Around the North Island Oct - Nov

[Jantar]

After Telling Mrs J all about the Southern Cross ride she has finally decided that she would like to see all the sights in NZ from the back of a bike. So North Island, here we come.

I haven't set an itinery as yet, but we'll probably head up the east coast, then back down the west coast of both islands over a two week period.

Any KBers who would like to join in for part or parts of the ride are most welcome.

:ride: :ride: :ride: :ride:

[JohnBoy]

you should try and time your ride around the cold kiwi, its the starts around the begining of september..ish. will be a good flavour of north islanders there! only a 3.5 hr ride from wellington.

[Jantar]

No. September we are still feeding out hay to animals, spraying the fruit trees etc. Late October is the earliest we can both get away.

[Waylander]

Let me know when it gets closer to the time. Might treat myself for a bit and ride with you for most of the north island if I can.

[Paul in NZ]

Labour Weekend is the Guzzi rally and we will be down your way.

We will be riding north via either coast and taking it easy!

Cheers

[Racey Rider]

I can organize a place to stay in New plymouth for a night or two if your interested.
With us if just a few of you, or at a church lounge if a bigger number.

Here's a thread I started 18 months ago about a North Is Tour (http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=932).
It didn't come together at the time, but we have a lot more member now so could now work if others were interested in this type of ride.

Racey.

[Blackbird]

Goes without saying that I will be mightily offended if you don't avail yourself of some hospitality in Tokoroa and Coromandel. Stay as long as you like in Coro - superb riding roads.

Dawn view from our front deck to tempt you!

Geoff

[Hitcher]

Malcolm -- come up for the Grand Challenge. Mrs H and I are starting a two weeks' motorcycling holiday in the upper half of the North Island immediately we complete this year's GC.

[RiderInBlack]

Malcolm -- come up for the Grand Challenge. Mrs H and I are starting a two weeks' motorcycling holiday in the upper half of the North Island immediately we complete this year's GC.The 19th Grand Challenge starts/finishes in Turangi and is on th 15th-16th October. Hope to be there with "Roxanne".
Don't forget I owe you and your wife a bed and some KFC, so there is always a bed (Queen size) here for you both. I may or may not be able to do much riding with you as I may or may not be helping with calving nextdoor in September (should be finnished by Oct).

[Hitcher]

The 19th Grand Challenge starts/finishes in Turangi and is on th 15th-16th October. Hope to be there with "Roxanne".
Don't forget I owe you and your wife a bed and some KFC, so there is always a bed (Queen size) here for you both. I may or may not be able to do much riding with you as I may or may not be helping with calving nextdoor in September (should be finnished by Oct).
Many thanks for the offer, RIB. Northland is still a part of the country we still have to explore on bikes!

[RiderInBlack]

Many thanks for the offer, RIB. Northland is still a part of the country we still have to explore on bikes!Eer, I was meant that for Malcome, but you and your wife are welcome too (as long as you bring some malt wiskey with you :whistle: ).

[Hitcher]

Eer, I was meant that for Malcome, but you and your wife are welcome too (as long as you bring some malt whisky with you).
A bottle of malt in exchange for a queen-size bed sounds like a very fair trade. I'll get you to name your poison nearer the time...

[Jantar]

OK, I've checked the roster at work, and I'm not required from the 27th October to the 21st November. So it'll be somewhere between those dates.

Blackbird, We would be pleased to accept your kind invitation for both Coro and Tokoroa.

RIB, We also hope to get up your way. I'll confirm closer to the time.

At this stage we intend to stay a night or two at waipukarau with a friend of Mrs J, then head up the coast over one or two nights to Coromandel. From there we hope to head up to RIB's area before returning to Tokoroa for a night. Next would be Otorohanga and Waitomo caves for a night or two before heading on south via Taranaki.

I'll firm up with more details later.

:ride: :ride: :ride: :ride:

[Hitcher]

OK, I've checked the roster at work, and I'm not required from the 27th October to the 21st November. So it'll be somewhere between those dates.

Blackbird, We would be pleased to accept your kind invitation for both Coro and Tokoroa.

RIB, We also hope to get up your way. I'll confirm closer to the time.

At this stage we intend to stay a night or two at waipukarau with a friend of Mrs J, then head up the coast over one or two nights to Coromandel. From there we hope to head up to RIB's area before returning to Tokoroa for a night. Next would be Otorohanga and Waitomo caves for a night or two before heading on south via Taranaki.

I'll firm up with more details later.
Malcolm

We live less than five minutes from the ferry terminals in Wellington. We'll be returning on the weekend of 29 October. If you need a bed in Wellington after that weekend, then please keep us in mind.

[Jantar]

Malcolm

We live less than five minutes from the ferry terminals in Wellington. We'll be returning on the weekend of 29 October. If you need a bed in Wellington after that weekend, then please keep us in mind.

Many thanks for the offer H, We'll see how the timetable works out closer to the time. :niceone:

[Paul in NZ]

Same here dude..

We are an hour out of welliewood and a bed here in either direction.

Paul and Vicki

[Hitcher]

and a bed here in either direction
Beds that go both ways. What next?

[Jantar]

Our timetable has now firmed up somewhat, and our rough itinery is:

Sat 29th: Alexandra to Methven via Lindis and inland scenic route.
Sun 30th: Methven to Kaikoura, via whatever road looks good at the time.
Mon 31st: Kaikoura to Picton via Havelock and Queen Charlotte Drive.
Tues 1st: 8:00 am ferry to Wellington, then on to Waipukarau via the eastern route (Alfredton - Wimbldon).

From here ther are a few options that will depend on the weather.

Option A:
Thu 3rd: Waipukarau - Tokomaru Bay
Fri 4th: Tokomaru Bay - Somewhere in the Tauranga - Katikati area:
Sat 5th: Onto Coromandel.

Option B:
Thu 3rd: Waipukarau - Gisborne
Fri 4th: Gisborne - Somewhere in the Tauranga - Katikati area:
Sat 5th: Onto Coromandel.

Option C:
Thu 3rd: Waipukarau - Taupo
Fri 4th: Taupo - Coromandel

From there we haven't set any dates too firm, but after 1 or 2 nights in Coromandel its down to Tokoroa, on to Taranaki, then back down to the Wellington area, and probably crossing back to the South Island on the 10th or 11th.

Form Picton to Blackball, then depending on the weather either down the West coast, or back over Arthurs Pass to arrive home somewhere around the 14th

Its not quite as long away as I'd hoped for, and we'll miss the far north. But hopefully it will give Mrs J an idea of the North Island roads.

[RiderInBlack]

Bugger, so I'm going to miss you fine commany up here am I:violin: Oh well, hope you have a good trip:spudwave: Your always welcome if you are ever heading this way:2thumbsup

[Paul in NZ]

All sounds good...

Tip #1 - Stay off shw1

We will be back before you bowl through on your way home so perhaps we can hook up. Beds here if required!

Cheers