Adventure ho!!

[Ixion]

OK. Thinking about a route here.

No point sticking to the main roads on bikes like these. back roads , the speed will be lower anyway, and there's little traffic

SO :

Usual way up Old North
Ararimu valley rd
Forestry Rd
Kahikatea Flats Rd
Waitoki (gas ?)
(OR: Straight up SH17 to Kahikatea Flats Rd)
Waitoki Rd
Haruru Rd
Makarau
Burnside Rd
Wech Access Rd
Komokoriki
West Coast Rd
Woodcocks
Old Woodcocks Rd
Kaipara Flats
Hoteo
Tauhoa
SH16 to Wellsford (can't avoid a bit of main rd. All good roads and easy so far)

Worker Rd,, Wellsford Valley Rd to
Te Hana
SH 1 to Brynderwyn (sorry, don't knwo a way to avoid this bit without a major detour but is 80kph limit through Dome Valley)
Onto SH10. Worst of trafficed bits is over by now.
Paparoa
Paparoa-Oakleigh Rd
Mareretu
Moewhare
Hayward Rd
Maungakaramea Rd
Old School Rd
Snooks Rd
Wheki valley
Waiotama
Tangiteroria
Kirikopuni

(Could also get here the other way up , stick to SH12 all the way through Raupo, Bradleys Landing etc. It's not such good road though. Then to Sh14There may be good back roads between Sh12 and Sh14, I don't know that area, maybe someone can comment )

Then the classic route on Kirikopuni Valley Rd to
Parakao
Mangkahia Rd
Pakotai
Twin Bridges
Awarua
Tautaro
Kaikohe


Shouldn't be too much traffic along that route

Then back to Pakaraka
And a long long leg up Sh10 all the way through to
Mangonui and
Awanui

Traffic's not too bad that far North (they're insane , though), so could just stick to SH1 to Awanui.

Then just the long simple leg up the peninsula to the Cape.

And back.

Only thing I'm not sure about is petrol, north of Brynderwyn. Some of those places aren't that big.


Comments? Alternatives? Anyone know where there is petrol?

I know most of those roads, they're pretty good, nothing difficult. Few bits I haven't travelled in a good many years though so if someone knows them better and they've packed up, please say.

I suppose most of them are sealed nowdays, buggers are always doing that. Still be a good run though.

[Badger8]

OK. Thinking about a route here.

No point sticking to the main roads on bikes like these. back roads , the speed will be lower anyway, and there's little traffic

SO :

...Clipped...

Sheesh! i was just havin a squiz at the map m'self, but not as good as that!
Petrol would be my main concern. I'll most likely have a 10L jerrycan strapped to me plus my tank incase me or a fellow steed needs it to limp to the next station. Most little townships that are only a few k's from the main drag wont have a station of their on. might pay to tuck back across to main townships from time to time, just my $0.02

the now 80k zone through dome valley could definitely work to our advantage, thought a lot of people just ignore it.
Do you know perchance how much mileage all these back roads will add? Was looking at the k's before, and even just via the main roads we're lookin at a fair haul for the small wheels.
Also, not sure all the bikes involved will be too at home on the gravel, but i guess it's all part of the adventure eh?

[Big Dog]

I don't know about anyone else but I will need to fill every 160 - 180 kms depending on terrain that could be every hundred given the three litre massive tank.
I plan to have a 5L petrol can with me.

[Ixion]

Well, GN250 is sweet on gravel. Most of the contenders would be. After all, back when they were new they HAD to be, the bastards hadn't sneaked out and sealed everything .

Dunno how much extra distance it adds, probably not that much , some of the route is more direct tha n the main roiads, sort of cuts straight uop the middle of the island.

Petrol's my worry, especially if it's a weekend.

[Big Dog]

Sheesh! i was just havin a squiz at the map m'self, but not as good as that!
Petrol would be my main concern. I'll most likely have a 10L jerrycan strapped to me plus my tank incase me or a fellow steed needs it to limp to the next station. Most little townships that are only a few k's from the main drag wont have a station of their on. might pay to tuck back across to main townships from time to time, just my $0.02

the now 80k zone through dome valley could definitely work to our advantage, thought a lot of people just ignore it.
Do you know perchance how much mileage all these back roads will add? Was looking at the k's before, and even just via the main roads we're lookin at a fair haul for the small wheels.
Also, not sure all the bikes involved will be too at home on the gravel, but i guess it's all part of the adventure eh?

Based on my experience yesterday:
300 kms on the scooter is painful but not a big stretch.

Ergo I have about 4 months to get flexible enough to sit there for around 450 kms per day. No biggie.

[Ixion]

If there were enough riders you could split the group, some up the back roads , others on main road to avoid the gravel. Depends whether they fear gravel more than the traffic on the main roads.

But I think the last 20 or 30 kilometres to the Cape is still gravel, and no way round that.

Petrol is definately the problem. Especially the leg up the peninsula. There used to be a general store and petrol pump half way up (Houhora ? I think) . But I suppose that's gone now, another of the things some bastard has buggered off with in the last 30 years. The list is growing longer very day.

Is there any petrol north of Kaikohe ?

[Nagash]

Looks like a fairly good route to me,

For petrol, i'd also strap on a petrol can, 10L or so that could help others and myself.

I reckon it's a good idea to make it clear and bloody bovious that before putting your name up you should realise that this isn't an endorsed ride, it won't be safe and there is a chance some people are just not gonna make it, run outta petrol in the middle of god knows where.. whatever. Other than that, i reckon everyone still keen to go would be mental enough to do it whatever the weather.

Seeing as i'll be draggin' out a very old (early 80's to my memory) scooter, my max speed's about 50-60k's.. so hopefully I won't get left in the dust.

N' yeah, High-Vis vests will be nice, I'll be using an open-face helmet to show how fearless I am..

Really it's gonna be a piss around, and i'll be surprised if we actually end up going all the way and not just turning around after the first night stop over. Shall be interesting to see, just don't get too finicky about it!

[Badger8]

Well, GN250 is sweet on gravel. Most of the contenders would be. After all, back when they were new they HAD to be, the bastards hadn't sneaked out and sealed everything .

Dunno how much extra distance it adds, probably not that much , some of the route is more direct tha n the main roiads, sort of cuts straight uop the middle of the island.

Petrol's my worry, especially if it's a weekend.

Not worried for m'self, just not sure how well those 4" wheels on scooters will handle gravel

Actually just had a good look at your proposed route, looks pretty bloody spot on! and yes, distance wise will be shorter than the main drag, and definitely less traffic (and more opportunity for them to get past us all)

[Badger8]

Really it's gonna be a piss around, and i'll be surprised if we actually end up going all the way and not just turning around after the first night stop over. Shall be interesting to see, just don't get too finicky about it!

NO PIKERS!!!

No way i'm quittin without MAJOR troubles. what's an adventure if you give up halfway through?

[Nagash]

Not worried for m'self, just not sure how well those 4" wheels on scooters will handle gravel

I reckon the wee scooter wheels will do pretty will, I haven't tried rolling on gravel just yet but the lower centre of gravity will keep you upright I reckon.

[Badger8]

Petrol is definately the problem. Especially the leg up the peninsula. There used to be a general store and petrol pump half way up (Houhora ? I think) . But I suppose that's gone now, another of the things some bastard has buggered off with in the last 30 years. The list is growing longer very day.

Is there any petrol north of Kaikohe ?

I'm pretty sure there's gas north of Kaikohe, i'm pretty sure me and the old man filled up the boat at Houhora back in the day. Will check with the olds, they should know.

EDIT: There's surely gas at kaitaia too

[fireball]

well there is no way i am quitting, i dont start organizing something then pike once the rain comes what kind of southern girl would that make me?!
so ideas on who to hit up for sponsorship?

[Badger8]

I reckon the wee scooter wheels will do pretty will, I haven't tried rolling on gravel just yet but the lower centre of gravity will keep you upright I reckon.

Pile her high with gear and say that again

[Big Dog]

Whatever the prizes ride shirts etc are you will not be entitled to them if you turn back before the cape, short of a family emergency or complete breakdown.

[fireball]

For what its worth re gravel, a group of mates just did (ok a few months ago) whakatane up to waikarimuana (sp) in the wet on scooters. For those who dont know that is 100kms each way fo tight winding gravel road...

can you harden the fuck up?

excuse the language but come on... ADVENTURE look it up.....
this is going to be hard on every part of your mind and body, i would still do it with my hand back in a cast (looks probable) with a smile on my face.

its all i talk about at work to my customers and already getting offers of support and sponsorship.