Ant and I did a bit of route checking yesterday (Sat 12/02). The Pararoa-Oakleigh Rd (part of Route 1 roded quite well, so this is going to be the main route of the day (take Route 2 if you want to get bored).
Unless there is a bigger group coming from AK we will meet up at Wellsford Caltex @ 10:30am.
11:00am: Depart Wellsford, ride SH1 to SH12 Maungaturoto turn off. Regrouping at the Brynderwyn Tearooms (The Swinging Cow Cafe').
11:45am: Depart Tearooms and ride to Paparoa.
12:15pm: At Paparoa the ride will follow Route 1 to Dargaville (approx 105Km from Tearooms to Dargaville), going via the Pararoa-Oakleigh Rd on to SH1. Then down Loop Rd and on to Otaika Valley Rd through to Maungatapere SH14. Then to Dargaville.
1:30pm: Regroup at Second Service Station West of SH12 and SH14 junction in Dargaville and then ride to the Burger place on the turn off North for Kia Iwi and the Wiapoua Forest.
2:30pm: Having had lunch, we will head to Kia Iwi via SH12 (35Km).
We should arrive at Kia Iwi before 3:30pm. Take you tong because if it is fine you'll want to cool off in the lake.
After a swim there we will decide what evryone wants to do. There will be three main options depending on what the riders feel upto:
Option 1: Is to ride back via SH12 & SH14 to Maungatapere. Refuel there. Those that wish to return home split here (approx 80Km's from Kai Iwi). Those the wish to stay over, have a drink, etc (if someone has a cool DVD bring it as I have access to a Dig. Projector. I could also put any dig. pic taken that day) can ride back to my place down Mangakahia Rd (a mere 27Km via Route 3 from Maugatapere).
Option 2: Ride back via SH12 to Dargville and split there (this would allow AK'ers to take Route 2 back which is quicker for them).
Option 3: This is an approx. 170Km route through Wiapoua Forest and Opononi to Kaikohe, and then down my home Rd (Mangakahia Rd) back to my place to stay over night. This would put another 2 1/2 hours on to the day so unless the riders are very keen I would not be recommending it (we will see on the day).
Some feed back would be helpful.
Thanks
Doug
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