Wellington - East Cape May road trip

[Eric]

Hi guys

Am after some feedback on current road conditions in the East Cape region.

Couple of mates and I are doing the East Cape in first weekend in May.
Plan is to travel from Wellington to Rotorua on Friday 4th. Stay the night in Rotorua where we pick up another rider. This rider has done this trip just over a year ago.
Saturday departure from Rotorua to Gisborne ( Opotiki - Te Kaha - Hicks Bay - Ruatoria - Tokomaru Bay - Tolaga Bay - Gisborne)
Sunday - Gisborne where we do a recommended inland trip to Tiniroto - Te Reinga - Wairoa.....then home to Wellington.

I know this is a big trip. Anyone done the Opotki -Gisborne recently or going to closer to the date who can give me an update on road conditions, roadworks. Hate riding an gravel for long stretches on my SV.

Feedback greatly appreciated.

Eric

[yungatart]

Ask Mcjim - he did it in a cage last week!

[Kendog]

Went round at Christmas, there were about 19 sections of gravel between Hicks Bay and Tolaga, but all fairly short. Looked the same as when I went round last Easter so obviously not in a great hurry to be fixed.

Bit of a write up of the trip in Easter here if you are interested.

The trip around the cape is fantastic, I have no doubt you will love it. But I have to say Gisborne to Opotiki via the Waioeke Gorge was a road I enjoyed more.

[jahmin]

A friend and I did this road over Easter (this year) and it was fantastic. As Kendog says there are a few gravel sections, but they're easily rideable and very short. I actually quite enjoyed them - just remember to slow down when you see the 30kph signs and you'll be right...

Also its worth noting that fuel stops are few and far between - ended up stopping in Te Araroa for fuel and they only had 91 (and diesel...).

Excellent road though, and tonnes of fun - you'll love it.

[Shadows]

Short gravel patches what seemed like every three bloody minutes in places. There were heaps of washouts in a storm some time ago and no money has been allotted to repair them (blame Auckland), so they've just been maintaining the gravel patches as best as they can. All are signposted. Apart from that, awesome, just look out for cows on the road. There's a number you can ring if you hit one though

[Eric]

Thanks guys.

Nice write up there Kendog. Maybe contacting the AA before I go might shed some light on dodgey areas.

I will do a search on Mcjim.

cheers Eric

[Zukin]

Nothing dodgy on that road (other than the typical roadworks)
We did it in Feb, and there was plenty of road bikes on the road
if the weather is good you will be fine

Cheers Scott

[dogsnbikes]

Hi guys

Am after some feedback on current road conditions in the East Cape region.

Couple of mates and I are doing the East Cape in first weekend in May.
Plan is to travel from Wellington to Rotorua on Friday 4th. Stay the night in Rotorua where we pick up another rider. This rider has done this trip just over a year ago.
Saturday departure from Rotorua to Gisborne ( Opotiki - Te Kaha - Hicks Bay - Ruatoria - Tokomaru Bay - Tolaga Bay - Gisborne)
Sunday - Gisborne where we do a recommended inland trip to Tiniroto - Te Reinga - Wairoa.....then home to Wellington.

I know this is a big trip. Anyone done the Opotki -Gisborne recently or going to closer to the date who can give me an update on road conditions, roadworks. Hate riding an gravel for long stretches on my SV.

Feedback greatly appreciated.

Eric

Sounds a great ride you will have

I will get intouch with the lads in gisborne who do that road alot and my Cuzzy he's a roading manger in that area so will post the latest update for you as soon as I get it

[Eric]

dogsnbikes. I'd appeciate that.

This is going to be my first big trip, since I got back on the bike in December last year. Doing regular daytrips to the Wairarapa and beyond. Sometimes with my older (13) boy who loves it so much I get asked all the time.

It took well over 25 years to get back on it again. And am loving it

This site truely amazes me. Thanks for your suggestions guys.

Eric

[dogsnbikes]

dogsnbikes. I'd appeciate that.

This is going to be my first big trip, since I got back on the bike in December last year. Doing regular daytrips to the Wairarapa and beyond. Sometimes with my older (13) boy who loves it so much I get asked all the time.

It took well over 25 years to get back on it again. And am loving it

This site truely amazes me. Thanks for your suggestions guys.

Eric

Well the word is in My cousin says ...There is a couple of sections of road works going on at the moment but not major and still should provide a great ride...as the rest of the road is in good condition ......hope this helps

Since your heading to Rotorua could be worth cheaking out the Waikite Valley hot pools

Enjoy your trip look forward to the report at the eand of it

[McJim]

Hi there,

Was out that way recently on business. Opotiki to Gisborne is okay - couple of roadworks in the gorge - seems to be road widening and not totally covered in loose material.

Gisborne to Napier had me spitting coz I was in a XR6 - wish I had been on a bike for some of those twisties!

Worst stretch was Napier - Taupo. Roadworks every few minutes - lots of loose material. Bleah, yuk.

I basically did SH2 from Bombay - Tauranga - Whakatane -Opotiki - Gisborne - Wairoa - Napier - Hastings. Then back through Napier - Taupo - Cambridge - Taupiri - Auckland.