Input on a planned trip

**wanpo** · 15th April 2010, 18:43

Hi all,
Been watching Long Way Round/Down and it's got me itching to do a bit of a trip. Planning to go around the North Island with a mate, penciled something out on google maps [updated with hopeful dates]

Overview
Day 1 (16/05/2010) - Auckland to New Plymouth
Day 2 (17/05/2010) - New Plymouth to Wanganui
Day 3 (18/05/2010) - Wanganui to Wellington
Day 4 (19/05/2010) - Rest Day
Day 5 (20/05/2010) - Wellington to Wairoa
Day 6 (21/05/2010) - Wairoa to Whakatane
Day 7 (22/05/2010) - Whakatane to Auckland

Would love some input on roads that should/shouldn't be travelled. I tried to stick to a general ~400km each day schedule. Which might be a bit painful on the bikes we're using (Hyobag GT250R and FXR150) But we're both super keen.

Tips and Hints for preperation before hand would also be appreciated.

Dates are probably not concrete due to time off work/weather/getting stuck somewhere etc.

**Jantar** · 15th April 2010, 19:26

400 km per day is about right for bikes of that size. That should give you 6 - 7 hours travelling with photo stops. If tyhis is your first longish ride then plan on riding for 2 days, resting for one. That will give you a chance to explore the places you're visiting.

Your route looks good, and if you would like a bit of variation then consider heading inland from Wanganui to Raetihi, then north through National Park. Those twisties are perfect for a small bike.

Good one for giving it a go.

**whowhatwhere** · 15th April 2010, 21:18

Looks great wanpo. Are you staying in motels/B&B/camping?

**Hopeful Bastard** · 15th April 2010, 22:09

Let me know when you doing the ride.. I'l join ya for a part of the way for wellington area

SH1 is EXTREMELY boring from Palmerston nth south..

**insomnia01** · 16th April 2010, 10:47

Let me know when your planning this trip, I'm heading to wgtn end of May could take you fellas down the West coast route through some awesome inland roads from Te awamutu ( Forgotten Highway is always a starter ) down to Wgtn if you like

I've done most of your intended route awesome roads, but pay attention to weather reports for this time of year

**Phreak** · 16th April 2010, 11:01

Lol I was planning on doing almost exactly the same trip next week, but my boss declined my leave... Let us know how it goes!

IMO make sure you take plenty of breaks, and make sure your bike(s) are up to the task before-hand; ie. good chain, oil, tyres etc...

**wanpo** · 16th April 2010, 14:34

Yo, will probably be doing it on the cheap, so staying in either backpackers or cheap motels.

Will post ahead of time when we decide when it is, would be awesome to meet up with fellow kiwibikers on the way

Originally Posted by Phreak

Lol I was planning on doing almost exactly the same trip next week, but my boss declined my leave... Let us know how it goes!

IMO make sure you take plenty of breaks, and make sure your bike(s) are up to the task before-hand; ie. good chain, oil, tyres etc...

sucks bro, and yeah I'm definately gonna take my bike into the shop and ask them to give everything a once over.

The route will probably remain the same, but we'll probably shift the points of stay around to even up the travel distances. Thinking of just passing through Wellington and staying at Palmy instead. Or maybe a day at each or something, as a rest at the halfway point.

**nodrog:Me** · 16th April 2010, 15:04

there are roads north of Auckalofa you know.

**wanpo** · 26th April 2010, 10:31

updated plan:
Overview
Day 1 - Auckland to New Plymouth
Day 2 - New Plymouth to Wanganui
Day 3 - Wanganui to Wellington
Day 4 - Rest Day
Day 5 - Wellington to Wairoa
Day 6 - Wairoa to Whakatane
Day 7 - Whakatane to Auckland

**insomnia01** · 26th April 2010, 13:44

when you looking at doing Akld to New Plymouth ? I'll be heading down to wgtn Q'birthday weekend if that works in with you OR 23/5 theres a plan forming where a fellow KB'er ( Cowboyz ) is looking at going through Forgotten Highway if you are keen on going that way

**wanpo** · 26th April 2010, 14:09

Yeah, Forgotten Highway's definately on route; going the long way from new Plymouth to Wanganui

Havn't got a definitive date, I'll like to do it sooner rather than later so the spirits stay high, might aim for the 15th or 16th of May as the departure day

**Maha** · 26th April 2010, 15:26

The road north of Tolaga to Ruatoria (a must stop place that) is full of 'Uneven Surface' signs.

**wanpo** · 26th April 2010, 16:35

Originally Posted by Maha

The road north of Tolaga to Ruatoria (a must stop place that) is full of 'Uneven Surface' signs.

Hmm, thanks for the warning, we won't be trying to set any speed records and will be pacing ourselves, taking apt breaks and what not. I'll make a note to drive safe through that area. Can't really skip it, (feel guilty enough skipping that small Hawera-Wanganui section)

**Maha** · 26th April 2010, 16:56

Originally Posted by wanpo

Hmm, thanks for the warning, we won't be trying to set any speed records and will be pacing ourselves, taking apt breaks and what not. I'll make a note to drive safe through that area. Can't really skip it, (feel guilty enough skipping that small Hawera-Wanganui section)

We were touring at time also. I noticed all the signs and slowed for each one. It became clear that the road surface didnt seem that bad so, at one of the signs, I didn't slow, well, not until about 20mts from a 300mm drop!

**wanpo** · 26th April 2010, 17:28

Originally Posted by Maha

We were touring at time also. I noticed all the signs and slowed for each one. It became clear that the road surface didnt seem that bad so, at one of the signs, I didn't slow, well, not until about 20mts from a 300mm drop!

don't like the sound of that; my GT250R doesn't have 300mm of clearance... but We will trek on, brave and true, and keeping an eye out for landmines