North Auckland ride 10, 11, 12 June

[Crisis management]

Anyone interested in a budget weekend ride north of Auckland?

I have access to a bach at Snells beach (near Warkworth, an hour north of Auckland) and suggest the following......

Friday evening a couple of hours of gravel between Auckland and Warkworth possibly via the pub at Puhoi, depending on daylight & enthusiasm. Takeaways at Snells and bring your own sleeping bag.

Saturday towards Dargaville and onto the beach at North Kaipara (this is all a bit spur of the moment and will need refining), lots of good gravel and possibly sand ending up back at Snells, BBQ and beer drinking there. I will get food & beer in and work out a per head cost or something like that.

Sunday north on the east coast to Mangawhai and then back to Auckland via inland gravel.

Typically a rough and flexible plan the idea being to enjoy the multitude of gravel roads and scenery while imitating a KLR rider in the budget.....

Give me an indication of interest and any sugestions!

Iain

[MXNUT]

Anyone interested in a budget weekend ride north of Auckland?

I have access to a bach at Snells beach (near Warkworth, an hour north of Auckland) and suggest the following......

Friday evening a couple of hours of gravel between Auckland and Warkworth possibly via the pub at Puhoi, depending on daylight & enthusiasm. Takeaways at Snells and bring your own sleeping bag.

Saturday towards Dargaville and onto the beach at North Kaipara (this is all a bit spur of the moment and will need refining), lots of good gravel and possibly sand ending up back at Snells, BBQ and beer drinking there. I will get food & beer in and work out a per head cost or something like that.

Sunday north on the east coast to Mangawhai and then back to Auckland via inland gravel.

Typically a rough and flexible plan the idea being to enjoy the multitude of gravel roads and scenery while imitating a KLR rider in the budget.....

Give me an indication of interest and any sugestions!

Iain

Keen As Iain, count me in :woohoo::woohoo::niceone:

[.chris]

Keen. Wintery ride going to the winter-less north, genius!

[Steelie]

Im a starter :yes::woohoo:

[Crisis management]

A good start.... we can probably sleep 8 people comfortably, (well, I'll be comfortable) so if we get lots more the last ones in will have to be prepared for sleeping on the floor.
I wil start plotting some routes this week, all suggestions are welcome.

[Steelie]

Dont be afraid southern ones.:blink: Spaghetti junction is do-able :shit:

[Crisis management]

To accommodate some turning up late on Friday post work and for any locals that want to join in for either the Saturday or Sunday only, an incredibly detailed and flexible plan!
Note that all times and mileages are my usual wild guess and come with the disclaimer of “What can possibly go wrong”.

Friday:
Leaving Massey at the top of the North western motorway (Auckland) about 4 via gravel roads towards Puhoi and Warkworth aiming to be at Snells Beach around 6pm. For those coming from the south and going direct to Snells, it will be rush hour from 4 till 6 in Auckland and it’s one hour north of the central city, either come early or later, the traffic is not fun.

Saturday:
Leaving Snells about 9 heading north on the back roads past Wellsford and Kaiwaka, across SH1 then gravel to Dargaville (150kms?) lunch at Dargaville. Out to the coast at Glinks Gully then north up the beach to Baylys beach (low tide at midday) and across to the east coast by a whole lot of new gravel roads to Waipu. South down the coast through Mangawhai, Pakiri and to the first pub I can find in Matakana (180kms).
Collapse and embroider the truth.

Sunday:
Leaving 10ish? And heading across to the west coast again via the (gravel) back roads of Puhoi to Helensville, up towards South Head and onto the beach at Wilsons road via Parsons? Track. Head south down the beach to either get off at Rimmers road if we want more gravel or to Muriwai if we have had enough by then, again lots of choices (180kms?).

To Auckland early afternoon ish.

Lemme know what you think!

[unstuck]

There is a good pub at leigh with plenty of parking between pakiri and matakana. Also the ride down the beach from te-ari point to pakiri is an awesome one. Damn i wish i was coming.:yes::crybaby:

[.chris]

Lemme know what you think!

Sounds pretty damn good to me.

[Crisis management]

There is a good pub at leigh with plenty of parking between pakiri and matakana. Also the ride down the beach from te-ari point to pakiri is an awesome one. Damn i wish i was coming.:yes::crybaby:

Thanks for the Te Ari idea, I hadn't considered that....the Sawmill brewery / cafe at Leigh is always on my must visit list, a great micro brewery!

[MXNUT]

Sounds pretty damn good to me.

2nd that ..........

[Steelie]

Sounds pretty damn good to me.

............3rd that

[clint640]

Dont be afraid southern ones.:blink: Spaghetti junction is do-able :shit:

But it's soo scary :shit: ...all those Aucklanders in one place... :gob: can someone come down & give us some lane splitting lessons beforehand? :scooter:

Could be keen on this, A midday start from Vegas on the Friday might get us through Jaffaland before the mayhem gets too out of hand. :yes: Pencil us in for a couple of beds (or patches of floor) Will check work situation Tuesday & confirm.

Cheers
Clint

[BoristheBiter]

But it's soo scary :shit: ...all those Aucklanders in one place... :gob: can someone come down & give us some lane splitting lessons beforehand? :scooter:

Could be keen on this, A midday start from Vegas on the Friday might get us through Jaffaland before the mayhem gets too out of hand. :yes: Pencil us in for a couple of beds (or patches of floor) Will check work situation Tuesday & confirm.

Cheers
Clint

Long weekend, the madness starts at 7am and goes all day. Just hope it doesn't rain as that just makes it worse.

[nic]

I'm keen- ish

I REALLY wanna ride up north....but I really don't wanna sleep in a sleeping bag....

I shall ponder my dilemma further and see what I can come up with!

Is the plan to stay at Snells beach both nights??

[Crisis management]

It's tough finding the perfect sheila........




Both nights at Snells, we have 4 double beds and a single mattress available but I don't want to have to wash linen so you lot have to bring your own or a sleeping bag.
No charge for accomodation but something to cover the cost of food & drink, I will get in some beer and food for saturday & sunday breakfast and saturday night BBQ, friday night is local takeaways, pizza or fish & chips.
If you want to check out the prices at the Salty Dog (pub & motel) which is about 500 metres away feel free.

[nic]

It's tough finding the perfect sheila........

Both nights at Snells, we have 4 double beds and a single mattress available but I don't want to have to wash linen so you lot have to bring your own or a sleeping bag.
No charge for accomodation but something to cover the cost of food & drink, I will get in some beer and food for saturday & sunday breakfast and saturday night BBQ, friday night is local takeaways, pizza or fish & chips.
If you want to check out the prices at the Salty Dog (pub & motel) which is about 500 metres away feel free.

Oh dear - I didn't mean to sound ungrateful (which I fear I may have!!):facepalm:
I'm real keen to join you guys...and I have a sleeping bag.
Thank you for organising:love:

nic (The perfect sheila - IMO!!)

[.chris]

But it's soo scary :shit: ...all those Aucklanders in one place... :gob: can someone come down & give us some lane splitting lessons beforehand? :scooter:

Could be keen on this, A midday start from Vegas on the Friday might get us through Jaffaland before the mayhem gets too out of hand. :yes: Pencil us in for a couple of beds (or patches of floor) Will check work situation Tuesday & confirm.

Cheers
Clint


I can come down and escort you guys through the motorway/city, if I make an extra effort I could even get you onto police 10/7, or motorway patrol. :Police:

But seriously if anyone ends up in AK early you would be welcome around at my place as I will most likely not be up to much on friday (I am only 25min away from our planned leaving spot).

[Crisis management]

Can I have definate numbers by tomorrow night please, I need to organise beer & food.....and who needs to bring an air mattress with them.
I will PM out the address / map and contact numbers but a bit of an idea of who will be joining me for the trip up on friday would help although it is one of those "I'm leaving at 4.00pm, if you aren't there I'm not waiting" arrangements.

Nic, I'm not offended, you have to try a lot harder than that!

[unstuck]

Lake tomarata is also a good place to stop,if time permits.:crybaby:

[.chris]

Can I have definate numbers by tomorrow night please, I need to organise beer & food.....and who needs to bring an air mattress with them.
I will PM out the address / map and contact numbers but a bit of an idea of who will be joining me for the trip up on friday would help although it is one of those "I'm leaving at 4.00pm, if you aren't there I'm not waiting" arrangements.

Nic, I'm not offended, you have to try a lot harder than that!


Definitely in, and I can bring an airbed no problems.

[MXNUT]

A definate starter for sure. :yes::yes::yes:

Dont know if i will make the 4.00 pm friday meeting point at this stage so i might have to meet up at snells beach.

Will confirm closer to the time about that :bye:

[Steelie]

Yes im in. Not sure how Friday shall pan out yet.

[clint640]

In! :yes:

When you say Massey to meet I take it you mean the Shell Stn there?
We will aim for the 4pm kickoff which should be doable if leaving Rotorua at 12.

Will bring sleeping bags, let us know if camp mats are required.

Cheers
Clint

[Rosie]

In! :yes:

Also in! :yes:
(in case it wasn't obvious from Clint's post)

[nic]

sort of........... I have booked into the Salty Dog :D

I'll be starting out on Friday morning, riding up via Riverhead and will aim to get to Snells beach before dark

See y'all on Friday night :)

Looking forward to it

[Crisis management]

Mark, Chris, Dual (sorry forgotten your name) Clint & Rosie, I have beds for you so bring sleeping bags, Chris can you please bring a camp mattress / air bed for Al for saturday night. Nic, glad you can join us even if that is a slightly woosy option.... :shutup: The pub is about 500 m from the house so it's really close.

The friday evening plan is to depart the Shell station at Westgate / Massey at the top of the north western motorway at 4.00pm. Go to the end of the motorway, turn left and approx 500 metres on the left is the gas station (by a roundabout). I'm on the orange thing. I would like to get to Snells by dark so will definately be there by 6.00pm.

If you are going direct then use SH1 through Auckland to Warkworth (northern motorway), don't turn into Warkworth (it is off the highway) but at the third set of lights turn right then right again towards Sandspit / Snells / Algies.

I tried inserting a couple of maps here which was an epic fail, I will PM the address and my mobile no....call me if you get lost!

Saturday we need to leave at 9.00am, there is plenty of gas stops on the way and the first one is only about 10kms into the ride so don't panic if you haven't filled up, the max between gas looks like around 150kms.

I have got a cooked breakfast on saturday & sunday catered for and saturday dinner (you better like lasagne) and will have some beer in the fridge, I haven't worked out the cost of that yet but I imagine $30 or so (wild guess only). There is a pub / liquor store very locally and all the other shpos / stuff you could ever need.

Friday dinner is takeaways.

Hopefully that covers everything, let me know if there is anything else.

[.chris]

Sounds excellent. Will see you at westgate at 4pm.

Looking forward to a weekend away.. :woohoo:

edit: and yep, no problem to bring the blow-up bed.

[Crisis management]

Looks like some of you may get slightly damp on friday however, with extreme cunning I have manged to arrange a fine weekend!

See you all toomorrow. :scooter:

[.chris]

Looks like some of you may get slightly damp on friday however, with extreme cunning I have manged to arrange a fine weekend!

See you all toomorrow. :scooter:

It sure is looking nice out there now. Rain radar shows its going to be raining most of the day, getting lighter later on which is nice.
Might be a quick ride tonight eh!

[Crisis management]

I know what you mean, I keep looking out the window hoping for lightening skies.... not too bad tho. :blink:

[.chris]

Exellent weekend, thanks to our hosts for the great accommodation and food.

Was a well put together weekend of riding.
This picture pretty well sums it up.
<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/DBuoGxx0QNfBFpOWvMbS0KUm5HwHrcOTxCUZiMs2cyU?feat=e mbedwebsite"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-aMSaWnvfWnI/TfQ7QyMYBdI/AAAAAAAAKH8/h8E2FXHZedQ/s800/IMG_4316.JPG" height="534" width="800" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/c.p.whitehead/NorthOfAucklandAdventureRide?authkey=Gv1sRgCMy8g_S zhN_byQE&feat=embedwebsite">North of Auckland Adventure Ride</a></td></tr></table>

More photos on the above link or here (https://picasaweb.google.com/c.p.whitehead/NorthOfAucklandAdventureRide)

Last few of the photos are pulled from the videos so look a little rough, but are a nice preview (will sort the video shortly).

[Steelie]

Thanks for the great weekend Ian. Nice mix of roads and west coast beaches. Accommodation was 5 star.

:2thumbsup

[nic]

Thanks to Crisis (and his missus) for their hospitality:2thumbsup and MXNUT for outstanding roadside assistance/tyre changing lesson :hug:

Great roads, and beaches:D and great company!!

[tri boy]

I bet I had more fun raking wet leaves off the lawn:bs:
Maybe next time:yes:

[ADVGD]

Exellent weekend...More photos on the above link or here (https://picasaweb.google.com/c.p.whitehead/NorthOfAucklandAdventureRide)

Nice pics, looked like a goodie :yes:

[clint640]

Yep, a top ride, well done Iain!:2thumbsup

All the critical ingredients were there, interesting backroads, scenic stuff, challenging bits, good food & drink, salubrious accommodation & excellent company. :banana:

Cheers
Clint

[.chris]

A bit of video, first scenes were near Kaukapakapa on a rather muddy challenge loop myself and Al decided to have a crack at, then Mark coming down Boathouse Hill Road, which he was the only one keen enough to attempt. Then a bit footage of everyone getting onto the beach then crusing/beach racing practice on Muriwai beach.

<iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/25014923?title=0&amp;byline=0&amp;portrait=0&amp;color=ff9933" width="720" height="405" frameborder="0"></iframe><p><a href="http://vimeo.com/25014923">North of Auckland Adventure Ride</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user7423545">Chris Whitehead</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</p>

[MXNUT]

Thanks for an excellent weekend Iain, this was easily the best ride i have done this year. :mega:

Totally impressive roads / tracks and beaches all within 2 hours of Auckland. :gob:

Thanks to you and your wife for the outstanding hospitality.:rockon:

[Crisis management]

Thanks all, I'm glad you enjoyed it, it was a good reminder to myself of how much good riding is accessible. Chris, thanks for the pics, please try and make me look more competent next time....


Now, I need a new rear tyre and a couple of hours near Kaukopakopa, boatshed and telecom hill need a revisit.

[.chris]

Thanks all, I'm glad you enjoyed it, it was a good reminder to myself of how much good riding is accessible. Chris, thanks for the pics, please try and make me look more competent next time....


Now, I need a new rear tyre and a couple of hours near Kaukopakopa, boatshed and telecom hill need a revisit.

Not sure what I can do to make you look more competent, hauling ass uphill in sand seems more than competent to me.
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-DMtchPD_cO8/TfQ7a9-iAaI/AAAAAAAAKIg/vXqEPuCJMro/s640/MVI_4348-2.jpg

Let me know when you are heading for boathouse/telecom hil, I can come and film your *competence* :yeah:

Also I left my towel in your downstairs bathroom, if you could bring that back auckland way next time you are up there that would be great. Thanks.

[Crisis management]

Also I left my towel in your downstairs bathroom, if you could bring that back auckland way next time you are up there that would be great. Thanks.

Dang, I was hoping the pink fluffy towel wasn't the property of an Aucklander, you realise what you are doing to our reputation....


I've got it at home, so PM me your address and I can drop it off when I'm passing or if your over Hillsborough way you are most welcome to drop in.

[marks]

Dang, I was hoping the pink fluffy towel wasn't the property of an Aucklander, you realise what you are doing to our reputation....


Aucklander + KTM owner + Pink towel

no room for any doubt

time to step out of the closet I'd say

[nic]

240760240761240759240762

1. XT:love: and view from roadside
2. Our esteemed leader
3. The weekend collective
4. Rosie, "adventure Al" and Clint640 on a road from which there was a great view.

[Dont Know]

Hi Iain thank you for such a great ride plenty of bits I had not riden before. Your cooking is better than your riding, more competent.

Cheers
Al


Thanks all, I'm glad you enjoyed it, it was a good reminder to myself of how much good riding is accessible. Chris, thanks for the pics, please try and make me look more competent next time....


Now, I need a new rear tyre and a couple of hours near Kaukopakopa, boatshed and telecom hill need a revisit.

[.chris]

Aucklander + KTM owner + Pink towel

no room for any doubt

time to step out of the closet I'd say

Cheeky bastard!

[marks]

Cheeky bastard!

I'm just jealous



I always wanted a pink towel

[Rosie]

I've finally got around to putting photos (and words!) up on ADV (http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?p=16200182#post16200182).

[MXNUT]

Hey Iain, any plans for a ride again this year, really enjoyed last years.

Hint .. Hint ... Hint :innocent::innocent::corn::corn:

[Gman71]

I second that. Something up AKLD way about due..........

[Steelie]

Yeah, last year was a great ride. :yeah:

[dino3310]

Hey Iain, any plans for a ride again this year, really enjoyed last years.

Hint .. Hint ... Hint :innocent::innocent::corn::corn:

Dont forget to top ya oil up this time:rolleyes:

[Crisis management]

Hadn't thought about it so far, I'm sort of busy in June but will have a look at the calendar, probably after the MMMMM.

Maybe try for more beach riding, further south on the Kaipara?

[MXNUT]

Dont forget to top ya oil up this time:rolleyes:

Wrong Ride, that was the Kaipara 200




Maybe try for more beach riding, further south on the Kaipara?

Excellent idea, maybe an August ride :2thumbsup

[MXNUT]

Bumpity Bump :scratch:



Any Cunning plan formulated yet.

Its nearly August;)

[Crisis management]

Bumpity Bump :scratch:



Any Cunning plan formulated yet.

Its nearly August;)

Pushy.... it's almost half a month until August.

I'll give it some thought this week and see what I can come up with.