Whangamomona Road

**Chrissie** · 23rd October 2006, 18:31

Me and Jeff were thinking of going up through the road from Stratford to Taumaranui over Xmas. I see there is an unsealed bit in the middle. Before I bravely agree to ride through there, does anyone know what this road is like, especially the unsealed bit? I will be taking my Bros (as usual).

I don't mind unsealed road, but don't like riding over that really chunky metal stuff.

**trumpy** · 23rd October 2006, 18:37

PM Nadroj, he knows this road well and should be able to give you up to date info.

**Motu** · 23rd October 2006, 19:58

Depends on what sort of maintenance they do on the road.I've been through there when there was practically no metal on the road,just smooth clay....other times they have remetaled and even with a 21in front wheel it was hard work.

**Sensei** · 23rd October 2006, 20:08

Not as well as I know it . The unsealed is as a rule hard pack gravel with light chip along it > if wet it would be abit shitty but dry not to much to worry a confident rider. Drop me or Kev / Nadroj as PM to see condition or we could come along for a blast with ya

**DemonWolf** · 23rd October 2006, 20:11

Last time I rode it last summer, there were patches that were clay as Motu mentions, but hard packed.. also patches with generious amounts of metal. Rode through with the TL but in a respectable 2nd gear. Other than a few slight moments on the metal it was a very good ride .. Just take your time and be careful

**Hitcher** · 24th October 2006, 17:17

Every time I've been through there it has been as Sensei described it. It can get a bit cobbled in places. Just take it quietly and you should be OK. Make sure you top up your gas in Stratford (or Taumarunui) before setting sail, as it over 150km between pumps.

**Chrissie** · 24th October 2006, 20:34

Thanks guys, it sounds like as long as it isn't pi... ing down it should be fine.

Just thought I would check. Someone should ask Jeff about taking me down Underhill Road from Featherston to Greytown. He decided we could ride through there except the map he was looking at was about 20 years out of date and it looks like there was a road there once. It's really rough at the end and when we got to the big concrete blocks I turned round and told him to shove Underhill Road.

**anoeldcx** · 18th November 2006, 22:53

Just a quick note on the Whangamomona Rd, I did it years ago and it certainly was worth it -scenery etc., but I remember a tunnel on part of the unsealed stretch that you may need to be prepared for. I rode in expecting it to be the same surface as the rest of the road and discovered pretty quickly that it wasn't! It was badly rutted and because it takes a couple of seconds for your eyes to adjust it caught me out. Fortunately I stayed upright, but if I had ridden in at a slight angle I may have ended up on my arse. Enjoy!

**Skunk** · 18th November 2006, 23:39

It looked like this in May of 2005:

http://www.skunkworks.net.nz/gallery/N2S-pics?page=5

Here's one:

**Lee Rusty** · 19th November 2006, 01:11

it is pretty easy to ride
taken everything thro there from a GB 400 to aYam Venture Tourer
(my sister lives in Te hora - no probs - the tunnel has had floor fixed up after a couple of complaints from bikers who live local -

The head roading guy from Stratfors is a biker ad he keeps an eye on it and takes complaints seriously

if going thru call in Kaioto Cafe at top of hill after tunnel it belongs to a couple of our Rusty Nuts club people and bikers are always welcome

**Hitcher** · 19th November 2006, 14:50

Originally Posted by Skunk

It looked like this in May of 2005

Great photos! I'm all homesick now...

**V Twin Raver** · 19th November 2006, 17:14

Hi, I went over it in a cage just over a week ago. it has just been re-metaled and I think by Christmas the surface will be fine - only 12km long. As said previously, word has it that it gets pretty hard packed almost like a sealed road when no harsh weather conditions have been through there so summer should be all good.