Taihape-Napier road?

[marks]

wots this like?

Would you classify it as a worthwhile ride?

Was thinking of Wgtn - Shannon Ashurst then via back roads to Taihape then over Taihape Napier Rd and then meander back home. Spend a weekend doing it mid March (15th/16th)? - maybe squeeze in Makiro on the way back if time allows

thoughts?

[tri boy]

On a fine day, the views on top of the range are great. The climb to the top from Taihape is flowing, and the country changes on the Hawkes Bay side also.
Worth a look for sure. MHO

[MSTRS]

A great ride. 35ks of gravel is adventure bike heaven. The rest of it (sealed, and in good condition) is sprotsbike heaven. Check your map for all the alternative roads to get to/from though...the main roads are just boooorrriiinnnnggg.

[javahead]

The Ashurst-Taihape back road section is equally worthwhile - roads are pretty straightforward gravel/seal but some of the views are remarkable.

[Rosie]

wots this like?

Would you classify it as a worthwhile ride?

We did it on boxing day, heading home from Hawkes bay. Parts had just been graded and covered with big chunks of übergravel, but otherwise it was a really good ride - scenic, plenty of corners (on and off the gravel), a few nice places to stop (had it not been for the freezing cold rain).

[mazz1972]

Did it in late January from Taihape to Hastings.

Lovely windy roads, bit of road works but not much. Unfortunately for us it iwas drizzling after the first 40kms and we were riding in cloud alot of the time, so no lovely view or scenic stops for us!

The gravel was pretty good, although the last stretch had quite bad degradations (is that what you call them?) but it's only a few kms.

Despite the weather it was way easier than we thought it would be.....not steep like we were expecting. Will do it again sometime when the weather is good.

Definately take the back roads from Ashhurst-Taihape, they are awesome. We went through the Wairarapa back roads on the way home.

[marks]

Thanks for the feedback everyone.

Any estimates of how far is it between petrol stations?

the DT runs dry at about 180KM - am I going to need extra gas?

[MSTRS]

You have gas in Taihape and then not until Hastings (Omahu Rd) or Taradale (Gloucester St). That's about 150kms...

[mazz1972]

I concur you will have no gas probs as long as you fill up at Taihape first.

Hows about you post some photos after your trip, I'd love to actually see the views, even if it is through someone else's camera! Have a great ride.

[Zukin]

Hi Marks

I would start in Taihape then do it in this order
Go South on the Main road and hang a left at Ohotu (follow the signs to the Bungy jump) and then follow the gravel road all the way to the Napier Taihape road

I guesstimate it to be 140 -150kms from Taihape to Taradale this way and it is a much better ride, mostly gravel and complete with fords etc :niceone:

Maps attached

[tri boy]

Lovely windy roads, bit of road works but not much. Unfortunately for us it iwas drizzling after the first 40kms and we were riding in cloud alot of the time, so no lovely view or scenic stops for us!

That seems to be quite common for that neck of the woods.
I would pick a weekend that has a big fat anti cyclone parked over the nth island if good views are required.
It gets really gusty up there also. The shepards lay flat on the ground to roll a smoke.:lol:

If your heading up that way mark, give us a PM.:cool:

[marks]

I'm planning on doing this on the weekend of 15th/16th March.

I intend to maybe stay Friday night in Taihape and take Zukins suggested route over the hill and stay somewhere in the Napier Hastings area on Sat night before heading down to Woodville maybe via Middle Rd from Havelock and along the coastal(ish) roads to Pahiatua then accoss the saddle and down to Shannon and on home.

I like to allow for plenty of "oooh whats down this side road" type of excursions.

Anyone who wants to tag along is welcome.

Gunna (scramber) says hes coming but I will believe that when I see it.

Speeds will not be excessive (DT230 remember).

If the weather turns shitty I will bail

cheers


Mark

[tri boy]

15-16/3, maybe. Rapa Hill Climb/overnighter happening then, but if Kanny is up for a Gentle Annie assault I could be persuaded maybe.
Staying in Taihape aye. Things go "Bump" in the night there too. (normally gumboots thrown at ya window).

[Grub]

I'm planning on doing this on the weekend of 15th/16th March.

Hey Mark, on that weekend we've ended up organising a ride Wellington-Hawkes Bay-Taupo-Taihape-Feilding-Welly ride called The Great Lower North Island Loop Ride. (link) (http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=68242). If you were ok with doing your ride from the HB to Taihape, you could join us from Welly and meet up again on Sunday on the other side for the ride home

[mazz1972]

Hi Marks

I would start in Taihape then do it in this order
Go South on the Main road and hang a left at Ohotu (follow the signs to the Bungy jump) and then follow the gravel road all the way to the Napier Taihape road

I guesstimate it to be 140 -150kms from Taihape to Taradale this way and it is a much better ride, mostly gravel and complete with fords etc :niceone:

Maps attached

That looks like part of the route the annual mountain bike ride takes. Never thought of going that way meself.....probably because I'm crap on gravel.

[mazz1972]

I'm planning on doing this on the weekend of 15th/16th March.

I intend to maybe stay Friday night in Taihape and take Zukins suggested route over the hill and stay somewhere in the Napier Hastings area on Sat night before heading down to Woodville maybe via Middle Rd from Havelock and along the coastal(ish) roads to Pahiatua then accoss the saddle and down to Shannon and on home.


I thought Middle Road was over-rated. I guess if I didn't ride like a nana I might have enoyed it more. I ca see why speedy sports bike riders would enjoy it. I like roads a bit more windy than that. Still it is a good alternative to the highway which can be notoriously busy with loads of trucks.

Can highly recommend the flying fox at gravity canyon!!

[Bonez]

That seems to be quite common for that neck of the woods.
I would pick a weekend that has a big fat anti cyclone parked over the nth island if good views are required.
It gets really gusty up there also. The shepards lay flat on the ground to roll a smoke.:lol:

If your heading up that way mark, give us a PM.:cool:Ditto.

Yip gets gusty alright. Le Trog got blown over on it's last trip over it.

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=58906&highlight=Napier+taihape

I'm a nana gravel/road rider btw.

[marks]

I thought Middle Road was over-rated. Still it is a good alternative to the highway which can be notoriously busy with loads of trucks.

Middle road is nothing special but a million times better than the(any) main road. Actually I just looked at my maps I there is a much more interesting option....

Head out of Havelock North towards Ocean Beach and then follow Kahurunaki rd to Elsthorpe then out to the coast and along Mangakuri Rd to Omakere then along the coastal route all the way down to Akito then inland to Pongaroa (nice bacon and egg sandwiches at corner store :)) then onto the awesome Towai Rd and then via the Mikiro track to Pahiatua then over the saddle rd and home via Shannon.

It would be a longish day but I can live with that if the weather cooperates.