DingoZ's Blog

North Island - The Great Lower North Island Loop Ride

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Due to circumstances beyond our control, one KB member decided to Ride from Wellngton to Taupo on 15 March 2008. In typical KB fashion, this has been blown all out of proportion with a number of us wanting to go with him and then have a long cruisy ride around the lower north island. We're getting quite keen on the idea now and serious planning is under way.

The original intention was to do this in a day but some have suggested 2 days because yet another member decided on that weekend that he'd like to do the Gentle Annie between Napier and Taihape. At this stage, a single day is proposed but this may esculate into a 2-dayer as we're getting towards the end of the summer and this may be a great opportunity for a last-hurrah weekend for the lower north KBers from Wellington, Wairarapa, Manawatu, Hawkes Bay and Taupo areas.

The proposed route so far is 841km and stays off the state highways where possible but without adding hundreds of k's to the ride. The current plan is to take in some well-known roads running nearly parallel to the SHs on surfaces that are sealed, generally clean and within hailing distance of gas stations.

The route-at-large is Upper Hutt, Masterton bypass, Eketahuna bypass, Paihiatua bypass, Danniverke, Ormondville, SH50, Taradale, SH5 Napier-Taupo, Taihape, Upper Kawhatau, Pemberton, Cheltnam, Feilding, Wellington.Variations can be added like Taupo Western Lake and Pahiatua Track.

Please stick your name on the Calendar list if you're thinking about it. It doesn't matter if you don't go, it just indicates interest at this stage.

Here's the Calendar to plonk your name on

The unanswered question is ... is this better as a 2-day ride overnighting in backpackers or camping so it stays cheap as we can make it? The other alternative is just to make it a 1 day affair. That will be hardest on the welly crew but for the Wairarapa, Manawatu and Hawkes Bay tems, it's just a doddle.

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Okay so this is going to be a great ride, looking forward to being able to ride and enjoy for two days. Fun.....My first road trip on the bike....

Pics and a detailed ride report when completed... Hopefully we can get some numbers to come along as well...

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