Heading to Hastings 23rd April.

[crashe]

Ok, I am going down to Hastings on Saturday the 23rd April.

I am going throu Hamilton then throu to Taupo.
Then heading over to Napier then Hastings.

I will not be going fast as I dont have to be in Hastings til 5.30pm....

I may be calling into Hamilton to see a friend for a cuppa to break up the ride, but it depends on whether she is going away this weekend.. (awaiting on a txt tonight) Otherwise I will be riding the whole way.

Is there any roads that I need to be aware of...
I know the road from Auckland to Hamilton really well.

I havent been further than Hamilton on SH1 in a long time.
I haven't ever been from Taupo to Napier/Hastings at all.

How long will it take to do the whole ride.... I ride at 100 to 110km on the straights, a hell of lot slower on twisties....

If I stop off in Hamilton, Then I will leave at 9am.... but if not then what time would you recommend.

I will be heading back up on Monday sometime.

Thanks for your advice in advance.

[Waylander]

Why not ride to Ham with them that's goin to the rally? Then ya could have some company for the first bit atleast and depending on the route they are taking maybe even for the most part of the trip. Pretty boring riding long distances by yourself.

[Grumpy]

I do that trip quite a lot. Usually takes around 5 hours all up including stops.
I don't take the main road though. Head to Teawamutu ( sorry 'bout the spelling) then at Kihikihi take the road through to Putararu. There's a turn off about 5 or so Km's to Mangakino. Head through to Taupo then onto Napier. Awesome ride and stuff all traffic.The Napier Taupo is ok but there was a little road work going on just outside of Taupo.

[crashe]

Why not ride to Ham with them that's goin to the rally? Then ya could have some company for the first bit atleast and depending on the route they are taking maybe even for the most part of the trip. Pretty boring riding long distances by yourself.

Um cos I heard that they will be all meeting in Hamilton at 9.30am....
well I am sure thats what I was told.... havent checked out the trip down thread lately....

Also it depends on whether my friend is gonna be in Hamilton or not tomorrow.

[crashe]

I do that trip quite a lot. Usually takes around 5 hours all up including stops.
I don't take the main road though. Head to Teawamutu ( sorry 'bout the spelling) then at Kihikihi take the road through to Putararu. There's a turn off about 5 or so Km's to Mangakino. Head through to Taupo then onto Napier. Awesome ride and stuff all traffic.The Napier Taupo is ok but there was a little road work going on just outside of Taupo.

Cheers Grumpy.... now to go and get my road map book out again...
But I do think that I may want to kinda stick to the main roads....

Thanks for the info re roadworks outside of Taupo.....

[MSTRS:Me]

I came thru from Taupo on Tuesday - roadworks are mostly done, ie struck no gravel. And the shiny bit on the Napier side of TeHaroto (Summit) has FINALLY been resealed. Yah!

[crashe]

I came thru from Taupo on Tuesday - roadworks are mostly done, ie struck no gravel. And the shiny bit on the Napier side of TeHaroto (Summit) has FINALLY been resealed. Yah!

Cheers for that info....much appreciated.

[crashe]

Ok slight change of plans.... want to be down in Hamilton between 9.30 and 10am to catch up with my friend.... and leave Hamilton around midday...

So if I get my act together.... I will arrive out at AB and ride down SH1 with some of the rally bunch.... assuming they are all meeting there at 8am.

I had better go set my alarm....