Wgtn to Napier via Levin route: piece of piss?

**Stylo** · 14th September 2010, 19:06

Never been through that way but we've planned our trip North so it's set in concrete , riding fully loaded and ....how long will it take , is it a good road ...anything to look out for or sights to see ?

Once past Massey we'll be heading for Woodville on SH57 then just follow the signs to Napier, I guess. What are the cops like up that way and, thanks for your input in advance ...heading away in a couple of weeks .

My map looks exciting but, reality is always different I guess, Cheers

**red mermaid** · 14th September 2010, 19:29

With the weather up this way lately the piece between Levin and Palmerston North has some roadworks and rough surfaces.

The cops up here are the best.

**Stylo** · 14th September 2010, 19:53

Originally Posted by red mermaid

With the weather up this way lately the piece between Levin and Palmerston North has some roadworks and rough surfaces.

The cops up here are the best.

Cheers ... :-)

**robertydog** · 14th September 2010, 20:03

Head up HW50. More enjoyable for a motorcycle. Went thru recently and is in good nick. Be aware of the gullys and the damp spots. Nice cafe at Tikokino if you need a break.

**Stylo** · 14th September 2010, 20:30

Originally Posted by robertydog

Head up HW50. More enjoyable for a motorcycle. Went thru recently and is in good nick. Be aware of the gullys and the damp spots. Nice cafe at Tikokino if you need a break.

HW50 looks to be between Waipukarau and Hastings , thats the way we're heading so ...all good . No radar detector on board so we''ll be wary , fast bike and new ground for us ....

**robinm** · 15th September 2010, 06:37

highway 50 starts about 20 miles north of Dannevirke, turn left off Highway 2. Far better road than SH2 on a bike. Also be ultra careful in the Manawatu Gorge this time of year. I go through the Gorge twice a day and every day there are minor slips and rock falls. Just 2 days ago I was coming home just after dark and dead in the centre of my lane was a large rock, about 3 ft dia. A great piece of road but to be treated with extreme respect in the wet season!!

**Quasi** · 15th September 2010, 08:03

Going up SH1 is terribly boring - basically a straight road from Wellington to Palmerston. And today the gorge is closed due to slips.....
Much nicer ride to go up Sh2, Wellington to Masterton over the Rimutakas, then can go stright up to Woodville etc or turn off behind Masterton (Whangaheu Valley Road) and do Route 52 which ends up at Porangahau, then owards to Napier
Much nicer ride

**dogsnbikes** · 15th September 2010, 08:43

Originally Posted by Quasi

Going up SH1 is terribly boring - basically a straight road from Wellington to Palmerston. And today the gorge is closed due to slips.....
Much nicer ride to go up Sh2, Wellington to Masterton over the Rimutakas, then can go stright up to Woodville etc or turn off behind Masterton (Whangaheu Valley Road) and do Route 52 which ends up at Porangahau, then owards to Napier
Much nicer ride

Agree with Quasi......SH1 boring and cop infested as for 52 why wouldn't you just fill up before leaving Masterton

**wingnutt** · 15th September 2010, 16:32

Originally Posted by Stylo

Never been through that way but we've planned our trip North so it's set in concrete , riding fully loaded and ....how long will it take , is it a good road ...anything to look out for or sights to see ?

Once past Massey we'll be heading for Woodville on SH57 then just follow the signs to Napier, I guess. What are the cops like up that way and, thanks for your input in advance ...heading away in a couple of weeks .

My map looks exciting but, reality is always different I guess, Cheers

about 3 and half hours riding time, Wellington to Napier, Levin shannon route is pretty good,
you can bypass massey, and palmerston north and come out at the gorge.

as said highway 50 is good, watch for moist spots in some places though sometines can be windy on the takapau plains between dannevirke and waipuk, and between woodville and dannevirke.

check point cops are rude arseholes, but in cars are pretty good as long as not too silly.

enjoy the trip,

**cowboyz** · 15th September 2010, 16:41

if you wanna come up this side i would go shannon- bypass massey - piahiatua track- balance - woodville - dvirke- sh50 (watch out for the turnoff to SH50.. its easy to miss)

(ps.. ok its about a 50 foot sign but I still managed to miss it)

**MSTRS:Me** · 15th September 2010, 17:43

Originally Posted by wingnutt

... can be windy on the takapau plains between dannevirke and waipuk, ....

It's straight-as...

Agree with the Wairarapa /Route 52 calls, but for someone who doesn't know those roads and the various turnoffs...they could end up anywhere.
Also agree bypass Levin...turn right into Kimberley Rd (southern end of the straight leading into Levin) then next left (Arapaepae Rd) and follow your nose/road signs. Watch for the 2 turn offs to the right that take you to Aukautere (sp?) and on to the main road to the gorge.
For a little excitement, take the Pahiatua Track on the right at Aukautere. At the bottom on the otherside take the Ballance Rd on the left. That brings you out onto the main road on the Woodville side of the Gorge.
Definitely do HW50. On the left 33kms past Dannevegas. Can get a little confusing at the northern end. Sing out if you need a guide or summat.

**junkmanjoe** · 15th September 2010, 20:06

if you decide to ride hiway 52, just be ready for the odd bit of stock... other than that it is a great road. i would start riding it from masterton, make sure you leave masterton with a full tank as there is no gas out that way, till you get to dannevirke or vire wimbleton to waipukurau
there is a station about half way up , but the chance its open is very rear....

you could go over the old saddle road between ashurst and woodville, and i agree with hiway 50 takes out the long and boring takapau plans.

JMJ

**hush** · 15th September 2010, 21:07

Def do HW50 it is really much biker friendly and less road works right now, cops in HB are pretty cool towards bike riders, mainly cos most of them own bikes themselves.
Sundays along West Quay (where the fishing boats tie up) will usually find riders stopping for a coffee or lunch if the weather is good.
Enjoy your ride, wishing you safe and open roads....Hush.

**MasterBry** · 16th September 2010, 09:48

This I feel is the nicer ride 332 Kms
http://maps.google.co.nz/maps?f=d&so...82&ie=UTF8&z=8

But this is also a good treck, and you get to see the Kapati Coast 317 kms
http://maps.google.co.nz/maps?f=d&so...82&ie=UTF8&z=8

So depends if you want to see hills or coast at the begining, either are great rides