Forgotten Highway Warning

**Bassmatt** · 27th January 2012, 12:38

Rode it on Wedensday in nice warm weather.
Probably half of it was basically liquid tar.

My bike, bag and gear got absolutely covered in tar and i am still finding tarry stones in all sorts of places.
Not impressed to say the least

**The Baron** · 27th January 2012, 12:44

Was this new road works or tar bleed at the Taumarunu end. It's bad in the wet too.

**Bassmatt** · 27th January 2012, 13:32

It looked like it was new but had been "completed" as there were no warning or road works signs or workers around.
Alot of it was going up and down the saddles between Whangmongama(?) and Stratford.
The cynic in me wonders if its a deliberate "traffic calming" exercise.

**MSTRS:Me** · 27th January 2012, 13:44

Originally Posted by Bassmatt

It looked like it was new but had been "completed" as there were no warning or road works signs or workers around.
A lot of it was going up and down the saddles between Whangamomona and Stratford.
The cynic in me wonders if its a deliberate "traffic calming" exercise.

You don't want to know what it was like to ride in 35+ degrees and NO chip at all...

**Bassmatt** · 27th January 2012, 14:25

Originally Posted by MSTRS

You don't want to know what it was like to ride in 35+ degrees and NO chip at all...

Well I didnt think it could get much worse, but you win

The unsealed section was bliss compared to that mess, no wonder it has a " High Motorcycle Crash Rate" sign at the beginning.

There is now also a fair bit of tar in a certain motel room in New Plymouth.

**Hitcher** · 27th January 2012, 16:00

Rode in to Whangamomona from New Plymouth last week. There was resealing underway between Gordon Road and the Douglas railway crossing, and the whole of the Strathmore saddle had just been resealed. Other than that, the road was as good as always.

Having parked outside the pub I was advised to move my bike (please) and got a free coffee for my troubles. A long story involving a photo opportunity for two red Nissan 370Z convertibles, one of which was owned by Mrs Publican.

**vifferman** · 27th January 2012, 20:15

It's all my fault. I must've worn it out when I rode it a few weeks back.

Sorry...

**shafty** · 27th January 2012, 22:03

Originally Posted by Hitcher

Rode in to Whangamomona from New Plymouth last week. There was resealing underway between Gordon Road and the Douglas railway crossing, and the whole of the Strathmore saddle had just been resealed. Other than that, the road was as good as always.

Having parked outside the pub I was advised to move my bike (please) and got a free coffee for my troubles. A long story involving a photo opportunity for two red Nissan 370Z convertibles, one of which was owned by Mrs Publican.

It's a nice Z too, Penny's is.

Similiarly I rode the local route a couple of weeks ago passing 2 cars comfortably on the gravel - translating to a nice surface. Have you experienced the Rural Riders Rally thereabouts Hitcher?

**Gremlin** · 28th January 2012, 01:38

Originally Posted by Hitcher

Other than that, the road was as good as always.

Subtle that. Last time I was there was for the Capital Cruise... in the rain. Always an interesting road in the rain...

**caspernz** · 28th January 2012, 19:20

Originally Posted by Gremlin

Subtle that. Last time I was there was for the Capital Cruise... in the rain. Always an interesting road in the rain...

Even more interesting as a midnight excursion...wildlife galore.

**martybabe** · 28th January 2012, 19:50

Originally Posted by Bassmatt

The cynic in me wonders if its a deliberate "traffic calming" exercise.

I thought the same, it was crap in all the places you wouldn't want it to be crap, coincidence? maybe, dunno but I shan't bother again for a while, much better roads to heading for at the moment.

**Bikemad** · 28th January 2012, 20:21

chateau to the plateau goin thru there tomorrow..............anyone ridin down in the morn

**sinfull** · 29th January 2012, 07:42

Originally Posted by shafty

It's a nice Z too, Penny's is.

Similiarly I rode the local route a couple of weeks ago passing 2 cars comfortably on the gravel - translating to a nice surface. Have you experienced the Rural Riders Rally thereabouts Hitcher?

Is that the Anzac weekend or the one they now have over independance weekend Pete ?

Could quite see Heidi and I doing Anzac weekend again this year, a little close to the cold duck and of course my aversity to camping, but it is a good (read small enough to enjoy) rally and the ride of course is superb !