Gentle Annie's road?

[MSTRS:Me]

Actually, it's always been a case of watch out for idiots. But it was also a case of often seeing no-one on the entire road (gravel puts off most). Once the seal is complete, expect a massive increase in users.

[ynot slow]

Much like Whangamomona raod,look for dust clouds of impending budding rally driver or truck.

[MSTRS:Me]

OK, Just rode through there yesterday...
Hastings side has 9kms of gravel, some of which is 'ready for seal', some is being worked on and some not yet started.
Taihape side has just under 4kms of gravel, split into 3 sections. 2 are short and in good order (ready for seal) but the longest is quite nasty, at least on a sprotbike 2-up. It is being prepared but is base course atm.

[mazz1972]

Seal with the demise of the gravel in the middle, I'd be more worried about the numbnuts car driver and camper van brigade that will choose to use rather than go around.

There's been nothing stopping them anyway, the gravel sections are usually well swept hard packed surface and a breeze for cars & campervans - except for when it's badly corrugated. We kept meeting up with a car towing a caravan and they went all the way through.

We went through there on Sunday 9th and the gravel was fine with bugger all corrugation in the gravel sections. I'm a gravel nana and slower than a wet week on the stuff and I managed fine on my cruiser. There was a patch of chunky base course which was slightly more challenging for me but it was well packed down so fine.

I don't have any photos of the gravel parts to share - didn't dare stop on the gravel to take any!

[MSTRS:Me]

There's been nothing stopping them anyway, the gravel sections are usually well swept hard packed surface and a breeze for cars & campervans - except for when it's badly corrugated.

You are correct. What you maybe don't realise is just how many people avoid driving on gravel. Mind you, a huge portion of them even avoid roads like the ParaParas...because they consider them goat tracks. There is hope - perhaps.

[FJRider]

You are correct. What you maybe don't realise is just how many people avoid driving on gravel. Mind you, a huge portion of them even avoid roads like the ParaParas...because they consider them goat tracks. There is hope - perhaps.

There are some that prefer four lane highways ... each to their own ...

Just means less traffic non the Para Para's for us ...

[mazz1972]

You are correct. What you maybe don't realise is just how many people avoid driving on gravel. Mind you, a huge portion of them even avoid roads like the ParaParas...because they consider them goat tracks. There is hope - perhaps.

I reckon it's more about people avoiding driving on windy roads. People often want to take the quickest (or most direct) route and unless you live in Taihape/Hunterville area and want to go to Napier/Hastings area or vice-versa, the GE does not make a short cut. Hopefully it's location will keep all but locals and sightseers away, as it's an awesome road.

[MD]

Update - about 8 kms remains unsealed.

I rode the Napier to Taihape highway today. Only one in our group of 5 had ever been on that road before.

The good news for road riders is it's down to about 8km of gravel, well today it was mud and clay because we got rained on most of the HB side. Brilliant sunny day once we got about 30 km shy of Taihape. The gravel starts eastward from a narrow one lane bridge with a beaut view over a river, if that means anything to anyone.

Bad news is that all the newly sealed sections have not been swept and were covered in small pebbles/grit. On the bends the loose stones have built up in places and catch you out. Drizzle and misty visors didn't help spot the patches either.

BUT. The really good news for sprotsbike types. Give it a year for the seal completion and for the loose chips to clear off and this will be the pride of road bike trips in the North Island. We were all surprised at what a quick shortcut from one side of the island to the other it is. The older sealed sections were great fun.

[Smifffy]

Some mates did it a few weeks back, and came back via the Napier-Taupo. They said the road works along the Napier-Taupo were much worse than the gravel on the Annie.

[Bonez]

Well, there goes another good road down the toilet. Not far from the bridge on the Napier side is quite a large camping area. Would make a great venue for a KB get together. No EFPOS though, well not much of anything really apart from the loos. Cracker veiw of the river.

[banditrider]

Rode it last weekend and it was fabulous (only my 2nd time through there)! Fantastic views and a magic road. The gravel was in good nick and no issue whatsoever. Yes, there is a lot of new seal and a lack of signage but I wouldn't let that put you off riding it.

I'd say it rivals the Forgotten Highway as one of the best North Island rides.

[Gremlin]

Righty-o... must do this road when I get me beemer back...

[Elysium]

Rode it last weekend and it was fabulous (only my 2nd time through there)! Fantastic views and a magic road. The gravel was in good nick and no issue whatsoever. Yes, there is a lot of new seal and a lack of signage but I wouldn't let that put you off riding it.

I'd say it rivals the Forgotten Highway as one of the best North Island rides.

Many Four Wheel drive hoons on the road this time?

[banditrider]

Many Four Wheel drive hoons on the road this time?

Just one on the gravel, but then this guy on a bike going the other way...

[Hawkeye]

Update - about 8 kms remains unsealed.

I rode the Napier to Taihape highway today. Only one in our group of 5 had ever been on that road before.

The good news for road riders is it's down to about 8km of gravel, well today it was mud and clay because we got rained on most of the HB side. Brilliant sunny day once we got about 30 km shy of Taihape. The gravel starts eastward from a narrow one lane bridge with a beaut view over a river, if that means anything to anyone.

Bad news is that all the newly sealed sections have not been swept and were covered in small pebbles/grit. On the bends the loose stones have built up in places and catch you out. Drizzle and misty visors didn't help spot the patches either.

BUT. The really good news for sprotsbike types. Give it a year for the seal completion and for the loose chips to clear off and this will be the pride of road bike trips in the North Island. We were all surprised at what a quick shortcut from one side of the island to the other it is. The older sealed sections were great fun.

Just a short tiki tour yesterday MD or part of a longer trip?