Recommend routes between Akl and mid-North Island?

[Bend-it]

I'm out of my usual haunts at the moment, waddling around the big smoke. Suddenly there's no wind to fight with, not that much rain, lots of sun, and traffic!

I came up via SH1 to Taupo and stayed the night. Took SH27 from Tirau, through Matamata up the rest of the way.

Anyway, I'm headed back to Wellington over the weekend, Akl to somewhere mid-NI on Saturday then rest of the way on Sunday.

Any routes to recommend for my ride back south?

[clint640]

Stay West: SH22 then down through Te Awamutu etc, from there either inland past Mangakino, round the back of Taupo then over the Paraparas to Wanganui, or head back out to the coast down the Awakino Gorge & round the outside of the 'Naki.

Cheers
Clint

[WRT]

Through Matamata is pretty boring . . . those straights are pretty mind (and arse) numbing. If you want a bit of variation on that, then you can cut between SH1 and SH27 via Tahuna, this places 20-30 mins (depending on how you ride) of fun in the middle without actually lengthening your journey. All three routes from the Bombays to Tirau (straight down SH1, straight down SH27, or SH1-Tahuna-SH27) are all within about 10 mins of each other time wise, close enough that a good run on any can make them the quickest route on the day.

You can also go down SH1 and turn off to the right at Ngaruawahia, then head down towards Te Kuiti etc. Can come out either by Tokoroa or Turangi, or keep heading down through National Park towards the lower NI. This way is about 30-40 mins longer than heading straight down via SH1, but is a fair bit more interesting. There is a distinct lack of passing lanes, but this obviously doesnt matter on a bike.

Edit: Note that the above suggestions are aimed at people wanting to make the ride (or drive for that matter) a bit more interesting without seriously lengthening the time taken in traveling.

[kiwifruit]

bombay to taupo record stands at 90min by an unnamed party on an unnamed bike

if you are feeling lucky

[Bend-it]

Ooh!! which route?

WRT & Clint> Thanks for those suggestions... I'm studying maps at the moment...

[RC1]

bombay to taupo record stands at 90min by an unnamed party on an unnamed bike

if you are feeling lucky

i know of someone who did it a tad quicker than that

[Bend-it]

Hmmm, what about SH1 - SH22 (Ngaruawahia) - Te Kuiti, then west on SH3, night over at New Plymouth, then back to Welly tomorrow, via coastal route, Hawera, Wanganui, Bulls etc.

About 4 hrs per leg... might and I've never been North of Hawera in the Naki!

Any comments about the Taumaranui - Stratford Rd?

[Cajun]

bombay to taupo record stands at 90min by an unnamed party on an unnamed bike

if you are feeling lucky

thats rather fast wises tells me that is 233 kms from taupo center city to bombay, works out average of 155kms per say
thats going direct route SH 1 all way tho

[kiwifruit]

i know of someone who did it a tad quicker than that

damn!
will tell my friend to up her game...

[nodrog:Me]

Hmmm, what about SH1 - SH22 (Ngaruawahia) - Te Kuiti, then west on SH3, night over at New Plymouth...

theres some pretty good riding to be had between Te Kuiti and New Plymouth, Awakino Gorge and Mount Messenger, etc.

[Bend-it]

I'm back in good old Welly now, and the ride was magic! Left Auckland at about 1pm on Saturday, after lunch with some mates and went down the dreary Southern M'way. Headed towards New Plymouth, and yeah, the final hour or so was a spectacular ride!

Stayed the night there, and came back the rest of the way yesterday... overall very nice ride... thanks for the suggestions everyone!