Auckland to the MMMMM, Friday 27 July

**Crisis management** · 20th July 2012, 10:07

I am absconding from work friday to do my usual west coast wander to the MMMMM start if anyone wants to tag along or suggest other routes etc.

My usual impeccable plan is:

IF it's raining, wait till later in the day and head straight sounth via Mangakino, boringish but takes 3.5 hours to Taupo.

If it's fine......

Leave the Autobahn (sthrn motorway just past Papkura) at 8.00 am

West coast to Raglan, then Kawhia and on to Pio Pio, thats around 300kms so you may need fuel at Raglan or Kawhia.... usual diversions past Bridal Veils and a couple of back road loops before Pio Pio that make it more interesting (providing I don't get stuck like last time..

don't go down to the river flats in winter, it's muddy).

Refuel at Pio Pio then south on the Aria road before cutting back up to Benneydale and into the Pureora forest. Generally get semi lost in the forest, find the geographical centre of the north island (in case it moved since last time) and splash about in the ice and mud. After that it gets a bit boring, into Taupo and fuel up, head out to Rangiteikei (about 30 minutes riding), tell lies and drink beer!

Note:
It is a full days riding and there is not a lot of time for three course meals and coffee stops, a pie at Pio Pio is about it.
I want to get to Rangiteikei before dark (5.30) as it gets bloody cold after that.
You really want to be able to fix your own punctures and carry a map so if you get lost you can get un-lost.
It's all gravel and forestry tracks so nothing difficult and there are a couple of options for getting back on the main road if it becomes unpleasant.

I don't mind trying to meet up with people on the way down and can give estimates of when I will be there but if you aren't there, I'm not stopping as we will run out of daylight if we muck around.

Open to suggestions....

**.chris** · 20th July 2012, 10:42

Originally Posted by Crisis management

Open to suggestions....

I am not so keen on that route (Raglan,Kawhia,PoiPio I have done too many times), I was thinking of doing a semi boring trip down to Tirau, then doing the Leslie/Cecil Road into Rotorua, then down to Taupo and head into the Kaimanawa forest (Clements Mill road for a look), I figure with that route at least I am closeish to destination before any portenially time sucking deviations happen.
But Pueroa is a good idea, plenty of fun to be had in there. Maybe I shall skip the Cecil/Leslie road bit and try to meet you there somewhere, SH30 maybe? But I guess you will be pretty late arriving there, not giving much time for the Kiamanawa deviation. Decisions decisions eh!

**Shewolf** · 20th July 2012, 10:43

Not sure what I'll be doing yet - may work in the morning but will see how things are going next week.

**Crisis management** · 20th July 2012, 16:41

Originally Posted by .chris

I am not so keen on that route (Raglan,Kawhia,PoiPio I have done too many times), I was thinking of doing a semi boring trip down to Tirau, then doing the Leslie/Cecil Road into Rotorua, then down to Taupo and head into the Kaimanawa forest (Clements Mill road for a look), I figure with that route at least I am closeish to destination before any portenially time sucking deviations happen.
But Pueroa is a good idea, plenty of fun to be had in there. Maybe I shall skip the Cecil/Leslie road bit and try to meet you there somewhere, SH30 maybe? But I guess you will be pretty late arriving there, not giving much time for the Kiamanawa deviation. Decisions decisions eh!

Know what you mean by been that way before.... I just hate the 640 on the seal tho!

Kaimanawa thing sounds interesting, I've never been in there but have heard there is lots to look at, we will see if anyone is interested in either route and I may be persuaded to modify my route to get to Pureora earlier... I'd want to be at Pureora by 1-ish tho to leave enough time for kaimanawa... I will have a think!

**Waihou Thumper** · 20th July 2012, 17:56

I got Friday off too...so if you want a joiner, I am sure we can find a suitable route South.

**Steelie** · 21st July 2012, 16:33

I also have Friday off. Leaving my options wide open at this stage. One option being to start my ride from Clints place. (Because its bloody boring till you get to Tirau) Get to Clints mid morning and explore the lakes etc and spend the day getting to Rangitaiki. Have done no riding in that area except to Clints on the way to Gisborne/East Cape Ride.
Have done Pureroa 3 weeks ago with the Long Way Round and bloody good it was to.
Kiamanawa would be good to have a look at.....
Will keep an eye on the thread and see what you guys come up with.

Ants

**paturoa** · 21st July 2012, 17:06

I've go Friday off as well, but will have a couple of erands to run before I leave, so probably will be leaving around mid day.

**That looks like fun** · 22nd July 2012, 10:18

Waitaramoa Rd
I have Friday off and am travelling up to Bennydale either by Ohura or Pio Pio

If you fine bunch of merry men are keen there is a track that needs some exploring up the aforementioned Rd

I,m just sayin

**Waihou Thumper** · 22nd July 2012, 10:43

Originally Posted by That looks like fun

Waitaramoa Rd
I have Friday off and am travelling up to Bennydale either by Ohura or Pio Pio

If you fine bunch of merry men are keen there is a track that needs some exploring up the aforementioned Rd

I,m just sayin

Heads towards the forestry. You done Ringinui road and before that Taupaki Rd, with a little detour down a small paper road alongside a farm.

**That looks like fun** · 22nd July 2012, 11:00

Waitaramoa Rd is the road almost opposite the forestry

Ringinui or Ranginui?

**Waihou Thumper** · 22nd July 2012, 11:05

Originally Posted by That looks like fun

Waitaramoa Rd is the road almost opposite the forestry

Ringinui or Ranginui?

Ranginui sorry then Wairehi Rd to Taupaki. I will be doing it, but from the north...

**ducatijim** · 22nd July 2012, 14:24

I got Friday orf too!

**Gremlin** · 22nd July 2012, 19:28

Bastards... I'll leave after work on Friday evening and head to Taupo for the night... I suppose I should say "Hope you have fun"

but I don't

**Crisis management** · 22nd July 2012, 20:22

Originally Posted by That looks like fun

Waitaramoa Rd is the road almost opposite the forestry

Ringinui or Ranginui?

Thank you gentlemen, took me a while to find those roads but I will definately add them to the friday list. I'm not offering to meet up as that will be too difficult, but I will look out for you and hope to see you.

**That looks like fun** · 22nd July 2012, 20:40

Originally Posted by Crisis management

Thank you gentlemen, took me a while to find those roads but I will definately add them to the friday list. I'm not offering to meet up as that will be too difficult, but I will look out for you and hope to see you.

But you wont know where to explore unless we meet

Not keen on poking my nose too far in there alone as it involves a few river crossings

Bugger Phil sending his bike to America just when I find somewhere new to explore