Pyes Pa Road, Tauranga. Anyone ridden it lately?

**sunhuntin** · 12th May 2010, 19:17

mods, feel free to move this if its the wrong place. i couldnt see anywhere else suitable.

what is the pyes pa rd like? looking at going that way in july, but would like to get an idea of it first so i can take a different route if needed. i would be picking it up from lake rotorua and following it all the way to tga. im not a fast rider, and dislike corners quite a bit, but can manage them if im not rushed.
ive looked on google earth, which was useful, but the pictures arent that clear... they really need to update them.

thanks in advance!!

**slofox** · 12th May 2010, 19:21

I did that route a couple months ago. Cool ride but LOTS of corners - specially at the lake end. Nothing a little care would not deal with though.

In July you might want a warmish day - I think it would ice up in there on a frosty morning and probably hang around for a bit too - there are some deep cuts through the hills that might not see much sun through the day.

**varminter** · 12th May 2010, 19:25

Nice bit of road, the two one lane bridges have been opened up. Quite twisty on the Rotovagas side and the very first time I went over that way on a bike I was convinced that my head was lower than my arse (a bit steep). There might be a bit of metal in places I haven't been that way for a couple of weeks.

**tig99** · 12th May 2010, 19:31

Good road , a bit of road works where they are replacing the one way bridge. damp patches will be icy this time of year. Take your time and enjoy a different bit of countryside. If you don't like corners how did you get out of wanganui? What about the Paraparas?

**munster** · 12th May 2010, 19:37

in-laws live up there. I love that road. Used to be better and less traffic when it had the gravel stretch in the middle, but I will admit it is a quicker road now.

**duckonin** · 12th May 2010, 19:42

Rode back home through there a week ago, road was very good, care needed approaching bridge..

**Old Steve** · 12th May 2010, 19:57

Rode over it 2 weekends ago, Group ride went down Te Waerenga Rd for the curves, I went on down to Hamurana Rd and clockwise round the lake. Came back to Tauranga that afternoon on my own.

Some roadworks between Ngongotaha and the Tauranga Direct Rd turnoff, I slowed to 20KM/hr no probs. There is still the one single lane bridge just on the Tauranga side of Roys Rd, going north you have to give way so be prepared to stop. The roadworks at the two bridges has been finished. Just slow for any corners, go slow down and up out of the two bridges gully. After where Te Matai Rd turns off I was cruising at 90+ km/hr. Watch for shingle swept out onto the road, the road is a little narrower that SH5 south or SH2 and the surface is not as clear. Not many passing opportunities on this stretch of road, ride well out in your lane so you don't get any car trying something silly - on the Sunday I rode it there wasn't a lot of traffic.

Valid points about the surface over winter, some cuttings and corners don't get a lot of sun and there can be mist around til late morning. It got cold too before we dropped down on the Rotorua side, wear some undergloves and something around your neck, have your jacket liner in too.

You can do it, I did it both ways and I've only got 4000 km under my wheels and only been on a bike 11 weeks.

**CookMySock** · 12th May 2010, 19:57

Originally Posted by sunhuntin

dislike corners quite a bit, but can manage them if im not rushed.

Um, what will you do if you get a scare and have to swerve?

Steve

**Maha** · 12th May 2010, 20:02

Originally Posted by sunhuntin

mods, feel free to move this if its the wrong place. i couldnt see anywhere else suitable.

what is the pyes pa rd like? looking at going that way in july, but would like to get an idea of it first so i can take a different route if needed. i would be picking it up from lake rotorua and following it all the way to tga. im not a fast rider, and dislike corners quite a bit, but can manage them if im not rushed.
ive looked on google earth, which was useful, but the pictures arent that clear... they really need to update them.

thanks in advance!!

If you dont like corners you really wont like the 'Gully' bit then.
If winds down with some tight corners, then over a one lane bridge then around a tight left hander (it has a mirror so can see any other vehicle coming) and its narrow, then you wind your way up and out. After that its fine.

**sunhuntin** · 12th May 2010, 20:06

can manage the paras cos ive been up and down them heaps since childhood. normally i prefer the desert road, but being july it might be quite icy. DB. i ride careful enough that if i do need to move, i can do so without much trouble. means i will be pulling over heaps to let traffic pass. would rather do that than be forced out of my comfort zone on a new road and risk being a statistic.

what other routes would you guys suggest? my destination is in pyes pa, and that road would put me right on top of the people im visiting. am happy to take a different route though. havent done a long ride for ages, so my skills might be down a bit. happy to spend the whole day on the road though to ensure a safe arrival.

**duckonin** · 12th May 2010, 20:17

Via Rotorua -Tepuke

**BiK3RChiK** · 12th May 2010, 21:33

You should be fine! I rode this when I was on my learners. There are a couple of things to watch for and mainly you can mitigate these by keeping your speed down, although I'd be watching out for Black Ice in July. Leave your ride till later in the morning if it's frosty. And yeah, the fog can be bad around there. I've been through that area and it's like pea soup. Maybe get in a couple of weekend rides before coming up this way, Sunhuntin, and you should be all good. Have a nice break

**nodrog:Me** · 12th May 2010, 22:06

i hear some meatheads use it for a racetrack.

**Maha** · 12th May 2010, 22:15

Originally Posted by sunhuntin

can manage the paras cos ive been up and down them heaps since childhood. normally i prefer the desert road, but being july it might be quite icy. DB. i ride careful enough that if i do need to move, i can do so without much trouble. means i will be pulling over heaps to let traffic pass. would rather do that than be forced out of my comfort zone on a new road and risk being a statistic.

what other routes would you guys suggest? my destination is in pyes pa, and that road would put me right on top of the people im visiting. am happy to take a different route though. havent done a long ride for ages, so my skills might be down a bit. happy to spend the whole day on the road though to ensure a safe arrival.

I have had the rear wheels of my work van spinning, trying to get up the hill during the middle of winter in the lowest part of that road. If the weather is not goood, go the long way.