Anyone taken a road bike over to Waiheke?

[R1SK]

Hey all.

I'm heading over to Waiheke island in March for a wedding and was planning to make a long weekend of it and take the bike over with the girlfriend.

Outside of Onetangi and to the east I notice on Google that all the roads are unsealed except the one to Orapiu Bay.

- Anyone been over and can comment on the condition of the unsealed parts of the roads?? Would be really keen to know if road tyres would be suitable if it's hard-pack or otherwise if you'd need a DP with better tyres or something (as I might be able to get a loaner)..

Cheers!

[Gremlin]

I think even the sealed roads aren't in the best condition. Not a lot of the island is even 100kph and there aren't that many roads... Still, if you've never done it, do it. once.

[clonak]

I use to go over there fairly regularly doing deliveries in a truck. Shitty roads. DIdnt drive alot of the unsealed roads thankfully, but the ones I did, weren't too bad. Not any worse then the sealed roads atleast. Would definately be an interesting ride, but with a pillion, I dont know....

One time I was over there I thought I would scive off to the beach while I waited for the return ferry. Took a picture of the beach and water to send to my mate and gloat I was getting paid to be at the beach. Then I relised I locked the keys in the truck and almost missed my ferry.

[Akzle]

scooter bro!

[Warr]

Unless you are a novice you wont have any trouble on the roads.
Took my VFR over there one new years and it was a cool place to take a bike.
The southern loop was the only unsealed bit and no worries.

[tri boy]

+1 wot warr said.
Easy peasy, and on a fine day, the eastern end is stunning with great views over the gulf.
Carry a bottle of water and a snack, as food outlets are nil after Onetangi beach.

Locals tend to cut corners and are a bit inconsiderate.
Sealed roads have many pot holes.

[unstuck]

No, but I rode my XS400 around rangitoto and motutapu islands on road tires.

[george formby]

There was an article in last weeks motoring section of the Herald. A guy took a V-strom 6fiddly from Auks to Stony Batter for the day.
Last time I was over there on the TDM their was no a lot of difference between the tar seal & gravel. The pace is very slow so should not be a problem. I was on sports touring tires & it was drama free.

[Old Steve]

I went over last year for a long weekend. Most of the roads around Onetangi are narrower than mainland roads and the roads out east were unsealed (the big loop). At that time the unsealed roads were in quite good condition BUT time changes all unsealed roads so I wouldn't bet on it.

I remember thinking at the time that it was probably best that I hadn't brought the bike.

[Motu]

I lived on Waiheke from '86 to '97 - in the hippy days before it became trendy and the money moved over. Nearly all the roads were gravel, and I rode them on everything from 50cc scooters to 750 triples and 4's. I love gravel of course, but the roads were different to what I was used to in Auckland and Northland. They are made from ''rotten rock'' which comes from the local quarry - this stuff breaks up very easily, you can crumble it in your hands. So roads are freshly laid with rejects, these are rocks the size and shape of kumaras, and over time get smaller and smaller. Best thing about the roads is they don't really form wheel tracks, so there is traction, or lack of traction depending on your point of view over all the road surface. I loved these roads, and coming back to Auckland found the bluestone roads with wheel tracks something I had to learn all over again.

[R1SK]

Unless you are a novice you wont have any trouble on the roads.
Took my VFR over there one new years and it was a cool place to take a bike.
The southern loop was the only unsealed bit and no worries.

Brilliant! Very encouraging feedback, cheers

[R1SK]

Awesome response cheers all. Once again KiwiBiker delivers! Up-votes for all!!

+1 wot warr said.
Easy peasy, and on a fine day, the eastern end is stunning with great views over the gulf.
Carry a bottle of water and a snack, as food outlets are nil after Onetangi beach.

Locals tend to cut corners and are a bit inconsiderate.
Sealed roads have many pot holes.

Not just in Waiheke but solid advice nonetheless. Had a couple v e r y close calls just yesterday out west. Think a few people "enjoyed" Waitangi Day a bit too much before driving home...

Then I relised I locked the keys in the truck and almost missed my ferry.

LOL crack-up!