Manawatu - Hall Block & North Range Road?

[Gremlin]

What type of road is the route? Something you'd need knobblies on? Mountain Goat only?

Got basic dual purpose tyres on the GSA (Heidenau K76) and was thinking of exploring this as I head north tomorrow, but I'm luggaged up and not keen on trying to be a mountain goat on a 250kg bike (+ me, + luggage)

The only web link I found showed it as a mud pit, but that's perhaps time of the year...

edit: Would be doing it from the south, heading north.

[Ender EnZed]

When I last went along there in... October(?) there were only a couple of particularly soft mud puddle/holes. It might be completely different now but you'll probably be fine.

EDIT: The south end is the tricky end so if you change your mind you won't have lost too much time.

[Phreaky Phil]

We went through about 5 weeks ago. A few mud holes but no worries. We were 2 up on the DR and 1 of our crew had a KTM 990 2 up. Once it starts raining it could get different !! Watch out for crazies on quads.

[Eddieb]

Bear in mind the gorge is still closed so you can't head to palmy from the north end of North Range road.

[banditrider]

I haven't been over it in a few years (not taken the DL up there yet) but it can be very muddy and slippery when wet. But on the other hand we haven't had any decent rain in ages...

Not here on Sunday? Back roads ride on Sunday...plenty of gravel and it will take you North...

[Gremlin]

Bear in mind the gorge is still closed so you can't head to palmy from the north end of North Range road.

Yep, I guessed the road came out east of the slip, but I've never done Saddle Rd, so figured I'd take that option.

Not here on Sunday? Back roads ride on Sunday...plenty of gravel and it will take you North...

Up in Taupo by Saturday evening, Will probably double check Kaimanawa Forest area for map accuracy, and also want to go play in the Whirinaki Forest a bit more... have to be in Auckland by Sunday evening...

Thanks guys, reckon I'll have a look then

[Gremlin]

Just to complete the thread for now... I didn't end up exploring the road (it's been added to my very long list of "must explore roads" of course) as KoroJ had joined me for my ride north, and while I'd suckered him into gravel once, his desire was gone the 2nd time, and he was having no part of Hall Block and North Range. Figured it would take me a bit long to get through and meet him at the end, so skipped it...

Still explored a lot of other roads around Apitu and Main South Rd, north of Ashurst.