Good Rotorua/BOP roads?

[twistemotion]

A couple of mates and I will be staying around Lake Rotoiti over Labour weekend. I've studied the NZ M/C Atlas and have marked the routes that Peter Mitchell recommends on these Google Maps (except the Murupara-Rotorua bit which I added):

Rotorua - Mangakino - Karapiro - Tauranga - Rotorua:
http://maps.google.co.nz/maps?f=d&saddr=SH+5%3BSH+30&daddr=Waipapa+Rd+to:Oreipunga+Rd+to:Maungatautari+ Rd+to:Tirau+Rd+to:Okoroire+Rd+to:SH+29+to:Te+Ngae+ Rd+to:-38.161387,176.253448&hl=en&geocode=FaSauf0dwEqBCg%3BFaU5tv0dk-J5Cg%3BFbskvP0d5id4Cg%3BFUe6vP0d5it4Cg%3BFb_4vP0d9 kN4Cg%3BFaC-vP0dZDB6Cg%3BFa41wP0d0mx_Cg%3BFbO5uv0db4iCCg%3B&mra=dme&mrcr=3&mrsp=8&sz=15&via=2,3,5,7&dirflg=h&sll=-38.163716,176.2498&sspn=0.024665,0.055618&ie=UTF8&ll=-38.096741,176.091614&spn=0.790024,1.779785&z=10

Rotorua - Edgecumbe - Murupara - Rotorua:
http://maps.google.co.nz/maps?f=d&saddr=Te+Ngae+Rd&daddr=Manawahe+Rd+to:Caverhill+Rd+to:Kopuriki+Rd+t o:-38.15582,176.263447&hl=en&geocode=FZbfuf0dJKCBCg%3BFeo5vP0dfGmHCg%3BFQxHvf0d uReJCg%3BFQw8tf0d0CSICg%3B&mra=dme&mrcr=2&mrsp=4&sz=14&via=1&dirflg=h&sll=-38.140227,176.302757&sspn=0.049347,0.111237&ie=UTF8&ll=-38.161556,176.557159&spn=0.789322,1.779785&z=10

For now, what I'd like to know from guys who know the area, is if any of these routes are not advisable at the moment due to roadworks/slips, etc.
Also, are there better alternative roads you can recommend? Two of the bikes have road tyres fitted, so we'd like to stick to sealed roads as much as possible. Cheers!

[Cajun]

both routes be fine for road bikes
some good mix of straight boring bits, and some nice twistys, most are off main sh which is even better

shouldn't be any problems

[BOGAR]

The second option is a good one. Especially along between Caverhill Rd and Kopuriki Rd. Getting back to Rotorua is a bit boring but good. The other option over the kaimai (SH29) is almost worth getting to the top turning around and going back down to do it again. Great bit of road. SH 36 is good at the moment and for the most part is fast just watch the gorge in the middle as i have often seen diesel on some of the corners otherwise a bit of fun too.

[vifferman]

With the second option, it's probably worthwhile turning right from Lake Rotoiti and heading north, then go left just past Mourea township onto Hamurana Road to go around the top of Lake Rotorua. Just past Ngongotaha township (at the big roundabout) turn right onto SH5, then about 1km along crack a left onto Paradise Valley Road, follow this to you get to Pukehangi Road on the right. Follow Pukehangi without turning off it, and keep going straight (it becomes Springfield Road) until you get to a T-intersection with a golf course immediately in front of you. Crack a right turn, andkeep going and you'll end up on the highway to Taupo.
This adds a few km, but the ride around the top of Lake Rotorua is interesting, as is the ride around Paradise Valley Road. Better'n the boring ride from Rotoiti down Te Ngae Road and south anyway. Just be careful if you decide to do this, as both Hamurana and Paradise Valley Roads are fairly wiggly and one-lane in places.

[CookMySock]

I've done a few edits on the murupara route for ya.

http://maps.google.co.nz/maps?f=d&saddr=Te+Ngae+Rd&daddr=Manawahe+Rd+to:Caverhill+Rd+to:Arawa+St+to:-37.943385,176.84864+to:Te+Teko+Rd+to:Tahuna+Rd+to: Kopuriki+Rd+to:Sala+St&hl=en&geocode=FZbfuf0dJKCBCg%3BFeo5vP0dfGmHCg%3BFQxHvf0d uReJCg%3BFRLYvf0dhjaJCg%3B%3BFfAevP0dUO6JCg%3BFbFX u_0dJMOJCg%3BFQw8tf0d0CSICg%3BFb_Juf0d3ZGBCg&mra=dpe&mrcr=1&mrsp=4&sz=12&via=1,3,4,5,6&dirflg=h&sll=-37.942844,176.85276&sspn=0.113716,0.2211&ie=UTF8&ll=-37.942031,176.829414&spn=0.909736,1.768799&t=h&z=9

Notes: Turn left from galatea road onto tahuna road - takes you to te teko the back way, hehe. Carry on to edgecumbe (go straight ahead over the highway when you get to te teko) then at the end of the road turn right, go over the river then left immediately after the factory then follow the map to matata. 90% of this road is continuous bends. Enjoy. This is our back yard.

On Caverhill road, you can turn left onto Braemar road, and this is not quite so tight as manawahe road (tight!) and braemar road takes you to "the rotomas" - the legendary smooth tarmac peg-scrapin set of ranges. Excellant!

If you are feeling like a break, carry on down to thornton beach (5mins) and have a gaze at the sea for a bit, or grab a snack at edgecumbe. edit: theres also a country pub at matata, though manawahe road is not a wise choice with any alcohol in your system.

Have a good time, and be careful.

Steve

[twistemotion]

Thanks for all the suggestions and feedback guys! So many twisty roads, so little time.. This forum is very valuable, in spite of the occasional "domestic".:baby:

[KIWI XJR]

Checked out your map we went that way last weekend the road between Arohena - Waipapa is closed apparently there has been a slip they have a diversion in place but it takes in about 15 ks of gravel your call.

[twistemotion]

Checked out your map we went that way last weekend the road between Arohena - Waipapa is closed apparently there has been a slip they have a diversion in place but it takes in about 15 ks of gravel your call.
Cheers, may divert to SH32 and onto Old Taupo Rd then. Looks like the weather aint gonna play nice either...

[Divot]

Checked out your map we went that way last weekend the road between Arohena - Waipapa is closed apparently there has been a slip they have a diversion in place but it takes in about 15 ks of gravel your call.

You are right. Rode that diversion Labour weekend, all gravel but did it on the Ultra with 25 other Harleys