Northern Exposure Tour 2010
5th Annual Northern Exposure Tour 2010
That time of the year again! Qkchk and Qkkid would like to announce the NET 2010
A 3 day tour during the Auckland anniversary Weekend - 30th, 31st Jan and the 1st Feb 2010.
Up the West Coast to the Far North (Lighthouse @ Cape Reinga) and back down the East Coast.
Tour Itinerary:
Saturday 30th Jan
- Meeting Shell Westgate @ 8.30am with a pre ride briefing @ 9am leaving shortly after. BE THERE BEFORE THE BRIEFING!
- We are then taking the backroads / SH16 up to Wellsford
- Up to Maungatoroto, Dargaville and the WAIPOUA FOREST (can stop to see the giant Kauri tree TANE MAHUTA if need be).
- Stopping at Opononi for lunch (awesome view of the harbor while you eat)
- Boarding the Vehicle Ferry at Rawene across to Kohukohu
- Rejoin SH1 and 'carve' the Maungamuka Gorge through to Kaitaia
- Time permitting and sore bums, could go out to Ahipara for a looksee etc..
- Finish up for the first day @ Waipapakauri Ramp, Ninety Mile Beach Park. This is were we will be based for the two night stay.
They have cabins and tent sites. (See below for booking info)
Sunday 31st Jan
Two options available here:
1. Corner carving junkies
We will be doing a rough figure of eight route to maximize the Maungamukas! Ride down the west side via Ahipara and Broadwood and out to the Maungamukas again then over to the East Coast and back via Waimate North and the gorge again. (Once you ride the 'mukas you will want to do it again and again, believe me!) Two doses of the 'mukas in one day!
Optional
Drop into the Mangonui Fish Shop for gorgeous Fish n' Chups for lunch.
OR
2. Touring to the Cape
For those who have not been up to the cape, take the opportunity to ride to the northernmost end of New Zealand, you cant go any further than the lighthouse! You can see where the Tasman Sea meets the Pacific Ocean, on a clear day you can also see the Three Kings Islands.
NOTE: The last 18kms or so to the Lighthouse IS IN GRAVEL! They are doing extensive road works up there to put it all into tarseal (due to be finished in a couple of years) but its still very rideable.
Optional
If you do not wish to ride in gravel you can go as far as Waitiki Landing for a cuppa or lunch.
On return, drop in at Houhora Heads for an icecream and then stop off at Awanui @ the Ancient Kauri Kingdom (awesome walk through staircase inside a Kauri tree) www.ancientkauri.co.nz
Then:
Both groups then make their way back to Ninety Mile Beach Park for a drink or 5 and then settle in for BBQ dinner (or a Lamb on the Spit Smorgasbord - Not in operation at the moment but I have talked with the camp owners who are looking at bringing this back in time for our stay, fingers crossed...)
Monday 1st Feb
- Depart Waipapakauri Ramp travelling the beautiful and picturesque East Coast down through Taipa, Coopers Beach, Cable Bay
- Continue on south via Matauri Bay and Kerikeri
- Over to Paihia for a late breakfast
- Rejoin SH1 at Kawakawa down to Whangarei
- Can go either way at Wellsford (SH1 or SH16) but would recommend SH16 due to Long weekend traffic.....
- Fin.
Optional
BBQ and Swim at our place in Albany once we get back into Auckland.
IMPORTANT STUFF - Please Read
1. This will be a MEDIUM PACED RIDE (open road cruising .... not warp speed, it IS a tour...) Open to all types of bikes.
If you intend on joining us, you must be able to ride at open road speeds competently. Learner riders, sorry this ride is NOT for you.
Please ensure your bike is roadworthy and capable of completing the (approx) 1500kms we will be doing over the 3 days.
2. People are welcome to join us for half a day or for the full 3 days, whatever suits your schedule (as long as you can abide by Rule #1)
3. I will not be responsible for anyone's actions to, from and during the tour. You will be responsible for yourself.
4. You are responsible for your own bookings, we are all grown adults here (well some of us are...)
Book your accommodation for the 30th and 31st Jan with the Top Ten Ninety Mile Holiday Park or ring them on 0800-367-719. Most of the cabins can accommodate up to 4 people*. First in first served.........
*On a budget, want to save money? Why not get a cabin and share it with a few people to get costs down?
We will be only a five minute walk away from Ninety Mile Beach, so pack your togs and sandshoes!
5. Usually the long weekend up north is fine, very HOT weather...We will be going regardless of the weather.....(unless tropical cyclone
)
6. Food and drinks can be purchased at the accommodation premises or take a trip to Kaitaia for supplies (approx 15mins ride from accommodation)
7. Please register your attendance HERE. It would be nice to get a overall picture of numbers attending, Thanks.
8. Google Maps on where we are going, complete with fuel stations and food stops;
Day 1 Map
Day 2 Map
Day 3 Map
Here is a report and another from one of our previous Northern Exposure Tours..... so you can see what your getting yourself into...
Roll on the long weekend!
Reply With Quote
For the record Qkkid was in my bed, not the other way round
Originally Posted by Yow Ling
I could stay on that bit of road all day
Only speedsters get tickets
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