alfalfa Posted July 27, 2023 Posted July 27, 2023 King Country Crusade November 17-19th 2023 J5 is up the duff and Eastcape is off the cards this year. Don’t worry though, @anglia4 and @alfalfa have rubbed each of our braincells together and came up with 600km of twisty backroads, tall and narrow tunnels, smooth and rough gravel, and scenic views spread over 3 days taking in some of the best the West has to offer. Rev up your fizzholes and start prepping those bikes for the King Country Crusade (AKA West-Pest AKA Westcapade AKA Taranaki Tunnel Tour). November 17-19th 2023. If any of you jokers happen to turn up in New Plymouth on the same day and start riding along the same route then wow wouldn’t that be a happy little coincidence. Day 1 180km/220km (depending on route) We head inland from New Plymouth to Taumaranui via the Bertrand road swing bridge (oldest in NZ!), through a few choice tunnels to Whangamomona & Forgotten World Highway. Some gravel, mostly sealed. The famous Forgotten World Highway, a must ride for every self respecting motorcyclist in NZ. Lunch stop at the classic Whanga Hotel for hot chips and a lemonade. There is an option to go via Old Whanga road if conditions allow - this is 18km of unmaintained dirt road challenge! Petrol NP (0km), Taumaranui (180km/220km). This is a big stretch between fuel so you will likely need to carry extra. It might be a good idea to figure out what kind of range your bike gets and plan for how much extra you’ll need. If you can make this leg easily then ask yourself - am I really riding an appropriately terrible bike for this kind of adventure? https://maps.app.goo.gl/xHZrKrMuJRRwFZfu9 Old Whanga Road - Extra for hardcones Part 1 https://goo.gl/maps/BUH3qGTUpXz1H7rQ6 Part 2 https://goo.gl/maps/XR8LUMGDvmnAfiFm8 Whether we attempt this or not will be very weather & pre-ride reccy dependent. The clay/papa rock surface supposedly turns slipperier than eel snot after any rain. It's also only halfway through day 1 so we don't want to have half the pack drop out before lunch! Stay: Taumarunui We’re staying at the Alexander motel but lots of other options exist in town. Twin Rivers Motel is just over the road. There is also the Taumarunui holiday park which is 3km down the road for campers. Or take your pick of abandoned house in town and mancamp in the backyard. The RSA is just round the corner for a refreshing post ride beverage and there are a selection of ethnic eateries nearby to satisfy even the most discerning palate. Day 2 190km Taumaranui to Awakino via Ongarue, Aria, Piopio, Pomarangai, Waikawau Beach Tunnel. The roads today will be a good mix of gravel and sealed. There is a scenic detour along the way to visit a rugged west coast beach accessed via (another) tunnel. Lunch stop at Piopio. Petrol Taumaranui (0km), Piopio (85km), Awakino (190km) I've had to split the route into 2 halves to get google maps to play nicely with following the route. Part 1 Taumaranui - PioPio https://maps.app.goo.gl/gJE2dKd4EhQeVTeW7 Part 2 PipPio - Awakino Hotel https://maps.app.goo.gl/ZY83ypAUv3Q7NGn57 Stay: Awakino/Mokau We’re staying at the Awakino Hotel and Pub. 06 752 9815. There aren’t that many rooms here so get in early. The dude here also reckons he can sort out other accommodation in town if needed so holler at him if the pub is full. Tent-pitchers or cabineeros can stay at the Seaview holiday park (06 752 9708) 3km down the road or at the Whitebait Inn 06 752 9713 in Mokau 5km down the road. Day 3 200km ish Awakino to NP via Mahoenui, Ohura, Ahititi, Urenui. Lots of gravel, lots of corners, sweet tunnels and ride back across the oldest traffic suspension bridge in NZ. We're deep in the wilderness pretty much all day so bring mi goreng and a stove for a hot roadside lunch or stuff ya pockets full of muesli bars and last nights leftover burger and chips. The Ohura Cosmopolitan Club will be opening up their kitchen for burgers & fish'n'chips for us on Sunday from 11:30am! Petrol Awakino (0km), Urenui (185km), NP (205km) Another big stretch between fuel stops so you will likely need to carry extra again. https://maps.app.goo.gl/NfEvUgDpyMo2TW1AA We’ll probably have post ride beers/BBQ/bonfire somewhere in NP? Details to come for where to assemble on Friday morning and leave vehicles and trailers behind. We don’t have a support vehicle and trailer sorted yet so if anyone is keen to volunteer that would be two thumbs up. *There is a trailer just waiting for some champ to hook up and drag along. We have 2 support vehicles and trailer confirmed! Entry Form: https://forms.gle/Ertmwgaqdu6jJFep6 Please make sure you have accommodation sorted for Saturday night in Awakino/Mokau before submitting the form - this is limited and will probably restrict numbers unless you’re going to be a happy camper. Entrants: @anglia4 @alfalfa @Itchybear Bucket Barry @Duke Blackwood @WankBankA100 Dan W @northernal Chris R (Tofa) Alan H-R (Ginga) @Gyrocket @morkster (support) Greg H (gregbop) Connor D Travis K (trav) Richard S Matt N Shaun M Paul M Brian S (Support) Dallas W Karl D @iwanttobeamole @TheGriz Brett H Chris K Darren P Zac B Neil S Jose R Ian D Luke B DNS. Nathan M (Gazza) Quote
alfalfa Posted July 27, 2023 Author Posted July 27, 2023 Here's a 10/10 ADV Barry riding a bunch of the same roads and tunnels we'll be on Quote
anglia4 Posted July 27, 2023 Posted July 27, 2023 Excellent work Jess! This is gonna be epic. We can provide a trailer if someone has the means to tow it. Quote
Beaver Posted July 28, 2023 Posted July 28, 2023 Holy heck this looks good. Need to check the calendar on the back of the shitter door. Quote
64valiant Posted July 28, 2023 Posted July 28, 2023 bummer, i get back from japan the day after. looks like ill have to wait till next year Quote
iwanttobeamole Posted July 29, 2023 Posted July 29, 2023 Looks coooooooooool! Sign me up! I'll probably tow trailer over from Hawkes Bay if anyone on this side of the hill or in between needs a lift, I've got space. Quote
fuel Posted July 29, 2023 Posted July 29, 2023 damn this seems like such a sweet trip, wish I would be around in Taumarunui to catch up. If anyone needs tools or a garage to work on shit while in Taumarunui let me know am sure I can arrange something. Quote
alfalfa Posted July 30, 2023 Author Posted July 30, 2023 Bike choice: We're trying to keep this ride in the spirit of previous Eastcapescapades, so bring your small, old, shitty, modified motorbikes and scooters along. 50cc scoots should be sweet if you're comfortable enough on gravel. We've set the route so there is minimal fast highway riding and maximal slow backroads. If you can manage a cruise at 60-70kph you'll be right in the middle of the bunch. If all you have is a DRZ400 then noone is gonna say no but it could be pretty boring when (hopefully!) everyone else is nangin' hard, throttle pinned trying to do 60kph up a hill. Buy or borrow something small and shit and send it! Quote
tortron Posted August 1, 2023 Posted August 1, 2023 Is anyone driving / trailering from Auckland? Quote
alfalfa Posted August 1, 2023 Author Posted August 1, 2023 On 29/07/2023 at 13:13, iwanttobeamole said: Looks coooooooooool! Sign me up! I'll probably tow trailer over from Hawkes Bay if anyone on this side of the hill or in between needs a lift, I've got space. 17 hours ago, WankBankA100 said: I'm in! Sign me up Scotty. On 28/07/2023 at 13:50, Beaver said: Holy heck this looks good. Need to check the calendar on the back of the shitter door. Cheer boes get that accommodation booked and fill the entry form in! Quote
Beaver Posted August 1, 2023 Posted August 1, 2023 As an aside, other than the extra for experts whangamomona track, is the rest drivable? Quote
alfalfa Posted August 1, 2023 Author Posted August 1, 2023 30 minutes ago, Beaver said: As an aside, other than the extra for experts whangamomona track, is the rest drivable? Lots of narrow gravel bits but yep all standard open public roads. Quote
anglia4 Posted August 1, 2023 Posted August 1, 2023 We will get in a reccy drive before hand, but most of the roads are known, if not by me, then by @Itchybear, so yeah should be sweet. Its been a few years since I did the old Whanga road, so we will check that out too and see: a) how long it takes and b) Can it be done on a YB125 It might be that it just adds too much to the day, especially where there is no fuel. But we will check it out, cos it would be fucking ace. Quote
Itchybear Posted August 2, 2023 Posted August 2, 2023 23 hours ago, anglia4 said: We will get in a reccy drive before hand, but most of the roads are known, if not by me, then by @Itchybear, so yeah should be sweet. Its been a few years since I did the old Whanga road, so we will check that out too and see: a) how long it takes and b) Can it be done on a YB125 It might be that it just adds too much to the day, especially where there is no fuel. But we will check it out, cos it would be fucking ace. I did find a 4 wheel drive video of it from 3 months ago and I’m still standing by my initial comment of its not possible. but the rest of it should be sweeeet. Quote
Duke Blackwood Posted August 3, 2023 Posted August 3, 2023 Thanks for organising this you guys, it’s gonna be awesome, form completed - I’ll be there Quote
WankBankA100 Posted August 3, 2023 Posted August 3, 2023 On 02/08/2023 at 09:31, alfalfa said: Cheer boes get that accommodation booked and fill the entry form in! Pays to read and follow instructions. Form filled out with max enthusiasm. Quote
WankBankA100 Posted August 3, 2023 Posted August 3, 2023 3 minutes ago, Duke Blackwood said: Thanks for organising this you guys, it’s gonna be awesome, form completed - I’ll be there Reading this melts my heart. Quote
WankBankA100 Posted August 3, 2023 Posted August 3, 2023 On 01/08/2023 at 21:44, tortron said: Is anyone driving / trailering from Auckland? There will defo from Hamilton ways. If you could magically appear with bike in or around Hamilton, you could come with on of us lower class Waikato folks. Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.