Auckland - Whangarei

[Lteejay]

Might be heading to Whangarei next Friday. Will probably just head up SH1. There is a small stretch of windy road between Warkworth and Wellsford which is nice to ride, but dont know what the road from Wellsford to Whangarei is like - been a while since I went that way in a car and have never been past Wellsford on my Bike. Is it dead straight and boring or a mixture?

Or are there any other recommended routes from Wellsford to Whangarei that would suit a newbie who now has a bit of confidence and who's looking to take the next step in advancing their riding.

Thanks in advance (can you also please include approx riding times)

Cheers :niceone:

[Usarka]

Hang a right just past wellsford and do the route out to Mangawai / Waipu. Comes back to the straights heading into Ruakaka. Takes a while longer but much more fun :)

I'm pretty sure its signposted.

[The Pastor]

yeah def go up through waipu, much much better,

And im not sure if it takes longer, if i had a fancy gps system i'd be able to tell ya, but since knowing that road its the only way I go now.

And by the feel of it it feels the same time either way, just more curves and less cars :)

[Lteejay]

Actually I have been on that road to Mangawhai Heads once before.Might do that again and then just head back on SH1 the rest of the way.

[steveb64]

Actually I have been on that road to Mangawhai Heads once before.Might do that again and then just head back on SH1 the rest of the way.

Just be careful once north of the Brynderwyns (big hill, north of Dargaville turnoff) - the flat straight bits past Waipu, through Ruakaka, towards Whangarei are the local cops favourite hunting grounds. Often a speed camera hidden on side of road, or cops lurking around. Good place to practice RWR.

Have a nice ride. :2thumbsup

[Lteejay]

Just be careful once north of the Brynderwyns (big hill, north of Dargaville turnoff) - the flat straight bits past Waipu, through Ruakaka, towards Whangarei are the local cops favourite hunting grounds. Often a speed camera hidden on side of road, or cops lurking around. Good place to practice RWR.

Have a nice ride. :2thumbsup

Thanks Mate - will look out for cops, although being a bit of a nanna I shouldn't have too much issue. RWR????? or am I being brain dead?

[steveb64]

Thanks Mate - will look out for cops, although being a bit of a nanna I shouldn't have too much issue. RWR????? or am I being brain dead?

Right Wrist Restraint! :rolleyes:

[Lteejay]

Ahaaaaaaaaaaa :doh:

[gijoe1313]

Most excellent! Little ol'hornets love nothing better than being a little tickle on a pootle to parts unknown! It loves 10000 rpms through twisty bits and cruising it on the highways and byways :woohoo:

Hmmm too bad I be teaching sproglets in confined musty quarters on Friday! I would have joined you and made a mini swarm! Bzzzt! :msn-wink:

Don't forget to wash and shine and polish your little ol'hornet before you do a ride out, loves being sparkly clean to show off! :love:

And take piccies of said little ol'hornet parked up in some lovely scenic spot! :msn-wink:

[Mom]

Actually I have been on that road to Mangawhai Heads once before.Might do that again and then just head back on SH1 the rest of the way.

SH1 is a very boring straight bit of road for the most part. If you want a bit of nice windy road to cruise along then take the Mangawhai route. I would caution the Mangawhai to Waipu road though, it gets really tight and twisty in places and the road condition last time I was through there was appalling. As an alternative, turn left when you get to Mangawhai Village, that is a really really lovely piece of road that takes you back to Kaiwaka. A huge detour but worth it. How long do you have for your trip? I can suggest another detour before the Brynderwyns that will also take you on some lovely country roads.

[geoffm]

Take highway 16 from west Auckland to Wellsford (with a detour through Old North Road/ Peak rd if you wish), SH1 to Brynderwyn and turn right towards Dargaville to Papamoa. Take the Papamoa/ Oakliegh road - awesome road. It comes out near Portland, 20mins from Whangarei.
If you don't mind 2km of gravel, Snookes road connects up with roads runnign to Maungatapere and SH14 to Dargaville.
Take a good road atlas - lots of little roads where you can get lost easily.
G

[crshbndct]

and when you get here - make sure you do the ngunguru-snakehill road and back to kamo loop

its good

and for some truly good roads, (well short good bits) head north, (via snake hill) and hang a right on the main road. then head for pigs head road - nice bit there used to be my daily commute in my mr2

[Reefer]

Up old north. Turn off at West Coast Rd and through to Warkworth. About 2kms from Wellsford take the right turn (Waybe Station Rd) at the start of the passing lane. At the end of that rd, right then left (100mtrs), end of that will bring you to Mangawai Rd. Was sealed about 6 months ago. Agree with Mom, the run back to Kaiwaka is a great piece of road and you never know what is happening between Maungawai and Waipu. That would make a great day of twisties. Can give you a heads up on Waipu Rd next week if you like always a good excuse to ride that way :niceone:

[Lteejay]

SH1 is a very boring straight bit of road for the most part. If you want a bit of nice windy road to cruise along then take the Mangawhai route. I would caution the Mangawhai to Waipu road though, it gets really tight and twisty in places and the road condition last time I was through there was appalling. As an alternative, turn left when you get to Mangawhai Village, that is a really really lovely piece of road that takes you back to Kaiwaka. A huge detour but worth it. How long do you have for your trip? I can suggest another detour before the Brynderwyns that will also take you on some lovely country roads.

I've got all day, so would love any suggestions

[Lteejay]

Thanks Everyone - good suggestions

Trip so far
AKL>Warkworth>Mangawhai>Kawaka>Brynderwyn. Looks likes theres a few options after that.

Can anyone advise what SH12 is like from Brynderwyn all the way around through dargaville and looped back to Wangarei?


Take the Papamoa/ Oakliegh road - awesome road. It comes out near Portland, 20mins from Whangarei.

Is this road in good nick? I couldn't find papamoa on the map, but it looks like the road that leaves SH12 just before Matakohe?

Cheers

[DUCATI*HARD]

you make me wanna ride now:chase:have a good1:2thumbsup

[Pancakes]

I was planning on an up north figure 8 one weekday next week. Up East Coast Rd, Up this side of the Brendeywns, down thru Waipu to Mangawhai or Ruakaka or somewhere for breakfast then back via the Mangawhai to Kaiwaka way and H16. Was thinking early cos the air is nice and the day grows on you.

Want a friend for your ride? Are you going somewhere or going for a ride? I'm pretty flexible.

[nodrog]

Can anyone advise what SH12 is like from Brynderwyn all the way around through dargaville and looped back to Wangarei? Cheers

the ruawai straights are very boring, fall asleep material, i suggest you cut through the paparoa road and come out 25km south of whangarei back onto SH1.

[Pancakes]

Ooh nice, I don't really know any fun ways from Marsden North and Wises has crapped up on me so not browsing that anymore. Any other good online maps? (that load fast for dial-up?) Is there a bike shop in "The Gateway to the North" with a view of water or something and a cafe nearby?

[nodrog]

Ooh nice, I don't really know any fun ways from Marsden North and Wises has crapped up on me so not browsing that anymore. Any other good online maps? (that load fast for dial-up?) Is there a bike shop in "The Gateway to the North" with a view of water or something and a cafe nearby?

try this

http://www.smaps.co.nz/nz/whangarei/waiotira/paparoa+road/

no bike shops near the water, but if you pop into Maunders Suzuki some of the boys might be keen to take you for a putt out to Tutakaka, or at least point you in the right direction. awesome veiws out there and roads, plus a nice cafe that sells "cold beverages", dont know what the food tastes like, but it looks nice.

[BevanPT]

I was planning a bit of a ride for next weekend, but now it looks like other commitments have popped up. I'm in a position to take the day off on Friday and join you for your ride if you want some company.

I've done the ride to Whangarei and further plenty of times. Usually by SH16 to Wellsford and then SH1 the rest of the way. It'd be nice to check out some of the other routes for more of a scenic ride though. I think i've got some maps of the area somewhere as well.

PM me if you want to organise anything.

[steveb64]

Thanks Everyone - good suggestions

Trip so far
AKL>Warkworth>Mangawhai>Kawaka>Brynderwyn. Looks likes theres a few options after that.

Can anyone advise what SH12 is like from Brynderwyn all the way around through dargaville and looped back to Wangarei?


Is this road in good nick? I couldn't find papamoa on the map, but it looks like the road that leaves SH12 just before Matakohe?

Cheers

Papamoa Road comes out through Maungakaramea (Manga...?) - the Portland intersection (off SH1) is Maungatapere or Portland.

Be careful on the Papamoa road - there's a couple of corners that look like they go nearly straight - but when you get there, they do a large U - so the ongoing road that you've seen - has a big hole, and a hard left/right/left.

[DMNTD]

Paparoa Rd.... :sunny:

[Pancakes]

Looks like poopy whatits Rd is a go then. LTJ you up for some company? Bevan I'm keen as. Also more than happy getting lost on windey roads, at the very worst the road ends and you do it all again!! So day trip to the jewel of Northland (is it?) with a culinary stop or two along the way.

[EJK]

Tell me the date and time, I might join you guys :sunny:


...Can I? lol

[Lteejay]

I'm in a position to take the day off on Friday and join you for your ride if you want some company.

PM me if you want to organise anything.


So day trip to the jewel of Northland (is it?) with a culinary stop or two along the way.


Tell me the date and time, I might join you guys :sunny:

Sounds good - thinking of leaving early-ish Friday. Destination for me is Whangarei as the other half is flying up for a conference and I thought its a great excuse for a ride. Im not much of a racer so if everyone is happy to ride their own ride and catch up at different places then thats cool.

Will send PM's tomorrow when I'm more awake.

[EJK]

So wheres the meeting place? :sunny:

[klingon]

oooooh you guys are giving me itchy feet (itchy wheels?) Hmmm I wonder if I might just tag along... I have a bunch of things to do in Auckland on Saturday so a little Friday day trip up and back would be just right for me...

It would be my first out of town ride on the Volty! Exciting! :clap:

[BevanPT]

oooooh you guys are giving me itchy feet (itchy wheels?) Hmmm I wonder if I might just tag along... I have a bunch of things to do in Auckland on Saturday so a little Friday day trip up and back would be just right for me...

It would be my first out of town ride on the Volty! Exciting! :clap:


Do it Klingon!!!

Fingers crossed the weather plays along.

[Pancakes]

Can't be sure at this stage but my gammy knee wants it to be awesome so get the day off!

[Lteejay]

oooooh you guys are giving me itchy feet (itchy wheels?) Hmmm I wonder if I might just tag along... I have a bunch of things to do in Auckland on Saturday so a little Friday day trip up and back would be just right for me...

It would be my first out of town ride on the Volty! Exciting! :clap:

:banana: Yah - it will be fun. Everyone will be riding their own ride, so no pressure, no one behind pushing anyone. Well meet up at a few places along the way. I dare ya - come on.

[Pancakes]

I'll bring my camera too so I can get some good action shots if you want. There's some motivation, a pic to put on your wall!

LTJ, what time do you need to be up there by?

EJ, probably Westgate would suit everyone? Feel free to come to mine for a coffee first if ya like.


Whangarei - "The long way around" is in full effect. And one thing I love about weekday rides (apart from less cars on the road) is thinking about people working hard.... then tucking into another sweet corner!!

[Lteejay]

No rush getting there, but as you all need to get back again to the city, how about 09:30 Fri morning. Was thinking of meeting in the city, only because its close to me and I am just around the corner from the Northern on-ramp.
How about the petrol station on the corner of Krd and Ponsonby rd (can't remember if it is a shell, bp etc off the top of my head).

Meet at 9am for 9:30 departure. Happy to leave it another half hour and or meet somewhere else if that suits everyone

[Swoop]

How about the petrol station on the corner of Krd and Ponsonby rd (can't remember if it is a shell, bp etc off the top of my head).
I think that is a Mobil.

[Pancakes]

I'm sweet with whenever. few hours up, dick around for an hour or ride out to the heads and back. Before I crashed your party I was gonna leave early like 6-7am but am easy as.I'll come out the upper harbour bridge way. Want to meet on Oteha Valley Rd (Albany) at the gas (Mobil) station off and under the M'way then immediatly on the left? Can go onto East Coast Rd from there easy.

ALSO, get off at Greville Rd, do 270 degrees right around that roundabout then get back on the M'way again! It's good for a laugh if you don't go to the shore much.

[Lteejay]

PM's sent to all - have to leave much earlier as I will be going a bit further north. See map attached mentioned in PM

[EJK]

EJ, probably Westgate would suit everyone? Feel free to come to mine for a coffee first if ya like.

Meet at Westgate Shell? Anywhere doesn't matter lol
Wanna meet up at Whangarei? :lol:

So what time? :)

[Pancakes]

New time is all good by me.

EJ, meet me at the bottom of the Upper Harbour (Greenhithe) bridge at 6:50 and we'll gap it to Albany from there a?

LTJ, there are servo's galore, you'll be sweet as.

[BevanPT]

New time is all good by me.

EJ, meet me at the bottom of the Upper Harbour (Greenhithe) bridge at 6:50 and we'll gap it to Albany from there a?

LTJ, there are servo's galore, you'll be sweet as.


I'm coming from Henderson so bottom of bridge is good for me. Is there room to pull over to the side before bridge?

[Lteejay]

Just sent a bunch of PM's and then checked the thread. Sounds like everyones is meeting out West, so I will see you all at the Albany petrol station at 7am for 7:30 departure :woohoo:

Now all we need is the weather gods to be smiling our way.:sunny:

[Pancakes]

Lots of room on the left after the trees and before the bridge on the right hand bend

[EJK]

Mr. Cakes (lol jks) I txted Lteejay and made our meeting points and time.
They are:
Meeting at K'rd & Ponsonby rd Mobil at 6:30am :lol: (Don't worry, I've done a ride meeting at 4:00 am before lol)

So I guess I'll be seeing you at Albany?
Sorry about all the changes made btw...

[EJK]

Now all we need is the weather gods to be smiling our way.:sunny:

... And a good and early breakfast :lol::lol::lol:

[Pancakes]

.............(Don't worry, I've done a ride meeting at 4:00 am before lol)

Yeah but are you gonna sleep before this one? hehehehehe


So I guess I'll be seeing you at Albany?
Sorry about all the changes made btw...

No sweat dude, we do this kinda thing for fun, do whatever you like, see you cats there and woo hoo! We're off! I am normally up quite early and most days, even dry ones it drizzles just before the sun comes up. Air pressure change blah blah. Beware the skid demon!

[EJK]

lol I WILL be sleeping in this one ;)
or give me a wake up call 021-049-9359 :)

[BevanPT]

bugger it all. I have to pull out of the ride. An urgent job has come up that I just can't put off. I'm gutted - was looking forward to the ride and meeting y'all. Next time hopefully. :weep:

Safe riding all.

[Lteejay]

No worries - next time then. The weathers not looking too bloody good for the whole weekend. :crybaby:

[EJK]

:0 Hopefully the weather will hold up till tomorrow :(

[klingon]

Sorry all, I can't make it either. If things change I will rock up to the K Rd Mobil at 6:30am but I can't see things (work) changing before then.

Have a marvellous ride LTJ and team, and post a report to tell us all how it went!

[Lteejay]

Reefer might be joining us in Warkworth also.

[EJK]

I'm still in. Keep up the ego lol no time to depress!

[Lteejay]

Well, I'm still in - will txt/pm everyone later tonight. It looks like its going to drizzle off and on all day, but hey you can't win them all. Its the heavy rain on Sunday coming home that I'm not looking forward to :shutup:

[0arbreaka]

Hey guys, I might be up for it, what time would you be back in auckland though?

[EJK]

We are leaving early at 7am. So I say definitely within 4pm?
You are most welcome :yes:

[0arbreaka]

I have work at 4pm so if I was to come Id have to be back by then

[EJK]

Well you've got a 0.6 OF A WEAPON lol
Your choice :yes: no need to escort the 0.225 back to auckland lol

[0arbreaka]

Well that is true, but I do value my license a bit too much to risk trying to make it back to Auckland in a short time

[EJK]

3:00pm - 7:00am = 8 Hours of ride
That might be plenty to go up and back?

[0arbreaka]

Hmmmmm sounds tempting... How long will you guys be in Whangerei for?

[EJK]

lol dunno, I might just have BK for lunch and head back lol

[Lteejay]

Hmmmmm sounds tempting... How long will you guys be in Whangerei for?

Probably stop in Whangarei for lunch and then I will be carrying on further north. We might have a couple of stops on the way up, unsure where yet. We are leaving pretty early, but I'm not planning a fast ride, so its up to you. Your welcome if you want to come.

[klingon]

Right, I'm back in again! Will be at the K Rd Mobil at 6:30am! But I have to be back in town for a meeting at 9:30am so will probably just come to Orewa or thereabouts, then head back into town (in time to catch up with the rush hour traffic :()

Yay! Looking forward to meeting whoever comes along :)

[Lteejay]

See ya all tomorrow

[Pancakes]

Arrgh! I knew it would clear up and love looking after the kiids but can think of more funn stuff that taking care of my sick and snotty wife! we'll have to do another soon, I'm so itching and am doing lots on my own but want to ride with a few more 250's too. Do you guys normally have weekdays off? I do for the next few weeks at least. Was gonna take the camera and get some pics too. ah well.......

[EJK]

Ah the weathers so unfortunate. I had my day off at school and wanted to do some getaway :(

[klingon]

Ah the weathers so unfortunate. I had my day off at school and wanted to do some getaway :(

Yeah, shame about the weather EJ, but it was lovely to meet you and ride with you in the rain. You poor thing... LTJ and I had an EJ sandwich - a biker chick each side and you in the middle! :laugh:

Hope you got home and got your gear dried ok.

[Reefer]

Arrgh! I knew it would clear up and love looking after the kiids but can think of more funn stuff that taking care of my sick and snotty wife! we'll have to do another soon, I'm so itching and am doing lots on my own but want to ride with a few more 250's too. Do you guys normally have weekdays off? I do for the next few weeks at least. Was gonna take the camera and get some pics too. ah well.......


I have weekdays off (between jobs at mo) and will be keen for some rides. Give me a shout and we can catch up. Need to scrub in a new front tire too!! I'm on an old 400 at the mo so 250 pace. Look forward to it.