I'd stick to HW1 if you don't want to rush and also don't want to take in faster twisty detours. On a bike the extra traffic on HW1 doesn't really hold you up. The Taupo township detour is a time saver. But I love stopping in at Taupo for a break and hitting golf balls into the lake.
If you do fancy some more enjoyable riding detours then;
Turn right at Tokoroa on to HW32 to Whakamaru dam and after that take a left onto Pohihi Rd, which takes you through beaut scenery to Taupo township.
Turn left 200 metres before entering Mangaweka township and blast through a gorge to Rangiwahia and on to Kimbolton (this is awesome bike country and will wear out the limits of your tyres sidewall edges. Take care on entering some of the blind corners, they can tighten up and have long drops off the side of cliffs.
I go to Hamilton a lot to visit family and the cheapest gas is in Putaruru (Waitomo brand I think?) and the Gull about 15 minutes north of Taupo.
ENJOY the ride
Happiness is a means of travel, not a destination
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