Vote for best NZ road

**Headbanger** · 10th June 2007, 01:20

Originally Posted by Patrick

The Paraparas is great in the dry, but watch out for the marbles on the corners (in patches and places) from the new seal at the moment...

The very worse ride I have ever had was through the Pararara during a raging storm, after a truck had driven through a few K's before us with his cap off his fuel tank, leaving a trail of diesel weaving all over the road...soaked to the skin,getting lashed by torrentioal rain and winds that blew us right across the road, visibility of 20 feet at best and eyes firmly glued to the twisting trail of diesel which couldn't be avoided.

Of course, we got through that, continued to ride through the killer storm for a few more hours, Front tire blew out coming down the hill into Te Kuiti, Got that sorted and I biffed the bike on a corner in Whatawhata.

**Skyryder** · 10th June 2007, 20:07

Desert Road at night in the summer. It's even better under a full moon.

**Sidewinder** · 10th June 2007, 20:23

coro loop is damb good. the best part of road on it would be between Waihi and Whangamata

**jrandom** · 10th June 2007, 20:39

Originally Posted by Courtesan

Desert Road at night in the summer. It's even better under a full moon.

Try doing it at night in the winter when you forgot to bring your warm gloves.

The power pylons really spoil the view, though.

**MotoGirl** · 10th June 2007, 21:23

Originally Posted by Sidewinder

coro loop is damb good. the best part of road on it would be between Waihi and Whangamata

Funny you say that - that same piece of road is my least favourite

As for my favourite road, it's short and sweet. Otherwise known as the Matamata side of the Kaimai Ranges 30mins from Tauranga. It only takes a couple of minutes from top to bottom, but it's balls out the whole way!

**Patrick** · 10th June 2007, 21:52

Originally Posted by Headbanger

The very worse ride I have ever had was through the Pararara during a raging storm, after a truck had driven through a few K's before us with his cap off his fuel tank,

Bummer... but it rates as a 5 smileys in the Motorbikers Roadmap of NZ. In the dry, I can see why... but in your case, I can see why not!! Bummer... it is a nice ride in the dry, and worth a go some time for ya.

**BarBender** · 10th June 2007, 22:17

Coro Hook (Kopu - Hikuwai - Tairua - Coro Town and then back the same way)
Opotiki to TeAraroa
Queenstown - Glenorchy
Milford

**Headbanger** · 10th June 2007, 22:42

Originally Posted by Patrick

Bummer... but it rates as a 5 smileys in the Motorbikers Roadmap of NZ. In the dry, I can see why... but in your case, I can see why not!! Bummer... it is a nice ride in the dry, and worth a go some time for ya.

I wasn't knockin it, Ive ridden it more times then I can count, Just recalling a ride that sticks out in the memory banks.

**Patrick** · 11th June 2007, 09:57

Originally Posted by Headbanger

I wasn't knockin it, Ive ridden it more times then I can count, Just recalling a ride that sticks out in the memory banks.

Heheh... we did the Awakino last winter and hit ice fog... scary shit, that! Wifey won't ride in that ever again, thought it was character building, myself... Dunno if there is such a thing as a bad ride tho

**cowboyz** · 11th June 2007, 16:55

Originally Posted by Patrick

Bummer... but it rates as a 5 smileys in the Motorbikers Roadmap of NZ. In the dry, I can see why... but in your case, I can see why not!! Bummer... it is a nice ride in the dry, and worth a go some time for ya.

Never been able to get a clear run through there. In the winter it is shit.

In the summer all the tar melts and very un nerving riding over it.

Doesnt get my vote.

**peasea** · 11th June 2007, 17:03

Originally Posted by pritch008

The Awakino is in my back yard so to speak but it is just a baby compared to the Waioeka Gorge on the East Coast.

The best ride in the country is the West Coast Highway and that poll just has bits of it: Haast Pass, and Queenstown to Wanaka. The whole thing is brilliant. The only boring bits I saw were either side of Greymouth.

For those who haven't seen it:

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...ad.php?t=47535

I haven't been up to Karamea but I'm told that's a nice ride and I might look at that next summer. Similar terrain to Mount Messenger?

I tried the Akatarawa Road a few months back but I needed another gear between first and second. It'd be OK on a dirt bike.

Most people are just going to vote for the bit they know: the Coro Loop, The Awakino Gorge, The Paekak Hill, the Takaka Hill, The Akaroa Road(s), and the Catlins are all nice. They can, however, only ever be second rate.

If you haven't done the West Coast Highway you are missing something special.

I added Westport to Haast on that poll, it's got to be one of the best in NZ and while I admit I haven't seen every road there is in NZ, I've covered a fair few. There are heaps of good suggestions here though...

**peasea** · 11th June 2007, 17:07

Originally Posted by Headbanger

The very worse ride I have ever had was through the Pararara during a raging storm, after a truck had driven through a few K's before us with his cap off his fuel tank, leaving a trail of diesel weaving all over the road...soaked to the skin,getting lashed by torrentioal rain and winds that blew us right across the road, visibility of 20 feet at best and eyes firmly glued to the twisting trail of diesel which couldn't be avoided.

Of course, we got through that, continued to ride through the killer storm for a few more hours, Front tire blew out coming down the hill into Te Kuiti, Got that sorted and I biffed the bike on a corner in Whatawhata.

I couldn't tell you how many times I've gone over that road, good weather and bad. Never a storm though. It's a nifty bit of tar seal but needs respect. No doubt you know it well?

**peasea** · 11th June 2007, 17:11

Originally Posted by renegade master

damn straight, Man the helicopters are trying to evesdrop on my brainwaves, little do they know i have a tinfoil anti wave hat! they cant hear a thing!

You need to get Agents 86 and 99 to build you a 'cone of silence', you can think/say what you like then and no big brother can hear it.

Nor can anyone else, brilliant!