Best route from Palmerston North to Masterton?

[Diggers]

Tomorrow I'm riding from Auckland to Upper Hutt. Never been thru the Wairarapa and was thinking of going thru there to Upper Hutt. Wises tells me the best route from P. North is over a road thru Makomako, rather than the main road thru Woodville. Is that short cut road a good one to ride? I don't want to go over some single lane gravel cart track!

[MSTRS:Me]

Nope, 2 lane, sealed all the way. It's known as The Pahiatua Track.

[LBD]

Tomorrow I'm riding from Auckland to Upper Hutt. Never been thru the Wairarapa and was thinking of going thru there to Upper Hutt. Wises tells me the best route from P. North is over a road thru Makomako, rather than the main road thru Woodville. Is that short cut road a good one to ride? I don't want to go over some single lane gravel cart track!

Yes mate its a real nice wee road. Went through there feb and enjoyed some of the tight twisties. Sealled the whole way. Was hot enough to melt tar when I went through.

[lankyman]

Go the Pahiatua track mate. Just be wary if it's your first time over, some corners are longer than they seem and some tighten fairly dramatically. Manawatu gorge is good fun also, but the track Is my personal favorite.

[lankyman]

You're gonna love the Rimutaka hill road between Featherston and the Hutt too.....

[Diggers]

I've heard of that part! Looking forward to it, hope I don't get too keen as I'll nearly be at the end of the ride and maybe a bit tired!

[Diggers]

Another query: Would it be quicker/nicer ride to take the back road thru Fielding (SH54) to get to PN, compared with the usual route down SH1? never done that road either.

[MSTRS:Me]

That road is known as Vinegar Hill and way better than staying on 1. In fact...
In general, for greatest enjoyment, always ride the higher numbered SHs or un-numbered. Makes for a very long trip Ak to Wgtn if you don't split it up into 2/3 days.

[Bonez]

Are you going to hang a left at Eketahua to Alfredton on to Masterton?

Also you can bypass Masterton altogether via Gladston and Martonborough and come out at Featherston. Carefull map/sign/reading is required though if you've never been that way before. It's not a short cut by any means.

Awesome set of roads.

[pritch]

I used the Pahiatua on Saturday, it's in good nick as far as I recall.
When I first went over it it was indeed a one lane gravel cart track but that was a while ago.
Like forty plus years ago.

The OP might benefit from owning a copy of "The NZ Motorcycle Atlas"?

[ducatilover]

pahiatua trak, turn onto the mangamaire road, hop over to the left when you reach hamua down sh2 and follow the signs past alfreton brilliant ride! even if you go to pahiatua then over tirumea hill and around that way

[mctshirt]

Pahiatua Track - Mangamaire Rd

[banditrider]

Are you going to hang a left at Eketahua to Alfredton on to Masterton?

Also you can bypass Masterton altogether via Gladston and Martonborough and come out at Featherston. Carefull map/sign/reading is required though if you've never been that way before. It's not a short cut by any means.

Awesome set of roads.

pahiatua trak, turn onto the mangamaire road, hop over to the left when you reach hamua down sh2 and follow the signs past alfreton brilliant ride! even if you go to pahiatua then over tirumea hill and around that way

Listen to these two - they know wot they're talking about!

[FJRider]

The OP might benefit from owning a copy of "The NZ Motorcycle Atlas"?

Anybody owning a motorcycle would benefit from a copy ...

[325rocket]

might have been said, i didnt read the whole thread ... but ...

BE BLOODY CAREFUL COMING OVER THE RIMUTAKA HILL TOMORROW!

its going to be very windy.