Hey central north islanders.. I'm heading down to Taupo to hang out for a long weekend with my kids and grandkids. I may have some exploring time (aka need some peace and quiet) but a quick look on the gravel roads map doesnt show much. A bit around the backside of the hydro dams and up to Waikete Valley. Anyone got any suggestions or recommendations for nice rides around there that i wont have done on the normal "passing through" trips?? Doesnt have to be gravel. Ill be on the vstrom. Cheers in advance.
Spent a few hours riding around Pureora forest once. There's easy gravel and trails right through the area from memory. Here's a link but if you google it you'll probably find loads more info. https://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-r...ra-forest-park/things-to-do/select-loop-road/
waikite valley and surrounds. some great riding in there between the 2 highways and you wont get round it all in a day.
Thanks guys. Only there a couple of days so will need to be selective. Just fuelled up in Tuakau. Also need to get some gas. Going to head down through sh22 then Te Awamutu then Mangakino and then SH32 and back road to Taupo. I dont think I've ever been on that one or if I have I've forgotten it. A bit windy but otherwise very nice on the bike.
Theres another obligatory stop in these parts.... After a swift ogle at the memorabila in the window...none of which I would swap my strom for..I proceed as directed... People seem to obsess about what bike is best for adv rides. So many bike threads. There are far bigger decisions to be made!!! Cream doughnut it was. 8/10. Coffee Ive had better but it went down very well. Thanks for the recommendation.
As for the best pies in NZ, well you'll have to come to my place...Eutopatisserie Torbay. https://www.georgefm.co.nz/home/cul...al--this-is-where-to-find-nz-s-best-pies.html Run by the nicest people you will ever meet.
Hey Oldbeer, the Atiamuri/Ngakuru/Waikite GP corse is my home ground. I live within 15-40 minutes away. I am a little familiar with some of it too. If you would like some company/local knowledge for a stint, well, I would be happy to meet you and even share my back yard with you. I’m ‘out to pasture ‘ so any time, any day works. 021998510.
I found the secret billabong only known to the inner sanctum of adv riders but unfortunately one of NZs most deadly predators....anklebiterus vociferii...had beaten me there.
I didnt stop to take any pics of the ride yesterday cos well, just normal roads but i really like the bit from Kihikihi through Arapuni Road and then Waipapa down to Mangakino. Only a few cars great views sunshine, spring colours and everything bursting into life. In some places the smell of the bush was glorious.
A few pics from yesterday and todays circumnavigation of Pureora. 5degsC this morning so the heated grips got a work out
Just got home from the Labour weekend trip north. Everything was excellent except my stamina as i wimped out on the way back and came down the seal. Mind you Paparoa Oakleigh was empty and as much fun as ever. Thanks to @enduro0627 for the initial plan and to everyone else for making it a great weekend. Nice to see a couple of new faces in the group at the start of the rides anyway, didnt see much of them after that :) I started Friday and had a break at Twin Bridges. Nice spot to get out of the wind for a bit. Met up with @Kiwigber at the Treehouse in Kohukohu. Highly recommended. We went looking for adventure on the Saturday while the wage-slaves rode up from Auckland. Ended up at Ahipara. Cruisey day for us two and dinner with the team at Kai 2 go in bustling downtown Kohukohu. It was bustling cos every Labour Weekend heaps of exiled Kohukohuans come back for a big party, a rugby match and a netball match. Band at the pub on Sunday night. Sunday was the main event and our local tour guide led us into and around the innermost bits of the far northern hinterland. Someone had a swim. A spectacular lunch at our gracious tour guide's place Then more gravel on the way back to Kohukohu.