Ride ON
My turn to suggest a long ride, and get some Aucklander’s seeing more country south of the bombays, as well as getting to meet more people! I am firstly just interested whether anyone is keen to do this and if so will specify a date later. I am aware the distance to be covered on the first day (a Saturday still to be determined) is rather long, but if we leave early enough and keep moving we should be able to do it!
All riders from Auckland (and surrounding areas), Waikato and Taranaki are welcome to join in if you like the sound of it!
Please note: this is not a ride for learners, as the distances covered are considerable so cannot afford time spent waiting at each turn or stop, and all riders will need to have open and country road riding experience.
Proposed ride:
Starting from Papakura BP/autobarn, meeting at 7:45am for briefing and leaving 8am saturday, the ride will head south to Ngaruwahia. Then continue through the back cut (SH 39) to Otorohonga and Te Kuiti.
This is where I suggest any Taranaki riders meet us, my parents will probably be coming up over Mount Messenger and through the gorge to meet us there.
After refueling we will head south-east towards Bennydale but turning onto Kopaki Rd and out to the Taumaranui highway. We can again refuel at Taumaranui. From there, there are no fuel stops for 150 km through the Forgotten Highway, but great scenery of eastern Taranaki hill country. Plan to stop for a drink in the republic at the Whangamomona Pub. Then continue through to Stratford. There are four saddles between Taumaranui and Stratford, with nice valley riding and alongside rivers.
Please be aware that this road does have the ability to surprise, be aware of slips/stock/gravel/train crossings and some corners do tighten up. Do be aware there is one relatively long tunnel.
From Stratford, we will go into New Plymouth, and probably stop for lunch by that stage. Again we will refuel in NP, then head around the mountain (through Oakura, Opunake, Hawera). Then back on the main drag through to Wanganui. With another refuel at Wanganui we will head on through the Paraparas to Raetihi and Ohakune.
Depending on numbers interested, we have a house for accommodation at Ohakune. Otherwise we will have to arrange accommodation.
Then on Sunday we will head north through Taumaranui, Te Kuiti and on to Ngaruwahia. From there we will go through SH 22 to Mercer and then cut across the motorway and continue up the back roads back into Auckland.
A map will follow… just haven’t gotten around to doing it!
Update:
when: 7th March
Where: Auckland, taumaranui, new plymouth, Ohakune and back to auckland
Why: because they are some of the nicest roads in north island
Meeting Point: Papakura BP/Autobarn
Meeting Time: 6:45 for a 7am departure
Register at: http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/ca...y=2009-3-7&c=0
Map route is only a rough guideline between "major" centres:
http://maps.google.co.nz/maps?f=d&sa...,10.788574&z=7
ok... need to correct spellling of taumarunui and then click "get directions" and it will show the route
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