Whangamomona Road

[zzrriders]

Hi we are intending to rock over to NP via the whangam rd. Any up dates out there on the current condition?

Also re the round the mountain trip is the coast rd on the inner route better?

Will the wind ruin my hair when i take my helmet off.?

[trumpy]

Take a look at these threads:

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...ad.php?t=41565

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...ad.php?t=41383

This is a great ride, not be missed. The road is in very good condition and the dirt section no problem on a sprot bike.

P.S. It's Taranaki, it's windy and of course it'll mess up yer hair! Wear some hair gel and go anyway.................

[pritch]

Also re the round the mountain trip is the coast rd on the inner route better?

If you want to do the scenic thing use the coast road "Surf Highway 45" or whatever. If you are in a hurry you could use the inland (Wiremu) Road.

Will the wind ruin my hair when i take my helmet off.?

No, your helmet will have already done that.

[peanuteater]

Hi we are intending to rock over to NP via the whangam rd. Any up dates out there on the current condition?

Did the new plymouth to taumranui ride on monday (8th jan) via whanga, road is in pretty good condition, the unsealed bit is ok, was doing an ave off 50 ks on it, could have comfortably done a bit faster, but was by myself and didnt want to push it to much, worst bit to me was the tunnel, and getting the eyes used to the change of light -best i can rem, there was mesh all the way thru... if youre lucky and and its a fine hot day, and youre really getting into the twisties, theres a couple of places to watch for melting tar on the saddles, front wheel slid slightly a couple of times.

[nadroj]

20Th January is republic day at Whanga so whether or not you want to join in the festivities or not you may want to avoid the traffic etc.

[zzrriders]

thanks guys, thats good information. Biggest question is should i clean the brutess before going? Yeh- but just because inhaling metal polish is good for the testorone levels .

[Goblin]

thanks guys, thats good information. Biggest question is should i clean the brutess before going? Yeh- but just because inhaling metal polish is good for the testorone levels .

Only if you have nothing better to do...ya bike will be filthy when you get home, mine still is after last weekend. Great ride though! Well worth it.

[Hitcher]

Question: Is the Inglewood Pohokura Saddle road fully sealed, or is there still a stretch of gravel after Matau?

[Goblin]

Question: Is the Inglewood Pohokura Saddle road fully sealed, or is there still a stretch of gravel after Matau?

The only stretch of gravel is after the tunnel for about 10 kms. All the saddle parts are sealed....although some bits were melted already.

[Hitcher]

The only stretch of gravel is after the tunnel for about 10 kms. All the saddle parts are sealed....although some bits were melted already.

That's the Tangarakau Gorge. I'm interested in the Inglewood to Pohokura Saddle stretch (the alternate way in to Whangamomona that avoids Stratford, Toko, Douglas, Strathmore and Te Wera).

[nadroj]

Question: Is the Inglewood Pohokura Saddle road fully sealed, or is there still a stretch of gravel after Matau?

Lots of metal on that road from about 8km past Tarata to the end & quite rutty. (Goblin) That is the road we stopped at the end of on our way to Whanga.

[Goblin]

That's the Tangarakau Gorge. I'm interested in the Inglewood to Pohokura Saddle stretch (the alternate way in to Whangamomona that avoids Stratford, Toko, Douglas, Strathmore and Te Wera).

Sorry, can't help you there. Would be interested in that route too though.

edit: nadroj's onto it!

[pritch]

I did that road years ago on a BMW 650 GS which is about the right tool for the job. I think the road is unsealed all the way from Purangi. I was at Purangi a few weeks ago and saw where the seal starts, I've seen where it ends lately too, so I guess the bit in the middle remains unsealed.

[jeff]

Yaay! finally got through the Whangamomona Road at Easter. We were going to go through after our trip away at Xmas, but the weather was horrible (took the two Honda Bros's)

We went up on Saturday to Opunake, left here at 1.30 and got to Hawera at 5.30. Stopped at a bar/restaurant at Hawera for tea, ordered the mixed bar snack for $20.00 and ended up feeding half the bar. They bought out this huge platter of food! People there were really friendly and chatty from the moment we walked into the place.

Stayed at the Motel & Backpackers at Opunake. The owner let us put our bikes in his garage and gave us the keys too. We stayed in the backpacker lodge - $20pp for a made up bed. Reminded me of flatting days. There was no food in the fridge, just alcohol. Felt like Mum and Dad, the average age staying there was about 20.

Went on to New Plymouth in the morning and took a look up the Mt Egmont Village Road. The road is a bit green in places. Saw a sign about the bike show in New Plymouth while passing through Inglewood (bugger!). Went across the Whangamomona Road (didn't fall off in the unsealed bit!) and finally got to Taumaranui. Went across to Turangi then down to the Rangipo Road and across to National Park Headquarters and then back across the Ohakune Road to Waiouru. Stayed at the motorcamp at Taihape last night and came home via Vinegar Hill, Feilding,Shannon etc.

Did 500K yesterday. I felt a bit knackered, but Jeff was ready for some more. Maybe I will just kill the smart alec now! I can't help being old and tatty!

We had really good weather. Pretty lucky really. (1,084k all up)

Chrissie

[pritch]

So which of the Hawera hostelries did you visit? You make it sound so good I'd better check it out myself...

I hope SH43 had enough twisty bits for you :-)