Best route Auckland to Tauranga?

**WRT** · 16th November 2007, 09:48

What's the best way down to Tauranga, specifically Pyes Pa? Ideally with a mix of interesting roads but still relatively direct and not too much traffic - I'm leaving after work and dinner is waiting for me at the other end so I don't want to take all night to get down there.

My usual route (in the car at least) is down SH1, across to Tahuna, through Matamata, then over the Kaimais. I've always been a fan of the road from Paeroa through Waihi and down, but the traffic seems to be worse that way and it's hard to get a good run through the gorge (the best bit) so I've all but ruled that way out. Plus it is a good trip up the passing lane on the Matamata side of the Kaimais and it's definitely a shorter journey overall.

I'm thinking perhaps down SH1, through Tahuna, out to Te Aroha, then along the base of the Kaimais? I've never been through Te Aroha though, what's the roads like for bikes through there? Better than the Matamata straights, surely?

I'm also open to suggestions for the trip home on Sunday, as I'll have more time then. Perhaps up to Waihi, then Whangamata, Hikuai, Kopu and home? And does anyone want to tag along for all or part of the journey?

**nodrog:Me** · 16th November 2007, 10:05

Originally Posted by WRT

I'm thinking perhaps down SH1, through Tahuna, out to Te Aroha, then along the base of the Kaimais? I've never been through Te Aroha though, what's the roads like for bikes through there? Better than the Matamata straights, surely?

the Te Aroha to Kaimais road is pretty interesting, there are some cool rises in the road in places that you can "accidently" get airbourne over. just keep your wits about you for cows crossing the road (but most of that should be over by the time you go through), and the road does get narrow with no marked centerline for a bit, so keep left because John Deere tractors are farkin big!

oh and if some freaky looking dude runs out at you and trys to hump your leg, dont panic, thats just Kornholio saying hello.

**Cajun** · 16th November 2007, 10:15

Give us a yell if ya want some company on sunday, for a hop over the hill.

I often come down thru tahuna, and mornsville, matamata then kamais home, coming down this way you can do 22 some of the way, instead of boring SH 1. You are looking around 200kms so would budget on 2hour trip, i normal do SH1->tahuna etc, and by myself i normal do it 1.40ish on the bike.

heading out to tearoha is sorta riding across the country instead of down, and the road from te aroha to base of kamais (along side of it), is pretty much straight road, with lots of rises, good for fast speed, but some rises don't look that big until you hit them at 2x legal limit then you get plenty air born.

**nodrog:Me** · 16th November 2007, 10:33

P.S. its pissing down with rain here today.

**Cajun** · 16th November 2007, 10:35

Originally Posted by nodrog

P.S. its pissing down with rain here today.

meant to fine up later on,

**WRT** · 16th November 2007, 10:40

22 on the way home could be the go, I'm surprised I didnt think of that as I know the way through to Glen Murray from taking the CR down to Thunder Cross valley.

Yeah, the weathers pretty av up here at the moment too, but the forecast for this arvo and all weekend is supposed to be pretty good.

**Cajun** · 16th November 2007, 10:41

yeah drop us a line could come up some way on sunday with ya,

**WRT** · 16th November 2007, 10:45

Originally Posted by Cajun

yeah drop us a line could come up some way on sunday with ya,

Sweet as, will do

**MotoGirl** · 16th November 2007, 11:48

Originally Posted by Cajun

yeah drop us a line could come up some way on sunday with ya,

On what exactly?

**Cajun** · 16th November 2007, 11:54

Originally Posted by MotoGirl

On what exactly?

i got a bike donno about you, bweahahahhaa

**Cajun** · 16th November 2007, 15:03

Still raining down these parts WRT, but getting better than it was earlyer.

**Swoop** · 16th November 2007, 16:28

Originally Posted by Cajun

You are looking around 200kms so would budget on 2hour trip

'ang on! I'm shit at maths, but that is... *sounds of calculator being tapped*

THE OPEN ROAD SPEED LIMIT!!!

NEVER happen if organised through KB...

**Cajun** · 16th November 2007, 16:46

i said budget, not what acutally happens.

**WRT** · 18th November 2007, 17:59

Took about 2.5hrs in the end. The first 40 mins was spent filtering through the traffic and rain, but once that all cleared up I had a good run down, doing a little tikitour through Te Aroha. Think that will be my new route, adds a little bit to the journey but it's far better bike country than the straights of Matamata.

**MotoGirl** · 18th November 2007, 20:32

Originally Posted by WRT

Took about 2.5hrs in the end. The first 40 mins was spent filtering through the traffic and rain, but once that all cleared up I had a good run down, doing a little tikitour through Te Aroha. Think that will be my new route, adds a little bit to the journey but it's far better bike country than the straights of Matamata.

And bypassing the Okoroire too I hear