Its a great ride, taken my 30 year old Duke thru it twice in the last year, gravel can be variable....was pretty loose a few weeks back.
Stop for a beer, its worth it.
Bored Room
Its a great ride, taken my 30 year old Duke thru it twice in the last year, gravel can be variable....was pretty loose a few weeks back.
Stop for a beer, its worth it.
DeMyer's Laws - an argument that consists primarily of rambling quotes isn't worth bothering with.
ZZZZZZZZZZ
Did it last Sunday with the Manawatu crew. Gravel is fine (mint) as others have said, but a word of warning.
Be very wary of melting tar on River Rd between Taumarunui and the turn-off to Ohura Rd. It's nasty slippery in places and also difficult to navigate through, as it covers the entire road in places.
Mint ride though!
Nunquam Non Paratus
The TV collector.
+1, It was nice apart form the above mentioned. I like the Strattford to Taumarunui way as for us it dispenses with the boring hi-way 3 stint first off and you have a spell at Whanga after the saddles.Originally Posted by Owl
Did it last Sunday with the Manawatu crew. Gravel is fine (mint
Be very wary of melting tar on River Rd between Taumarunui and the turn-off to Ohura Rd. It's nasty slippery in places and also difficult to navigate through, as it covers the entire road in places.
Mint ride though!
Forum whore
Jym, wait til we get back and stay with us at Matiere!
As Blackbird says, Geoff and Penny are good sorts, and have a Connie 14 in the garage themslves.
Both directions are great. Be ready for the tunnel, and if you are wearing shades, stop and take them off first! Not much of a horizon evident in there with sunnies on.
Greg Murphy was participating in an economy run thru there a few years ago on 4 wheels and proclaimed it was the best kept secret in the North island, he loved it. And he turned in a record (worst) fuel consumption, lol
Have fun
"If you haven't grown up by the time you turn 50, you don't have to!"
Mainlander in Exile
Just may have to do that as well mate.
Soccer - A Gentlemans game played by Hooligans.Rugby - A Hooligans Game played by Gentlemen.
Forum whore
Probably my preference too - love those saddles!
Absofreekkinlootley! The hot tar was pretty bad in places but the gravel was sweet as. There is a small section part way through the gravel where they seem to have to attempted to seal the road - probably the roughest bit.Did it last Sunday with the Manawatu crew. Gravel is fine (mint
Be very wary of melting tar on River Rd between Taumarunui and the turn-off to Ohura Rd. It's nasty slippery in places and also difficult to navigate through, as it covers the entire road in places.
Mint ride though!
A couple of very small snippets of last weekend's ride:
[youtube]W2lTELpjTrA[/youtube]
Forum whore
Here's the gravel section:
[youtube]c9caIN6XSvg[/youtube]
BTW: I have a shocking memory (and crappy maps), can someone tell me the names of the saddles in the order you come across them - I've got more video to edit...
'tart tourmenter
Tahora, Whangamomona, Pohukura, Strathmore & Douglas then Sangsters hill (yes Hitchers rellies).
Suck, Squeeze, Bang, Blow aren’t just the 4 cycles of an engine
Mainlander in Exile
Good work on those video clips.
Must investigate getting me a video set up.
Soccer - A Gentlemans game played by Hooligans.
Forum whore
[QUOTE=banditrider;1129958297]Probably my preference too - love those saddles!
Absofreekkinlootley! The hot tar was pretty bad in places but the gravel was sweet as. There is a small section part way through the gravel where they seem to have to attempted to seal the road - probably the roughest bit.
QUOTE]
Brilliant Andrew - the perfect way to answer the perpetual question about gravel on the FWH.
Will pm you re yr camera setup so as not to hi jack the thread.
"If you haven't grown up by the time you turn 50, you don't have to!"
mini meeeeeee
Balu and I did it Tau - Stratford on our way to NP to stop with Pussy and Gassit Girl. Had lunch at Whangamomona - brilliant feed. Must say though we didn't go exploring any side roads (given that we were on the bandit and the burgman scooter...) The gravel section was fine for our roadies but had one heart stopping moment when we saw a biggish looking mud hole we had to ride through. Being the stout hearted person I am (
I lahk to moove eet moove eet...
Katman to steveb64
hi ppl.
so the straty to wonga stretch is ok if theres lots of trafic ,just a bit weary as ive not been out there b4 and new to the road bike thing
Forum whore
HD, unless its Republic Day, traffic will be light - you will be fine, just take your time and ENJOY!
"If you haven't grown up by the time you turn 50, you don't have to!"
'tart tourmenter
Republic day this weekend!
Suck, Squeeze, Bang, Blow aren’t just the 4 cycles of an engine
Hardcore Biker
I've done this road both ways. Personally I preferred Stratford to Taumaranui (excuse terrible spelling, can't be arsed googling it) direction. Was on my long wheel based cruiser and the corners seemed better for me this way. But either way, it's an exceptional ride. Stunning scenery and fun corners. As mentioned above, just heads up for melted tar on hot days. But also, if it's heavy rain (torrential when I did it a month ago) just be prepard for slips and boulders round blind corners. There were some very impressive rocks right in the middle of the road, often. But as long as you expect they may be there, it's no worries at all.
I did Wellington - Taranaki - Stratford - Forgotten Highway - Taumaranui - Taupo in a day. approx 670km, and stopped for a couple of hours OFF the forgotten highway to visit a friend of my fellow rider (yes, about a 20k gravel road off the side before the main road gravel stretch in pouring rain, now that was fun! - can't say the Boulvard loved it as much)You will love it. Take photos, breath in the scenery and have fun.
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