Napier/Taihapi Rd

**Bonez** · 1st January 2005, 19:07

Anyone been over it recently?

**mattt** · 1st January 2005, 19:09

Yep - used to cycle up to the gravel very regularly. About 60km from Havelock to the end of the seal. Great ride. Not sure what it's like from Kurapapango - Taihape, but pretty sure gas stations are few & far between.

**Bonez** · 1st January 2005, 19:16

Originally Posted by mattt

Yep - used to cycle up to the gravel very regularly. About 60km from Havelock to the end of the seal. Great ride. Not sure what it's like from Kurapapango - Taihape, but pretty sure gas stations are few & far between.

The next gasso from Taradale is Taihape. It's one of our best keep secrets re riding. Around 30-40ks of gravel IIRC. Just wondered if the road had recently been riden by anyone here.

**mattt** · 1st January 2005, 19:24

Originally Posted by Bonez

The next gasso from Taradale is Taihape.

Mmm 155km - if it were tarseal the whole way I reckon I could empty a tank over that stretch.

**Bonez** · 1st January 2005, 19:54

Might do a ride over it in the next month or so, possibly with dad/mates, and take some pics. There's a free camping area on the gravel, Taradale side of the Gentle Annie. It's a very scenic ride. Done it a few times. My first was on a
rat cb500/4 with a fucken loud Cycleworks 4 into one fitted.

**MSTRS:Me** · 1st January 2005, 19:56

The Gentle Annie (Napier-Taihape Rd) starts from Fernhill. That is about 10k from Taradale. Closest gas is Caltex in Gloucester St or same in Omahu Rd Hastings - next gas is Taihape. Road is sealed for approx 60k at each end, hard packed dirt/gravel for approx 35k in middle (with a sealed section on a steep hill in the centre). Last time I went thru in a car maybe 6 weeks ago the gravel part was very corrugated in places, but otherwise OK. Sealed sections are brilliant on a bike. You thinking of a trip??

**Bonez** · 1st January 2005, 20:00

The "Gentle Annie" is the sealed hill in the middle. Was sealed because logging trucks where having trouble getting up in the wet when it was just gravel.

**MSTRS:Me** · 1st January 2005, 20:03

I knew that

**Bonez** · 1st January 2005, 20:11

Thanks for the recce report MSTRS.

**MSTRS:Me** · 1st January 2005, 20:13

Hey no worries - do you want to ride from this or that end?

**Bonez** · 1st January 2005, 20:19

Originally Posted by MSTRS

Hey no worries - do you want to ride from this or that end?

Most likely Taradale side. Dad lives in Havelock North. He mentioned he'd like to do on his R80.

**MSTRS:Me** · 1st January 2005, 20:21

Cool - if you want an extra PM me, got a brother in gumboot city & been threatening to invade. Ciao for now

**Gixxer 4 ever** · 1st January 2005, 20:21

Originally Posted by Bonez

The "Gentle Annie" is the sealed hill in the middle. Was sealed because logging trucks where having trouble getting up in the wet when it was just gravel.

This is true but it was equally hard to get up in the dry summers as the road surface went to corrugation and any shingle rolled off. So are you doing a trip over the road some time soon? Could be interested in tagging along.