Large Falcon Collider
Im dreaming up a kick arse 'tour' of the lower north island and was wondering about the Taihape-Napier road and was wondering about the suitability for bikes? I think its called the 'gentle-annie'? I remember my folks taking us kids along that road one year many moons ago and it being slightly gravelly. Anyone know?
Thanks.
"If life gives you a shit sandwich..." someone please complete this expression
The instructions are simple...
Do you realise how many holes there could be if people would just take the time to take the dirt out of them?
Large Falcon Collider
Thanks dude. Not really a huge fan of the gravel (still a noob I guess). Looks like a good ride though.Originally Posted by MSTRS
Where do the HB faithful take their rides during playtime (other than road above)?
"If life gives you a shit sandwich..." someone please complete this expression
Taranaki Hardcore Biker
The ride either side of the gravel is well worth it. Went through there a few years back mid summer on my then 2000 RSV Mille R, not the best bike for attacking the 50 ? odd K's of gravel. When we went through it was dry as buggery and some of the gravel was like riding on marbels, ideal time would be a few days after some rain to settle things down.Godd luck !!
Large Falcon Collider
Hmm...marbles. Not good. Nice bike BTW.The ride either side of the gravel is well worth it. Went through there a few years back mid summer on my then 2000 RSV Mille R, not the best bike for attacking the 50 ? odd K's of gravel. When we went through it was dry as buggery and some of the gravel was like riding on marbels, ideal time would be a few days after some rain to settle things down.Godd luck !!
"If life gives you a shit sandwich..." someone please complete this expression
Norf Welly Massif
I would suggest you check out SH4 from Wanganui to Oakune, it's a mint piece of road.
The Unknown Rider
Taranaki Hardcore Biker
I agree with slingshot, go up to Wanganui then up the Parapara's then up Fields track to Waiouru, down towards Taihape then across the Gentle Annie's.
The time I did the Gentle Annies, I met a group in Rotorua (rode up previous day),then off to Opotoki,through the Waiweka Gorge,nearly to Gisborne and over the other Gentle Annie between Gisborne and Wairoa,back roads to napier,across the Gentle Annie and spent the night in Ohakune,then through the National Park to the 8 mile Junction and then home to NP.A most excellent adventure.
Large Falcon Collider
Yeah I intend to do the Paraparas sometime soon. Dont know about Feilds track so ill have to look it up.
Want to do Awakino Gorge (sp? north naki through to Taumaranui) sometime soon too. Some good roads around but just have to trek out of Welly for a while to get to them.
"If life gives you a shit sandwich..." someone please complete this expression
www.russiantraverse.co.nz
The Napier Taihape road is qiute a long tough ride on a bike. 50k's of gravel is quite hard on a small road bike. If I were you I'd stick to the Napier-Taupo.
Once in Napier, I'd explore the roads to Taihape and out to Rissington etc, which are great roads, and turn around at the start of the gravel. You're not missing any of the good parts of the roads that way, and it's heaps less stressful.
If your're heading south out of Napier, go down middle road or even the tukituki road to waipawa and then go down route 52 from Waipukaru.
If you want to have a look at a map, come and cross the road. I'm in McKay building.
Cheers.
Taranaki Hardcore Biker
Let me know when you want to come up my way and I can show you up through the Awakino Gorge (just follow the black line,without sounding too wanky) and to the 8 mile Junction, we sometimes do the loop road fm. NP,8 mile,National park, Parapara's to Wanganui for Cemetry Circuit (sp)
Large Falcon Collider
Sounds good. Maybe Bartman10, Fraggle, Hamish would consider another day trip like the last oneLet me know when you want to come up my way and I can show you up through the Awakino Gorge (just follow the black line,without sounding too wanky) and to the 8 mile Junction, we sometimes do the loop road fm. NP,8 mile,National park, Parapara's to Wanganui for Cemetry Circuit (sp). Maybe a bit longer come to think...its 400km+ just to NP.
"If life gives you a shit sandwich..." someone please complete this expression
Deus ex ukulele
Hawke's Bay is a veritable biker's wet dream for sealed rides. There are many loops that can be ridden around this province, including a cut-down version of the Gentle Annie. Middle Road/Patangata/Elsthorpe is a personal favourite, as is the Bay View-Taradale Road. An up-and-back from Napier to Tutira is also great fun.
"Standing on your mother's corpse you told me that you'd wait forever." [Bryan Adams: Summer of 69]
The instructions are simple...
Indeed. Pass the tissues, someone.
Do you realise how many holes there could be if people would just take the time to take the dirt out of them?
C'mon lets ride....
There's only around 30ks of gravel now. Tis a good ride alright. Did it one winter just for the hell of it.
Large Falcon Collider
Anyone know if the road from past-woodville through Onga-Onga to Napier is any good? Looks like a reasonable detour from the slow-road through Waipuk.
"If life gives you a shit sandwich..." someone please complete this expression
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