Wellington - Auckland over two days

[R6_kid:Me]

I'm riding a bike from Wellington to Auckland in just over a weeks time, and have two days to do so.

I will be staying in Paraparaumu for the night before heading back to Auckland, and I have up to two days to make the trip - assuming I find somewhere to stay for the night of the first day.

What route would you suggest so that the trip doesn't end up being too monotonous?

I wouldn't mind finishing up with SH22 before hitting the motorway back in to Auckland - and I'd rather stay to the West/Central part of the North Island on the way up.

[Katman]

You're always welcome to make Taupo an overnighter.

[short-circuit]

You're always welcome to make Taupo an overnighter.

Dirty old bastard

[aer0]

seeing as your looking to spend 2 days coming down, maybe go via taranaki? stay somewhere like new plymouth?

either that or go the other side, auckland-taupo-napier-welly ??

[Katman]

Dirty old bastard

I've seen the way that Gareth 'dresses'.

I should be the one who's worried.

[R6_kid:Me]

seeing as your looking to spend 2 days coming down, maybe go via taranaki? stay somewhere like new plymouth?

either that or go the other side, auckland-taupo-napier-welly ??

Going the other way. I've ridden the East Coast a bit... never ridden out West Coast much though - so was thinking New Plymouth/Taranaki could be the go before back tracking inland to stay somewhere for hte night. What's an interesting route between Kapiti Coast and New Plymouth?

[Hailwood]

First day go up to New Plymouth via Opunake, round the mountain...bit boring to Wanganui but fun and a good ride after that.

Day 2 go via Mokau and Awakino Gorge to Te Kuiti and through to Hamiltron (city of the future) and onto Jafaland or otherwide out via Raglan is an option.

[R6_kid:Me]

SH43 out of Stratford looks like fun... Is that the Forgotten Highway?

[Hailwood]

Indeed it is....great bit of road but do take it carefully through there. The speed indiation signs actually mean what they say in some cases!!!!!! You could do a round the mountain trip on the way up and come back to stay in Stratford then next day go via 43 to taumaranui then off SH4 to 8 mile junction and on through Te Kuiti still to avoid the boredom that is SH1

[Squiggles]

What root would you suggest so that the trip doesn't end up being too monotonous?

As many as possible.

[ynot slow]

Just a heads up in and around Taranaki if go this way,it is smack in the middle of calving time,hence the odd tired cocky who may not look as he exits the farm onto the road,and beware of cowshit in places.
Maybe do around the mountain and stay at NP(pm boob johnson for bed great place),head up to 8 mile junction then head inland on SH4 and home.Or tiki tour round the mountain and head out to Whanga pub for night and home,check the pub for a bed though,Forgotten Highway is tourist mecca lol and even during midweek can make the pub full up bed wise.

[rachprice]

So your only going to Paraparaumu not wellington??

[R6_kid:Me]

I'm flying in to Wellington, picking the bike up in Lower Hutt, and staying the night in Paraparaumu.

Just thinking - I've done SH4 four times in the car... could be about time I did it on the

I'm leaning towards leaving SH43 a for another time (once I know the bike a bit better!) so might go Paraparaumu - Palmy - Fielding - Wanganui - SH4 - SH41 - SH32 - Pohipi Rd to Taupo. Stay the night then out to SH30 - SH39 - SH23 - Ohautira Rd - SH22 - home. That should leave me a bit of time on the first day to stop in and catchup with freinds/family in the Manawatu and not leave me running out of daylight.

[StoneY]

Going the other way. I've ridden the East Coast a bit... never ridden out West Coast much though - so was thinking New Plymouth/Taranaki could be the go before back tracking inland to stay somewhere for hte night. What's an interesting route between Kapiti Coast and New Plymouth?

West coast rides rock
Just head west at Hamilton and hug the coast- cant go wrong man

[caseye]

Hey R6 trust the ol STONEY he knows about those roads, you'll love em.But anyway, why 2 days,? I hope it's only because you can afford the time off.1 say is enough.