When PirateJafa and I were offered free accommodation in Turangi for the week 1st-7th Jan, we jumped at the chance, and so planned our mini road trip. On the 1st, we geared up and headed south. It was a fairly uneventful trip down. One incident proves that karma really is a bitch when a white 4wd that had overtaken us a few km earlier, was now parked up on the side of the road with the red'n blues having a grumpy chat. From Tokoroa we opted to take SH 32 instead of going through Taupo, which proved to be almost traffic free, but was mostly a boring ride, save the last 2 hills before reaching Turangi.
The next day we rose and left bright and early (yeah right), well actually we were on our way at around about noon, and headed over to Taumarunui. After filling up, and a few photos, we were on our way, we were on the Forgotten World Highway!
The road was awesome, the views were stunning, the sun was shining, it was looking to be a great day...
Seeing as it was our first time doing this road, we had to stop loads of times for photos, and were just taking it easy enjoying the scenery. As we were stopped documenting the beginning of the gravel road, we had a Truimph rider pull over for a bit of a chat. He offered us words of encouragement and said he would meet us at the pub further on and off he went. Well, the 12km of "gravel" was fine, even for me when I'd never done a road like that before. The one way tunnel a little bit futher on was a laugh, specially when we realised it would be easier to see if the tinted visors were upand PJ had fun filling the tunnel with the sound of his 636.
It wasn't long before we reached Whangamomona pub, where we were greeted by the Triumph owner again. We had a chat, and he told us what laid ahead for us and then went on his way. After lunch, we geared up again and continued on our way. Here we met the saddles, and they were fun! PirateJafa took off, left me pootling along on my own and I found myself humming to the tune of the Indiana Jones theme, strangely enough. On the Stratford side of the saddles we met our second motorcyclist for the day, a Harley rider, and once we helped him get his bike out of the ditch we carried on and not long after, arrived in Stratford, where we gassed up, and turned around to head back.
This is where we failed at planning. It would have been better for us if we did get up bright and early to begin our trip. The Forgotten World Highway is roughly 160km long, and it look us between 3-4 hours each way (including photo and food breaks). For those who are used to rides like this, it wouldn't be a problem, but for those that know me, know that one of the reasons I love doing the SATNR is because I usually don't have far to travel to get home (to bed) after the pub.This ride, it almost broke me. We got 50km back into the highway and I was over it, I wanted to hop off my bike and curl up in bed.
I really struggled to get back over all the saddles and to Whangamomona, once we past there it was a bit easier, even though we weren't even halfway. I made it though! Back to Taumarunui, and then back to Turangi, where I promptly fell into the spa that was waiting for us.
Saw another 5 bikes after leaving Stratford, a pair of intrepid GN riders, a pair of sportsbikes, all heading in the opposite direction to us, and then once off the Forgotten Highway, the second Harley rider of the day, this one pushing his bike along the road towards Taumarunui, while his lady carried their helmets.
Great twisties, lovely views, I really enjoyed it the first time, but I think that is the first and last time that I ride both ways in one day. I think for next time, I will need a helmet cam, to record the whole experience, and will stay overnight before returning the way I came of course
Originally Posted by Cr1MiNaL
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