Seeking Welly crew advice.

[tri boy]

So I'm head'n over to Hastings on Fri to met up with my mate, who has bought a bike through Motomart.
I'm riding shotgun in the ute on the way down, and then driving said ute back from Welly, while John is going to ride his new/second hand wheels back.
Question: Is hwy57, (old Wellington Coach Rd) a good bit of road for a ride back.
I was thinking of turning out towards Wimbledon at Eketahuna, and then heading to Waipukurau from there.
Guess it all depends on time. It will be a gentleish shake down run back to Hastings, but some twisties would be nice, because John has told me to bring my helmet.

[merv]

If you want a good ride don't turn off at Eketahuna turn off earlier at Masterton on to the Castlepoint Road then hang a left just a few kms out of town to take the road to Alfredton and head North that way. Alfredton is where the Eketahuna turnoff meets that road. Its cool all the way up through Pongaroa. Go for it and on the bike he'll love it.

[NinjaNanna]

Don't forget to throw a piece of timber or something in the back of the ute to use as a ramp.

Easy to forget, but you'll kick yourself if you forget it and its needed

[tri boy]

Don't forget to throw a piece of timber or something in the back of the ute to use as a ramp.

Easy to forget, but you'll kick yourself if you forget it and its needed

Oh hell yeah.
Hopefully it wont be required, but "Murphy" can show up anywhere. Thanks for the route suggestion merv.
Weather is looking glorious for the weekend.

[merv]

Check out this thread http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...ad.php?t=52422 and you'll get a bit of an idea of the road because we did the Masterton Alfredton bit on that ride but then turned back and headed home via Eketahuna not going on to Pongaroa. Its all nice sealed roads. If you go right up the top to Wimbledon then to Waipukurau via Porangahau I think that's as good as sealed the whole way now too.

[KoroJ]

Great ride. I went through to Waipuk two months ago. You just have to be careful between Alfredton & Pongaroa (odd bit of pea gravel) but rest of the road is in very good condition.

[MD]

Great ride. I went through to Waipuk two months ago. You just have to be careful between Alfredton & Pongaroa (odd bit of pea gravel) but rest of the road is in very good condition.

And watch for wandering stock and wandering tractors on the road. There are some tight sections so don't rush into blind bends. Like Merv said, go Alfredon towards Weber, fantastic scenery and twisties. Fill up at Masterton, or Eketahuna if you are that way inclined, because there is sweet bugger all gas out those back roads, or cell phone coverage.

[merv]

Just to update you on road conditions we went up to Porangahau today via Alfredton, Pongaroa and Wimbledon and the road is definitely sealed all the way and not in bad nick just a few slumps the council are repairing here and there that are fenced off.