is SH43 sealed?

**cowboyz** · 17th January 2006, 19:18

from Stratford to Taumarunui? Is it sealed? good road/bad road?

**froggyfrenchman** · 17th January 2006, 19:21

My stepfather did it last weekend. Recons there's a bit of gravel and its the best bike road in the country. he loved it so much, at stratford he refueled and went back the same way

**Pixie** · 17th January 2006, 19:23

There's about 20 km unsealed between Tahora and Tatu.
I've been told the rest of the road is worth the trouble of the unsealed bit.

**cowboyz** · 17th January 2006, 19:35

i might go have a look another time. going for a trip up that way next sunday and looking for a different way home. Riding with a kawa 1500 cruiser and not sure what he thinks about gravel. I would prefer not to ride on gravel but if I have to then.////..

Still might do the awakino gorge and come back that way yet. Might just come home via the highway. such a mystery..

**Motu** · 17th January 2006, 19:37

18km in Tangarakau Gorge,definatly the best road in the country,

**Jackrat** · 17th January 2006, 19:38

Originally Posted by Pixie

There's about 20 km unsealed between Tahora and Tatu.
I've been told the rest of the road is worth the trouble of the unsealed bit.

That's exactly 12kms,it just feels like 20.
If anybody from here get's out that way,stop at the cafe at Tahora,the owners are very bike friendly,as they would be,their members of the Rusty Nuts MC.

**Hitcher** · 17th January 2006, 19:40

Those numbers on Transit signs on bridges, like the 903 in the above photo. What's that all about?

**Jackrat** · 17th January 2006, 20:05

Originally Posted by Hitcher

Those numbers on Transit signs on bridges, like the 903 in the above photo. What's that all about?

I'm pretty sure their just an ID number so road works can find the right bridge.Might sound a bit odd until you realise some rivers like the Mohaka has three bridges across it inside of about 1 Km.
There's an idea for a Rusty ride in this somewhere.

**emaN** · 18th January 2006, 12:17

Great road!
Did it just before NewYears... no traffic, a few other bikes around, great scenery!

Saw couple of cruisers coping ok with it too.

Bike was FILTHY afterwards tho', skanky ho'! Dust everywhere!

Gonna be a regular ride once it's sealed the way thru'

**sAsLEX** · 18th January 2006, 14:40

So the quickest way from Auckland to New Plymouth would now be sh1, ridge road, sh22, sh35, then to taramuni, then 43 then 45! hmmm a long ride but might do that next time I am heading home.