Auckland: Hunua Ranges

[.chris]

Anyone done much riding around the Hunua ranges.

Just been playing on google maps and found some interesting looking roads

Moumoukai Hill Rd, Ness Valley, Auckland, New Zealand

Think I might head down that way and in the true style of adv riding just check out every side road I can find, see where I end up.
I have been meaning to do the loop around the coast side, as that looks like a lovely bit of road.

Anyone keen to join me?

[Waihou Thumper]

Anyone done much riding around the Hunua ranges.

Just been playing on google maps and found some interesting looking roads

Moumoukai Hill Rd, Ness Valley, Auckland, New Zealand

Think I might head down that way and in the true style of adv riding just check out every side road I can find, see where I end up.
I have been meaning to do the loop around the coast side, as that looks like a lovely bit of road.

Anyone keen to join me?

I could come through the Miranda area and meet up with you somewhere..

[SARGE]

i ride up there sometimes .. some good roads and relatively fuzz-free..

[.chris]

I could come through the Miranda area and meet up with you somewhere..

Cool cool, but when is the question.
Might try tomorrow, but weather is not looking so good, only really keen when the weather is nice, or I shall be working.

I think most of the riding is up a bit north west of Miranda, maybe more Hunua township way.

[Gremlin]

Give it a crack, but you will find google isn't entirely accurate out there. For instance, on the southern side of Upper Mangatawhiri Reservoir, Moumoukai Rd goes through to almost the reservoir, but a lot of roads are fenced off, for walking/mountain biking.

If you aren't part of NZOGPS maps for GPS, and find things don't tally up with Google, let me know, and I might head in there with my GPS to track the roads for the project's accuracy.

Can't tomorrow tho, I've got some roads to look at up Waipoua way...

[.chris]

I don't have a GPS at all.
I kinda like the idea of just riding around, seeing what is out there.

[Motu]

I went looking for those roads in the '70's - they weren't there then,they aren't there now.But I got to know every single road in that area very well,it was my playground...and I still like going back to ride those roads now.Back then all the roads were gravel,even what might be the main roads today,gravel from Hunua to Mangatawhiri,gravel from Kawakawa Bay to Waitakaruru,and every single road off them.

You can't even get up to the dams lately,the gates are closed.

[NDORFN]

I've driven through the ranges and the whole way couldn't stop thinking that I'd rather be on a bike. I noticed alot of expensive sports cars ripping through, so it must be a well know squirt track.

[.chris]

I went looking for those roads in the '70's - they weren't there then,they aren't there now.But I got to know every single road in that area very well,it was my playground...and I still like going back to ride those roads now.Back then all the roads were gravel,even what might be the main roads today,gravel from Hunua to Mangatawhiri,gravel from Kawakawa Bay to Waitakaruru,and every single road off them.

You can't even get up to the dams lately,the gates are closed.

Yeah, I have run into the gates on the mountain bikes out that way. Real shame we can't ride around there, we rode up some fun 4x4 tracks on the mountain bikes are some decent climbs out that way, and no doubt some fireroad style roads.

[Bass]

Yeah, I have run into the gates on the mountain bikes out that way. Real shame we can't ride around there, we rode up some fun 4x4 tracks on the mountain bikes are some decent climbs out that way, and no doubt some fireroad style roads.

I live in Papakura and so head out that way often. At one stage I went looking for gravel and some way to get into all the interesting stuff on the map.
Every time it started to get interesting, I came up against a locked gate after just a few k's of gravel. As has been said, I think it's pretty much tied up for walkers and mountain bikers.

[.chris]

I live in Papakura and so head out that way often. At one stage I went looking for gravel and some way to get into all the interesting stuff on the map.
Every time it started to get interesting, I came up against a locked gate after just a few k's of gravel. As has been said, I think it's pretty much tied up for walkers and mountain bikers.

Sounds like there is not much out there, but worthy of a trip I reckon.

Might be on the cards for next weekend, or maybe one day this week if I feel the need to give work a break

[Ixion]

Long long ago those roads were open. Insofar as they could be called "roads". But now, locked gates everywhere. I've tried every way I can think of to get in there without success.

[.chris]

Ok so the Hunua ranges is a bit lacking.

Any other area's one can investigate around Auckland?

Done a few rides down the Port Waikato way, thinking there must be other places to ride.

[Crisis management]

Any other area's one can investigate around Auckland?

Look north young man.....lots between warkworth, the kaipara and the top of the north western motorway and lots more further north of that. Get a hold of the AA road maps, they are reasonably current and shown sealed and unsealed roads, simply brilliant.

[.chris]

Look north young man.....lots between warkworth, the kaipara and the top of the north western motorway and lots more further north of that. Get a hold of the AA road maps, they are reasonably current and shown sealed and unsealed roads, simply brilliant.

That sir sounds like a good plan. One often forgets to look for adventure in their own back yard.

A mate of mine is constantly going on about doing an African/Transcontinental ride/race, but is yet to clock up any decent rides around NZ.

I am planning to do a 3+ week casual trip around the country in summer this year. Not much planned other than bludge beds where I can and just cruise around the country via as many of the non main roads as possible.
Only thing I may plan around is being down Gore way for the Burt Munroe festival in Nov this year, but the trip may be later than that.