East Cape - what's the road like round there these days?

**crash99** · 26th August 2009, 12:56

I'm planning a trip with a mate Wellington/napier/east cape/Whakatane/Coro/Taupo/wellington later this year. Anyone know what the road's like from Gissie around the Cape and over the top to Whakatane?

**86GSXR** · 26th August 2009, 13:20

Gidday. That road is marvelous! It's in pretty reasonable condition, lot's of twisties, sweepers, and the scenery is brilliant. Rugged hill country and coastal is a good way to describe it.

One thing though, there's not a lot of gas stations so make sure you fill up at every opportunity. I think from memory that there may be about 200kms with no gas so be careful.

It gets quite isolated at times too, so make sure your bikes are in good condition before you get onto it. Take a puncture repair kit and chain lube.

Temperatures can get up there as well, so fill your water bottle.

Other than that, it's an amazing ride.

Here's a trip we did earlier this year, very similar - enjoy!

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...ad.php?t=92140

**Matt Bleck** · 26th August 2009, 13:46

Originally Posted by 86GSXR

Gidday. That road is marvelous! It's in pretty reasonable condition, lot's of twisties, sweepers, and the scenery is brilliant. Rugged hill country and coastal is a good way to describe it.

One thing though, there's not a lot of gas stations so make sure you fill up at every opportunity. I think from memory that there may be about 200kms with no gas so be careful.

It gets quite isolated at times too, so make sure your bikes are in good condition before you get onto it. Take a puncture repair kit and chain lube.

Temperatures can get up there as well, so fill your water bottle.

Other than that, it's an amazing ride.

Here's a trip we did earlier this year, very similar - enjoy!

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...ad.php?t=92140

hmmmm, really?

From Te Araroa down to Tolaga Bay is pretty rough at the moment and I think Busby's Hill road is still being worked on it after it slipped a few weeks ago.

Slip: Sh 35 Ruatoria - Tikitiki - Slip At Kemps Descent 6km North Of Ruatoria - Down To One Lane - Trucks Take Care. Delays Likely. Work Ongoing To Restore Two Lane Access

Drop Out: Sh35 Is Now Open To All Traffic Excluding Overweight/overdimension Loads. A One Lane System Operates With Normal Road Rules Applying.

Road conditions can be found here.

There are petrol stations at Opotiki, Waihou Bay, Te Araroa, Te Puia Springs, Ruatoria, Tolaga Bay and Gisborne.

**Taz** · 26th August 2009, 14:07

Try to avoid the need to stop in Ruatoria. Not a fun place.

**Matt Bleck** · 26th August 2009, 14:18

Originally Posted by Anthrax

Try to avoid the need to stop in Ruatoria. Not a fun place.

lol, the scribble faces aren't that bad.......

**Stirts** · 26th August 2009, 14:23

Originally Posted by Anthrax

Try to avoid the need to stop in Ruatoria. Not a fun place.

As Mr MB said the scribble faces are actually pretty friendly. They just don't look like it.

Is the pie cart still there?

**Matt Bleck** · 26th August 2009, 15:33

Originally Posted by Stirts

As Mr MB said the scribble faces are actually pretty friendly. They just don't look like it.

Is the pie cart still there?

No I think the piecart got burnt down....

**Maha** · 26th August 2009, 15:55

Originally Posted by Anthrax

Try to avoid the need to stop in Ruatoria. Not a fun place.

Ruatoria is a 'must see'.
We were there last September and was hoping to see the odd inked up ropehead horseman but no, its was a friendly/clean establishment with a very fine dinning place, where the all day breakky went down like Xaviera Hollander on a rather stiff shaft.

**B0000M** · 28th August 2009, 12:34

i went on this road from gisborne to te araroa (east cape) last thursday.- by car. its mostly in reasonable condition (for the coast road) and theres probably a total combined distance of 500m of road works. theres a few uneven surfaces a few potholes, but if you're not trying to race itl be fine. the 'delays' mentioned last for about 30seconds to a minute, while you wait for a couple of trucks to come thru the road works

**Charlied1** · 29th August 2009, 20:16

Hi We did the ride over queens Birthday. The weather was marginal but hey its winter right. The road was great. Note if you are starting at the Gisborne end fill up as the next real service station is at Opotiki. If your looking for a cheap place to stay in Opotiki try the Masonic Hotel. It was $30 a night single bed, shared bathroom but the rooms were clean and the pub grub irish bar was good. Plus they locked our bikes away in their courtyard which was reassuring. Its certainly a ride I would do again. The ride through the gorge is good too.

**doc** · 29th August 2009, 20:37

Originally Posted by Maha

Ruatoria is a 'must see'.

Yep use to avoid it cos of the reputation.

Finally checked it out and the place is great, it also has gas , so the talk of no petrol to get round the cape is usual mistruth that everyone believes.

**Kendog** · 29th August 2009, 21:01

Originally Posted by crash99

I'm planning a trip with a mate Wellington/napier/east cape/Whakatane/Coro/Taupo/wellington later this year. Anyone know what the road's like from Gissie around the Cape and over the top to Whakatane?

I have done this trip a couple of times, it's awesome.

My only suggestion is going the other way round i.e. up to Taupo, clockwise round Coro then clockwise round the cape.
If you have some time, ride between Opotiki and Gisborne via the Waioeka Gorge (and back again

) it's an great bit of road.

**Charlied1** · 29th August 2009, 21:38

so the talk of no petrol to get round the cape is usual mistruth that everyone believes.
Its limited at the weekends

**Charlied1** · 29th August 2009, 21:41

Originally Posted by Kendog

I have done this trip a couple of times, it's awesome.

My only suggestion is going the other way round i.e. up to Taupo, clockwise round Coro then clockwise round the cape.
If you have some time, ride between Opotiki and Gisborne via the Waioeka Gorge (and back again

) it's an great bit of road.

Totally agree. It s about 500ks Opotiki - Waioeka - Giborne - East Cape - Opotiki but a great days ride.