Taihape Napier road?

[Crisis management]

I need a bit of info about this road, I'm thinking of using it at some stage in the next couple of months and need to know how often it becomes impassable. For example, I would expect with the snow yesterday that it is not useable today but how often does this happen and is snow the only thing I need to be aware of?
The trip I make will be a bit of a spur of the moment thing, so I need to be able to look at a met map and make a decision so any advice is welcome.


To preclude the usual more helpful suggestions.....

Yes, I have sufficient latte to make the trip.
KTM's can be ridden in the rain, I've seen photos and am mentally prepared for the cleaning regime required.
Yes, I know HTFU is a magazine and no, I do not wish to subscribe.
I realise my passport may be required and I will contact my local tangata whenua to ensure the visas are obtained...Tri-boy?????
No, I will not drink Waikato, even if I have to drain the coolant and drink that instead.


Did I miss anything?


Iain.

[MSTRS:Me]

This road is closed due to snow, maybe 2/3x a year. Generally, it is safe to assume that if SH5 is a problem, then so will the Annie.

[Crisis management]

Ta.....

Another thought, as my current cunning plan puts me over the Gentle Annie in late afternoon and then up SH5 to Taupo in early evening at what time does the frost / ice appear on these roads.
I ask this as I recall being sideways at 100clicks on ice at mid morning on SH5 last winter and don't really want to repeat that experience!

[MSTRS:Me]

Hmmm...if weather is currently poor, don't do it. If bad weather has passed, then 'early' evening may be ok.

[XP@]

Have done it with chunky water about.
It was chilly.
Some of the water was mud, that was slippy.
It was no problem.
But i was on a beemer, so you may have problems on the KTM.

[CrazyFrog]

All of the above, it's all worth it, great little road.
There's always www.aaroadwatch.co.nz if you need to check up to date road conditons.

[Crisis management]

But i was on a beemer, so you may have problems on the KTM.

Thanks for that....I will be prepared and pack my slippers too!


Ooooh, do KTM do orange slippers?.....rushes off to KTM twins website

[Maha]

Thanks for that....I will be prepared and pack my slippers too!


Ooooh, do KTM do orange slippers?.....rushes off to KTM twins website

They do toasters...you could have hot crumpet for brekkie!!

[3L4NS1R]

They do toasters...you could have hot crumpet for brekkie!!

that is singularly the most awesome thing I've seen this week. And I see some awesome things during the course of my average week.

[Eddieb]

They do toasters...you could have hot crumpet for brekkie!!

LucasFilms do a Darth Vader one also.

[tri boy]

I will contact my local tangata whenua to ensure the visas are obtained...Tri-boy?????



Did I miss anything?


Iain.

Huge Koha required bro.
Mucho Peso's.
(nah man, bed here in Whakatoo anytime).

[Crisis management]

They do toasters...you could have hot crumpet for brekkie!!

I've searched the bloody toolkit and can't find it anywhere, I obviously lost it somewhere near Warkworth, when can I pick it up?

Huge Koha required bro.

Not a BIG bottle of Waikato!!!

Thanks mate, we must try and bump into each other soon.

Thanks for the input guys, I might even take some photos and do a ride report...good intentions anyway!

[PeteJ]

Ta.....

Another thought, as my current cunning plan puts me over the Gentle Annie in late afternoon and then up SH5 to Taupo in early evening at what time does the frost / ice appear on these roads.
I ask this as I recall being sideways at 100clicks on ice at mid morning on SH5 last winter and don't really want to repeat that experience!

Iain, I have never had a problem getting over the GA in afternoons, in about 30 years of traversing it maybe 3 times a year, and for a few years before that, once a year.

In my small experience, at this time of year, it's often easier than the Desert Road.

You can expect frost on the insides of corners where the sun don't shine at any time of the day, but that can be said for backroads all over the place.

Cheers

PJ

[Digitdion]

I Rode the Gentle annie yesterday. A great ride. They are doing lots of work on the rode. Some of you will be disgusted to find out they are gunna seal the rest of the gravel. Even with road works a great ride, even if it was snowing and cold. I had been hoping to leave all the snow and cold down south. Low and behold up in Gisborne now and the weather is gunna shit itself.