puhoi etc from there. Last time I did it was a few years back, at about 1am on a FZR thou....it was a bit of a goat track, but be a bit of fun on an adventure bike ....

[Ixion]

If ya head through old north road onto 16, then hook a right towards dairy flat, take a left at waitoke, up waitoke road, it turns to metal after a few k's and you can go through to Puhoi etc from there. Last time I did it was a few years back, at about 1am on a FZR thou....it was a bit of a goat track, but be a bit of fun on an adventure bike ....

That's the start of the Middle Road.

[xwhatsit]

Cheers guys. All noted down and filed away.

BD: Sweet, just so long as we stay away from Parnell. The chefs from work are still shit-scared you're going to turn up and steal their women or something.

[Motu]

Closer to you would be to head east,through the gorge to Hunua,about 5km past Hunua turn left up to the dams.There won't be much traffic and you can play around a bit.

[Ixion]

But do any of those dam roads actually go anywhere? All the ones I go up there nowdays just end up in a dead end with a bloody ARC fence .

You can also go down the Ness Valley road and up that side. But same problem, you can't get through to the connecting roads, even thou they're shown as public roads on the map. Bloody toads.

[xwhatsit]

Ixion -- no blaspheming please.

If they're public roads, that means Queen's Highway yada yada yada stern letter legalese yippee! gates open. Or something?

Did somebody say Hunua? :drool:

Well I'm going to go watch Rumble Fish to get in the mood. Thanks.

[MaxB]

+1 on the Waitoki-Puhoi road, tis good.

On the Southside you are in a race against time. A lot of the backroads around Alfriston and Manurewa are now sealed. Try out the back of the airport if you just want to get your skills up but those little side roads don't go anywhere. The Hunuas are criss crossed by all sorts of legal roads but just try and use them. Often they are gated or barred.

Maybe head out past Papakura towards Waiuku and heaps of the side roads are unsealed but they are only a few ks long.

[$CENSLS1$]

Plenty of gravel roads out the back of Waitoki, Puhoi, Waiwera, Kaukapapa that have kept me entertained all year long. There's another bunch of goodies out Leigh, Matakana area that'll take you through to Mangawai if you're really keen.Might be a bit far for a 'before work toodle' but they're worth checking out. (I'd be out there today if I wasn't working!!!)

[99TLS]

raglan rd not sealed down this way, 45 kms approx unsealed :2thumbsup

[Ixion]

I found today that the bastards have sealed the road to Orere Point! When did *that* happen ?

Things are getting to a fine state these days, one can't even leave a wee road unattended for a moment without some bugger sneaking in and raping it. Just about have to mount a permanent guard.

I did also poke my nose down the road to Tapabanga Regional Park (not quite that name , but near as, next door but one to Orere). Niceish bit of gravel.but like all ARC commandeered places, it doesn't go anywhere, just locked gates. Found a very pretty little spot by a stream though, lovely place for a picnic or a shag.

[xwhatsit]

Can we just ride around these gates?

I went over to Devonport today, met the girl. She wanted to go up North Head -- I'd brought the other helmet -- so we went up up up. Carpark! Feck. Still ages to walk up. Spotted a road, but it had a locked gate. Rode around it, went right to the top of North Head and parked bike on the Helipad. Security guard just looked amused.

[Crisis management]

I can understand your frustration with gates but bear in mind that the more we abuse "locked gates" the more gates get locked. You've got to think of other users as well as yourself.
If you need lots of gravel head down the coast from Port Waikato and you can spend 2 days on gravel (well almost). Use up all these resources before you start jumping over gates.......please.

[windboy]

well said crisis... (or maybe if you get through the gates, just don't tell anyone and do it after 11pm :shit:, that's what I do along a bmx track by where I live and the odd gravel track in the golf course!!!)

The "raping" of our beautiful roads has been happening around the puhoi-waiwera-waitoki too... Every time I go it gets more and more "sealed"... :no:

Being far south I wouldn't bother coming up this way if I were you; head to port waikato and besides the west coast rd that goes all the way to raglan harbour you also have hundreds of km of gravel inland, keep an eye on the forestry trucks and cattle...

And of course don't miss klondyke from just out of pokeno to port waikato....

later,

[Bass]

And of course don't miss klondyke from just out of pokeno to port waikato....

later,

I suspect that you meant Onewhero rather than Pokeno

[windboy]

I suspect that you meant Onephero rather than Pokeno

Maybe, not too sure?

after the tuakau bridge don't turn towards Pt waikato but do a right after the intersection uphill and it's maybe 5min before you find klonedyke on the right hand (very easy to miss)

later,

[Bass]

Maybe, not too sure?

after the tuakau bridge don't turn towards Pt waikato but do a right after the intersection uphill and it's maybe 5min before you find klonedyke on the right hand (very easy to miss)

later,

Yep Onewhero, when I finally get my spelling right.

[Pixie]

If ya head through old north road onto 16, then hook a right towards dairy flat, take a left at waitoke, up waitoke road, it turns to metal after a few k's and you can go through to Puhoi etc from there. Last time I did it was a few years back, at about 1am on a FZR thou....it was a bit of a goat track, but be a bit of fun on an adventure bike ....

Old North rd - Ararimu valley rd - Bald hill Rd - forestry rd - Waitoki (it's still a gas station) waitoki rd (sealed) from there are dozens of unsealed roads going north ,east and west

[Pixie]

The Hunuas are criss crossed by all sorts of legal roads but just try and use them. Often they are gated or barred.



Coz they don't want dead bikers contaminating the water catchment

[Pixie]

I found today that the bastards have sealed the road to Orere Point! When did *that* happen ?



about 30 years ago :laugh:

[tri boy]

I can understand your frustration with gates but bear in mind that the more we abuse "locked gates" the more gates get locked. You've got to think of other users as well as yourself.
If you need lots of gravel head down the coast from Port Waikato and you can spend 2 days on gravel (well almost). Use up all these resources before you start jumping over gates.......please.

Sounds like a Kawhia Bach overnighter is on the cards soon.:clap:
Get a bit of gravel under the RS's wheels xer,(maybe a cheap set of B/stone dual rubber will be the go), but don't worry about being a pro at it. (most of us still wobble our way around also).
I will post a overnighter at Kawhia in Feb, and Crisis and windboy etc(plus any others) are more than welcome to sup wine, ride gravel and enjoy the views from the deck.:yes:

[xwhatsit]

Point taken about jumping gates. It's this funny compulsion I have, like `ENTRY' and `EXIT' signs at a service station. Always have this urge to go in via the exit :laugh: However, I shall gallantly resist the temptation.

Was exploring some of the (dead end) gravel roads around the airport after work tonight. Was going down one straight piece of road at about 50kph and a YUGE rabbit bounded across right in front of me. Was standing up on the pegs at the time (it is possible despite the drop-bars) thankfully, so was able to keep upright and ride it out, but still very scary. Rabbit somehow crawled off out of my view. Don't think it'll live. Cleaned a fair bit of blood and fur off the headers and guard when I got home. Thankfully new boots are fine.

Was around late dusk, which I suppose has something to do with it. Not a hazard I've come across before, unless you count suicidal pedestrians. Correct technique just to straighten up and ride it out like I did?

[warewolf]

Correct technique just to straighten up and ride it out like I did?Yes. Hit it just like any other obstacle: power on, weight back, try to lift the front over it.

Never hit an animal under brakes; don't kill yourself trying to be kind to the animal. Brake like mad beforehand, sure, but as for other bumps come off the brakes before impact.

[Ixion]

At least you have wire spoke wheels. With alloy wheels, the buggers dive THROUGH the wheel. Then get clobbered by one of the spokes , hooked up and carried up and around. Which puts the wheel frantically out of balance and causes quite remarkable handling whilst trying to slow down.

[Rosie]

Hit it just like any other obstacle: power on, weight back, try to lift the front over it.

:yes: :niceone: And keep looking where you want to go.

[Big Dave]

Well that was a nice little tour d'roadworks.

We did a 200km zig zag to the north of the city.

Encountered significant road works on almost every dirt road traversed. Including one of the target roads - Inland rd to helensville being closed completely. A lot of them ain't going to be dirt much longer.

next time we go further north and do the tapora peninsula. much fast dirt

as it was we ended up doing plenty of dirt back of Puhoi and some stunning sportsbike roads too.

I loves mah Buell.

you did great Xwhatsit. drop bars and road tyres and I didn't have to wait long.

Some goobers need a GS650 to do what you dun.

[xwhatsit]

Haha I like that second photo. I'm pinching it, stuff your intellectual property yada yada :D

That was mega fun. Thanks Mr Dave!

Yep, got to love old cycles, the original `dual purpose' bikes. Do anything (slowly).

[tri boy]

Go get em X'er:headbang:
The little RS with some trail wings and different bars will surprise a few people.
The XL based engine is perfect for the job, as is the light weight and minimal fancy bits hanging off it.:yes:

Good on Dave for getting you out there.:niceone:
Next social adv ride has a space reserved for ya.:scooter:
Maybe even that big Aussie Bloke will do a show if deadlines allow.(huh....huh....will ya??).

[Big Dave]

see how we go Triboy - would like to say gday sometime

thats all right Xwhatever - I'm going to put the one you took on ADV sans credit.:2guns:

and yeah you are right about the lil honda - there is a bloke that does the capital coast on a CB200 and he's quite quick.

[Rosie]

Next social adv ride has a space reserved for ya.:scooter:

We should have a 250cc adventure ride :clap:
Bigger bikes would be allowed to come if they transported our beer and cooked our meals :whistle:

[tri boy]

That is such a cool idea.:clap: And I think I know the perfect place for the o/nighter.:whistle: Starts with "Car", ends with "phia", and has bach on the end.
( accom, sleeps about 12, shower/shit house/washing facilities, good kitchen etc),
I feel a cunning plan developing.:soon:

Be nice to get as many 250 newby's on their steeds along. :clap: Late Feb/early march would be a good time to aim for.
Will see what I can sort out.:msn-wink:

[Crisis management]

Good on you Xerses & BD, great riding out that way even if we are running out of gravel.....try down Muriwai beach next time?

Make an effort to get to Tri-boys kawhia hide out, be a great way to meet the rest of us nana riders!

I'm keeping an eye out for the little silver Honda, Xerses, but haven't spotted you yet on the bridge.

[NordieBoy]

Haha I like that second photo. I'm pinching it, stuff your intellectual property yada yada :D

That was mega fun. Thanks Mr Dave!

Yep, got to love old cycles, the original `dual purpose' bikes. Do anything (slowly).

Go the road XR! :headbang:

[Big Dave]

Personally chaps - i find riding on sand about the most miserable thing you can do on a motorcycle.

Cross it if I have to, will never choose it.

[Bikernereid]

If ypu don't mind a bit of a treck then there is a 5k gravel road which you might find fun. I don;t know where it is excatly but contact OWNER as he should be able to tell you there it is. Hope this helps.


'Lo,

I'm a complete beginner to this sort of stuff, but I'm coming to realise I enjoy riding on light gravel. `Adventure' type stuff, you know -- Triumph Scrambler sort of roading. I'm lucky that I own a bike that's capable of riding these roads, despite nominally being a road bike.

Are there any good gravel roads around Auckland I can practise on? None of my maps seem to tell me very much, and most of the time don't give any information on road surface.

Cheers.

[warewolf]

Personally chaps - i find riding on sand about the most miserable thing you can do on a motorcycle.Somebody slap me, I've just signed up for some beach racing :shit:

I'd rate sand as way more enjoyable than slick clay. :shutup:

[windboy]

...Some goobers need a GS650 to do what you dun.

and some other goobers need a buel! :Pokey:



Personally chaps - i find riding on sand about the most miserable thing you can do on a motorcycle.

Cross it if I have to, will never choose it.

ditto but still enjoy it heaps... it's about the workout I guess.

how does the belt drive handle it??

[Big Dave]

and some other goobers need a buel! :Pokey:




ditto but still enjoy it heaps... it's about the workout I guess.

how does the belt drive handle it??

I think it's OK. I've not done enough for an objective assessment.

It's easier just to let your tyres down to 5lbs and ride on the road. Same feeing.

[NordieBoy]

Somebody slap me, I've just signed up for some beach racing :shit:

Got a tether kill switch hooked up?

[warewolf]

Got a tether kill switch hooked up?Not yet, ordered one.

[trustme]

Back on Track. The kaipara Hills Rd, a great road for 250 riders as it is tight & windy so power/speed is not an issue The Kaipara Hills Rd , runs from Glorit on SH16 to Kaipara Flats.
Work it in as part of a loop starting just nth of Kaukapakapa turn off to Kanohi work up to the Makarau valley & on to Woodcocks Rd , through the tight twisties on Woodcocks , up to Kaipara Flats.Kaipara Hills rd to Glorit then up SH16 to Tauhoa , turn rt & head back to Kaipara Flats repeat Woodcocks back to the the bottom of the twitsties , turn left & back to Puhoi in time for beer o'clock, head home via Krippner Rd or the Upper Waiwera Rd [the better one]. The AA maps are best ,get them & go exploring.
Check out my lunch box GPS, we cut AA maps into strips 1 x lunch box for Nth Is ,1 x Sth Is , works a treat even if it does look goofy
Like Ed said its not the size of the adventure it is the fact that you are having one
http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee62/trustme_photos/IMG_2031.jpg