Whangamomona & lost highway?

[Padmei]

I've found the pub on google maps but what or where is the forgotten highway thing. How long would I expect to take to see it? Thinking of an overnight from wellywood.

[Eddieb]

It's the state highway from Taumaranui to whatever it's called where it comes out near New Plymouth. The best bit I reckon is Taumaranui to Whangamomona.

At the pub, SH58 or whatever it is takes a right at a T junction (if coming from Taumaranui) though it may not be obvious unless you zoom right in. If you turn left at the pub thats the old Whanga road that goes to the bridge to nowhere.

[Howie]

SH43 From Taurmanunui to Stratford is the Forgotten world Highway. If your looking for something more challenging you want to include the Old Whangamomona rd from Whangamomona. Showen as Whangamomona road on Google maps. Couple of reasonably long days for a round trip from Wellington if you fit in some of the other back roads on the way.

[nerdneh]

I've found the pub on google maps but what or where is the forgotten highway thing. How long would I expect to take to see it? Thinking of an overnight from wellywood.

If you are in that area you should try and do the forgotten tunnels ride 320kms of twisty sometimes single lane gravel roads , from memory 10 historic holes thru hills dug by hand when men were men & no girls amongst them . A ride not to be missed.!

[nooles]

SH43 From Taurmanunui to Stratford is the Forgotten world Highway. If your looking for something more challenging you want to include the Old Whangamomona rd from Whangamomona. Showen as Whangamomona road on Google maps. Couple of reasonably long days for a round trip from Wellington if you fit in some of the other back roads on the way.

The gate at the Aotuhia may be closed for lambing , im heading out in the next few days so I'll let you know. We have had alot of rain the past week or 2 and she is pretty shitty out there

[sootie]

SH43 From Taurmanunui to Stratford is the Forgotten world Highway. If your looking for something more challenging you want to include the Old Whangamomona rd from Whangamomona. Showen as Whangamomona road on Google maps. Couple of reasonably long days for a round trip from Wellington if you fit in some of the other back roads on the way.

Stay a night at the Whangamomona Hotel or you will miss half the fun.
They will provide dinner bed & breakfast which is just as well - there is nothing else available food wise in town.
Go for a wander through town about dusk & have a look around a genuine old NZ Ghost town!

The local garage/machine shop opposite the hotel had a TV going & was wide open all night. There was enough gear available to build yourself a chopper from scratch but I never saw a soul around it late evening or early the next morning - don't ask me how that works! They closed the Post office in the 1950s, and I don't think it has been touched since. The whole town actually declared itself an Independent Republic some years ago!

As if that is not enough, enjoy the ride too!!

[That looks like fun]

Whanga Road at this time of year
Most of the sheep stations in the Naki are under lock and key until the end of October. Even if you got through the road you would find the gate locked and then you would have to backtrack
Sounds like Nooles will check the gate thing fer ya but, I still wouldnt press my luck with the Whanga, unless you were in a group
No fuel from Tamaranui to Stratford, and suprisingly enough there is none going the other way either
If your keen on a ride in the Naki I am sure we could shackle together an escort for ya (not that sort you filthy perverts )
Just got back from a day tyre testing in the Waitaanga's, what do ya reckon Nooles, shall we lead him astray?

[nooles]

Whanga Road at this time of year
Most of the sheep stations in the Naki are under lock and key until the end of October. Even if you got through the road you would find the gate locked and then you would have to backtrack
Sounds like Nooles will check the gate thing fer ya but, I still wouldnt press my luck with the Whanga, unless you were in a group
No fuel from Tamaranui to Stratford, and suprisingly enough there is none going the other way either
If your keen on a ride in the Naki I am sure we could shackle together an escort for ya (not that sort you filthy perverts )
Just got back from a day tyre testing in the Waitaanga's, what do ya reckon Nooles, shall we lead him astray?

YES

[Eddieb]

Make sure you put the 42nd traverse in your schedule too Padders

[dino3310]

jeesh... nooles and colin leading a ride, this could be interesting

[Gremlin]

In answer to your original question: http://maps.google.co.nz/maps?q=stra...Ye8ABQ&t=m&z=9

150km, if they lead you astray, you'll need x amount of range for that...

[Padmei]

Thanks for your replies.
Cheers gremlin seeing it on the map helps a lot.

I'm not going for a month or so but thought I'd start planning.

Now where is that lost tunnel road & the 42nd traverse? I'm taking Schmidt & only plan on doing gravel roads not full on adv stuff.

[Blackbird]

If you're coming up to the Forgotten Highway, you might as well take the opportunity to do the Gentle Annie road too to make a really fantastic ride. You can see a map, photos and story of our ride last year here:

http://geoffjames.blogspot.co.nz/201...our-day-1.html

There are 3 parts to the ride report.

Hope it's of interest.

Cheers,

Geoff

[Eddieb]

Thanks for your replies.
Cheers gremlin seeing it on the map helps a lot.

I'm not going for a month or so but thought I'd start planning.

Now where is that lost tunnel road & the 42nd traverse? I'm taking Schmidt & only plan on doing gravel roads not full on adv stuff.

Well you may as well scratch Old Whangamomona road then unless it's mid summer dry. While overall it's flat it's also all papa clay which is slipperyer(sp) than a slippery thing when damp. Even the slightest incline becomes a serious obstacle.

42nd traverse is well do-able on a big bike.

[dino3310]

how far north ya heading padmei, if dates line up some of us northern blokes might be able to head south for a meet and greet