NZ_2019...The Missing Link

Zuckerbaron

Tour Pro
agile_ant_102.JPG



What a spot to make new friends ...


Looks like pirates on holidays! :woot:
Next stop is on the beach for a party with lots of rum. One seems already to be prepared. :chug:


Thanks for showing us the fine gravel roads of NZ.

:clap:
 

glitch

Mapping the next ride...
Staff member
A true "Salt & Pepper"-day !!!

An incredible light + shadows spectacle :eek: through the day...then run for cover when that front of black monsters starts unloading.

Check the map below for a roughly-clockwise run, up the hills of Ridge Rd. first, then tapping into the Gentle Annie towards the East....before running from the thunderstorms back towards Taihape and sneaking south, tucking behind and underneath the blackbellies, looping back to town the long way around.

A few tries at something... a couple of bomb outs and hasty retreats...and while we got a little wet, the cameras kept smoking at what nature dished out


And NO SKIMPING on THAT score!! LIGHTS ON AT RIDGE ROAD....Enjoy the show!

:glu:glu:glu



2019_Wairarapa_255.JPG



2019_Wairarapa_256.JPG




agile_ant_122.JPG





agile_ant_123.JPG



https://isn.page.link/nwyb


Map_16.JPG




2019_Wairarapa_257.JPG



agile_ant_124.JPG



agile_ant_125.JPG




2019_Wairarapa_258.JPG



agile_ant_126.JPG



agile_ant_127.JPG
 

glitch

Mapping the next ride...
Staff member
A wall of rain is chasing us off the ridges and east, across the SH1 highway onto the Gentle Annie road...




2019_Wairarapa_266.JPG



Prickly spines...



2019_Wairarapa_268.JPG



Yeah, right abouts there...


agile_ant_130.JPG




2019_Wairarapa_269.JPG





2019_Wairarapa_272.JPG




agile_ant_129.JPG





2019_Wairarapa_270.JPG





agile_ant_131.JPG




2019_Wairarapa_271.JPG
 

glitch

Mapping the next ride...
Staff member
A last look...


2019_Wairarapa_273.JPG




...and it's up the hill to the Mangaohane Rd. turn off, which promises a glorious 30km farm-track loop back towards Taihape.
Hmmm...it also promises a good, old soaking!



agile_ant_132.JPG



It looks like it rather GUARANTEES a good, old soaking...
...and the spittle starts as the wind gusts up!



Staying on the asphalt and turning tail...in a hurry!



agile_ant_134.JPG




agile_ant_135.JPG
 

glitch

Mapping the next ride...
Staff member
With the black stuff up there pushing towards the north-west, there might just be a pocket of blue behind it...another look at that map then.



Map_16.JPG



Yeah, right about here...

2019_Wairarapa_275.JPG




....and so we dive into the stunning Taihape eastern backblocks!



2019_Wairarapa_277.JPG



...Pukeokahu Rd. towards Taoroa Junction is the undoubted star of the afternoon show :drool:


agile_ant_133.JPG



agile_ant_136.JPG



Not a bad spot, this Taihape....



agile_ant_140.JPG



...except the Bank looks a bit dodgy!


agile_ant_137.JPG




agile_ant_138.JPG




Despite...or rather, because...of the threatening weather for most of the day, it all turned into one cracker of a day on the bikes.
Would have loved to complete some of the planned loops, but this leaves plenty of material for another visit.


:lao
 

glitch

Mapping the next ride...
Staff member
Skies and sun to make up for the last 2 days

Leaving Taihape

Another heart-tearing morning at Ridge Road

Mt. Ruapehu splendor

Bumbling through the Northern Manawatu

Tongariro National Park

Upper Wanganui River

Home away from home

...



https://isn.page.link/3oSm

Map_17.JPG




A quick stop at Taihape's main claim of (official) fame...I can certainly add a few better ones :)



agile_ant_139.JPG




...and it's back up the Pukenaua Rd. for the climb to Ridge Rd....
Once more frontpage-material for the wonderland-catalogue!!


OMG !
:glu:glu


2019_Wairarapa_279.JPG



Ant's shots bust the lens! :clap:




agile_ant_141.JPG




agile_ant_143.JPG





agile_ant_144.JPG



Dropping down the other side to the small settlement of Mataroa, the views pan NORTH! More :slobb:slobb


2019_Wairarapa_278.JPG
 

glitch

Mapping the next ride...
Staff member
Roger at the bottom right is still cruising the shadows.


2019_Wairarapa_281.JPG



Center of attention for the next 3 hours of totally deserted backroads-heaven....Mt. Ruapehu, slowly loosing its cloudy cap to sparkle into the deep blue skies.
It just doesn't get better than this!


2019_Wairarapa_289.JPG



2019_Wairarapa_291.JPG



Just follow the blue line between Taihape on the right to Raetihi



Map_18.JPG




2019_Wairarapa_282.JPG



2019_Wairarapa_286.JPG




agile_ant_145.JPG




2019_Wairarapa_284.JPG


IMG]
 

glitch

Mapping the next ride...
Staff member
agile_ant_146.JPG




agile_ant_147.JPG



agile_ant_148.JPG



2019_Wairarapa_287.JPG



With that mountain calling us the whole morning, there's no stopping now...Ohakune Mountain Road is a MUST!

Here's a bit of the history of that road...


agile_ant_149.JPG




The 17k's of prime twisties and sweepers (one way) are brilliant....until realizing the fact that one scratches up an active volcanic cone

:bow:



2019_Wairarapa_293.JPG




agile_ant_151.JPG




2019_Wairarapa_294.JPG




agile_ant_150.JPG
 
Top Bottom