Taihape-Napier road?

[mazz1972]

I'm planning on doing this on the weekend of 15th/16th March.

I intend to maybe stay Friday night in Taihape and take Zukins suggested route over the hill and stay somewhere in the Napier Hastings area on Sat night before heading down to Woodville maybe via Middle Rd from Havelock and along the coastal(ish) roads to Pahiatua then accoss the saddle and down to Shannon and on home.

I thought Middle Road was over-rated. I guess if I didn't ride like a nana I might have enoyed it more. I ca see why speedy sports bike riders would enjoy it. I like roads a bit more windy than that. Still it is a good alternative to the highway which can be notoriously busy with loads of trucks.

Can highly recommend the flying fox at gravity canyon!!

[Bonez]

That seems to be quite common for that neck of the woods.
I would pick a weekend that has a big fat anti cyclone parked over the nth island if good views are required.
It gets really gusty up there also. The shepards lay flat on the ground to roll a smoke.

If your heading up that way mark, give us a PM.

Ditto.

Yip gets gusty alright. Le Trog got blown over on it's last trip over it.

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...Napier+taihape

I'm a nana gravel/road rider btw.

[marks]

I thought Middle Road was over-rated. Still it is a good alternative to the highway which can be notoriously busy with loads of trucks.

Middle road is nothing special but a million times better than the(any) main road. Actually I just looked at my maps I there is a much more interesting option....

Head out of Havelock North towards Ocean Beach and then follow Kahurunaki rd to Elsthorpe then out to the coast and along Mangakuri Rd to Omakere then along the coastal route all the way down to Akito then inland to Pongaroa (nice bacon and egg sandwiches at corner store ) then onto the awesome Towai Rd and then via the Mikiro track to Pahiatua then over the saddle rd and home via Shannon.

It would be a longish day but I can live with that if the weather cooperates.