Another Wellington - Auckland - Wellington iteration

[skelstar]

Went for another ride up to Auckland. Each time I have made the trip I have tried to find a different way to go, at least for a part of the trip.

The Way Up

First, I headed over the Takas (Map1), along SH2 to Masterton where I turned off and joined onto the Masterton-Alfredton Road (map doesn't show Alfredton). A fantastic road with twisties, straights, sweepers, cowshit and patchy repairs. A bit like SH22 I reckon. This road (this leg anyway) continues on through to Eketahuna.

Further up the road I bypassed the Manawatu Gorge by heading up the Northern side onto Saddle Rd and stopped at the wind turbines. Quite a nice little road, but enough stock and pea-gravel to keep me in Nana-mode. I carried onto to Ashurst, Cheltnam, and Vinegar Hill. VH is a peach of a road. It has more twisty bits than I remember from last time (maybe cause I found a cop last time).

Taihape, Waiouru, Turangi *snore*...but the cars do make things slightly interesting. I swear I've done enough kms now that I'm getting really good at sneaky passing manouvres. I turned left at Turangi, sent a txt to my sis to say that I was coming up to stay, carried on up Kuratau Hill (more tight twisties) and headed up the Western side of lake Taupo. This road is lovelly so long as youre giving it a bit of a nudge. You really dont have to slow down very often for the corners.

Once I got to Mangakino I'm onto the Waipapa Dam Rd. A narrow and tight little road (a fave of Flame's) it's quite difficult to go fast if youre new to the road (and slow to start with). Its fun though, and clearly a better alternative to SH3/SH39. Its also the site of limbimtimwim's RVF400 breakdown so it has nostalga value *snigger*. Once I got to Kihikihi/Te Awamutu I noticed that my back tyre more squarer than round. Yikes. Rather than heading towards SH22 I Nana-ed my way to Ngaruwahia/Auckland via Pirongia.

Up There

Stayed with my ever accomodating Sister and her partner. Was intending to go on a 'Ride Up Norf' with Wraith and DMNTD and crew but because of my stuffed tyre I chilled for the day. Later I headed to KS19's place for a BBQ and get to see Paul for the first time since his accident. Good to see you again Paul...

The Way Back

Next morning after a cafe breakie I headed South on SH1 *mega-snore* all the while I'm being very careful with the throttle, nursing the bike but trying to have a bit of fun along the way. This time I'm heading to Te Kuiti via Ngaruwahia and SH39 (Map3 people!). I turn left at TK and head along SH30 towards Mangakino/Whakamaru again. MTrousers told me about this route and the first half is mint. Nice surface and some great twisties. Later on its a bit more straight and open, but you really feel like youre hundreds of miles from anywhere. Awesome, cheers Shane.

Whakamaru, headed back down the Western Lake Taupo road but turn off left 10kms down the road and head towards Mokai. Quite a good road, bit twisty again but quite narrow. Taupo was horrible...queues of traffic crawling into town. Gross, who would holiday there?...Aucklanders I decided. I finish my day of riding at my mates HUGE new place at Motuoapa. Sweet.

Two luxurious days of brilliant weather, Jetskiing, beer drinking and playstation leads me to nursing tyre-rubber challenged bike over the Desert Road and through to the Vinegar Hill turn off for a second go. A Firestorm joins me but I lose him along the tops while I continue on to the Pahiatua Track, and eventually Pahi itself. I got a bit of advice from a truck driver and I head into the wilderness once again to get to Alfredton by a different route (the pink line in Map1). Some good windy farm roads, cowshit EVERYWHERE just to keep you on your toes. Alfredton, Masterton, Gladstone, Takas, home.

To Finish
A blast. 1600kms total. Well worth the extra 200kms or riding. Arguably the tyre was in the same condition at the end...well the middle part anyway . The fuel consumption was about 30% better too, which is a good thing.

I think I'm getting close to the perfect route to and from Aucks.

[Str8 Jacket]

Cheers for the awesome write-up skel's! I found that quite an inspiring read.... At the moment im feeling quite anxious about riding the whole way to Auck in one day in what is expected to be continuos rain! Who know's maybe next time I might try one of your "exciting" trips to Auckland but at the moment im feeling brave just staying on SH1, lol!

[Hitcher]

Nice ride report.

You'll be signing up for a Grand Challenge at this rate...

[Meekey_Mouse]

Sounds like a cool trip The way out whakamaru is cool... esp. if you go on Kahu Rd. Taupo is sooo horrible at the moment, can't wait for all the Aucklanders to go home

[skelstar]

Have thought about it (Grand Chall), but I find enjoyment in making up the route myself and having a bit of a fang. I'd be pissing if it was pouring down and miserable for 24hours etc.

One day maybe.

[Kendog]

Thanks Sean, another excellent trip report.

We are heading up to Auckland again at the end of the month and might have to include some of the roads you describe.

[skelstar]

Cool...would be happy to have a yarn about some of the routes if you like. The Masterton diversions really were quite out of the way eh...still fun though.

[jeff]

Hi Skelstar

Sounds like you had a good ride.

We went through the Saddle Road about a year ago and there was pea gravel on the downhill side into Ashhurst with no warning signs there then too.

I noticed your map mentions "Pleckville" just before Eketahuna on the back road. We have been through there several times and haven't figured out which house, if any, is Pleckville. Anyone know?

Jeff and Chrissie

[skelstar]

...found some pics on my camera. Two from the wind farm North of Woodville (Saddle Rd).

[Alice]

I like your interesting photos, theres the helmet that would have made us twins ! ( your comment origionally )
Sounds like a fun trip.Good distance covered, shame about the destination, still Ak not to bad for a couple of days.

[skelstar]

...Ak not to bad for a couple of days.

Honestly it feels like it takes a couple of days to do the last 100kms...it really puts a dampner on the end of the trip. I go there for the people/friends.

Helmet: what did you get in the end (or on the end as it were)?

[Freakshow]

Great Write up Skelstar,

I never did get around to finishing mine. I have to agree that route you took is well worth the extra 200+kms

[WickedOne]

Great write-up mate!!! Pitty you couldn't join us for the Norfland ride, it was a bloody good day, about a 650km all-up. After reading you account of your journey all I want to do is go for another nice long ride to clear the head.

[XP@]

Some choice diversions there!

As Hitcher says think about the GC, from the looks of your route you and Mr Rusty have a similar sense of direction... except you are expected to do all 1600km's in one go... and sandwiched between a 400km round trip to Turangi!

[Alice]

Honestly it feels like it takes a couple of days to do the last 100kms...it really puts a dampner on the end of the trip. I go there for the people/friends.

Helmet: what did you get in the end (or on the end as it were)?

I know what you mean, I did a 3 week trip round the South Island last year and the drive, yes drive, back from Wgtn back to Napier seemed to take forever.

I ended up with a Shoei XR1000 gloss black, I have one really sore ear from taking it on and off so much.It got so sore the thought of having to take it off had me hesitating to do so, but yu cannot really stand there with it on all the time, now I have the knack of shoving one finger up to stop it getting bent, and no I am not a wingnut !