Whakatane to Opotiki

[bones135]

Just curious as to what the road from Whakatane to Opotikis like. Looking at doing it over xmas with my son.
It will be his first decent ride providing he gets the bike he looking at.
Not a long ride i know but would like to know what the road conditions like & any sights to look out for,
cheers

[Trudes]

It's quite good (last time I rode it) a few bits of twisty a few straights, just watch the farmers with their tractors and 4 wheelers and hawks. I'd recommend going through Ohope (it's been a while so someone who's ridden that piece of road recently may say otherwise) and if you're enjoying the ride carry on through to Gisborne through the Waioeka Gorge, that's a nicer ride.

[ready4whatever]

Its generally good. Windy. The seal is in good nik. watch out for the speed judders by the taneatua turn-off. Aslong as you stick to under 150kmh you should be ok

[Mystic13]

+1 in good condition and usually little traffic. What are you just going to Opotiki and stopping there or tripping further out.

The roads through there to Gisborne and South to Napier are all good to.

[CookMySock]

Don't go through Whakatane. Turn off at awakeri towards taneatua and go the back way, then turn left back towards whakatane and ohope, OR turn right and go through the gorge - whatever spanks your monkey.

Be careful on the taneatua rail bridge in the wet. The rails are really slippery. Ride right down the centre.

Steve

[bones135]

Don't go through Whakatane. Turn off at awakeri towards taneatua and go the back way, then turn left back towards whakatane and ohope, OR turn right and go through the gorge - whatever spanks your monkey.

Be careful on the taneatua rail bridge in the wet. The rails are really slippery. Ride right down the centre.

Steve

Yea hes farming in Awakeri but never been further than Ohope so figured this would be a good excuse to check it out & get him some miles under his belt.
Been thinking about Gissy too but will have to see, time wise how much he can get off.
Im going down xmas eve & staying till they kick me out

[vindy500]

we just went the long way from tauranga to napier (via hicks bay, gisbourne etc) and all the roads seemed to be in mint as condition

[Taz]

It's only a 45km ride....... What are you going to do for the rest of the day. Could go all around the cape in one day.

[bones135]

Probably could do but being his first real time out we dont want to get too carried away, if the urge takes we will definately travel further just looking at the conservative side for now

[BMWST?]

Probably could do but being his first real time out we dont want to get too carried away, if the urge takes we will definately travel further just looking at the conservative side for now

if i am not mistaken the NZ tag is around there somewhere

[CookMySock]

Probably could do but being his first real time out we dont want to get too carried away, if the urge takes we will definately travel further just looking at the conservative side for now

Ahh he's a newb. Awakeri, Taneatua, Waimana Gorge, Waiotahi Beach, Ohiwa Harbour road, Ohope, and back home, will be about two and half hours for a learner with plenty of breaks. This is a particularly scenic ride, and all learner compatible, except for the railbridge near Taneatua, where he should avoid crossing the rails when wet, or as you specify.

Steve

[Wasp27]

Ahh he's a newb. Awakeri, Taneatua, Waimana Gorge, Waiotahi Beach, Ohiwa Harbour road, Ohope, and back home, will be about two and half hours for a learner with plenty of breaks. This is a particularly scenic ride, and all learner compatible, except for the railbridge near Taneatua, where he should avoid crossing the rails when wet, or as you specify.

Steve

Absolutely beautiful part of the country....I think taking tourists from Gisborne to Opotiki through the Waioeka Gorge is awesome... especially on bikes The road around the back of Ohiwa Harbour is stunning. My Grandparents lived down by the Heads... lots of memories

[bones135]

Absolutely beautiful part of the country....I think taking tourists from Gisborne to Opotiki through the Waioeka Gorge is awesome... especially on bikes The road around the back of Ohiwa Harbour is stunning. My Grandparents lived down by the Heads... lots of memories

Yea totally looking forward to it, my parents did it a couple of weeks age (in their RVR not on bikes,lol) Anyhoo, be good to try & make a couple of days out of it.

[trailblazer]

the taneatua rail bridge is not that bad so dont stress i cross it every mourning and so long as you can ride straight its all good. another great ride is manawahe rd to lake rotoma just don't go to hard as it is pretty twisty for a learner.

[Highlander]

if i am not mistaken the NZ tag is around there somewhere

No mistake there . I went the Taneatua way and back the Ohope way to take that picture somewhere in that area. Great wee ride, some nice flowing corners roads in pretty good condition.
Nice loop to fill in a hour or so on a sunny day.

Of course from Tauranga I went via Rotoiti and the Rotomas (also very accessable from Awakeri), then scooted straight back along the Matata straights.