Auckland Anniversary Weekend, Anyone want to head North for a tour?

[Waihou Thumper]

The tides are right, the roads will be dry...
I am looking at heading North. Poutu Point, either North or south depending on tides. Houhora, the same....(will investigate) and Ahipara - Te Paki of course.....
The ride north might involve back roads Wellsford North (gotta get to Poutu at low tide..) I have a good track of the North, there will be a lot of metal roads, I mean A LOT!
Camping saturday night at Spirits Bay or similar...(Maybe Ahipara, for a run up the beach next A.M)
Sunday, either ride SHWY 1 to Houhora, hit the beach, or do a run to Kaiataia, fuel up and do a load of back roads south.....
The Kauri Coast is a fantastic place to play.....East and West of Dargaville has some little known roads that you can easily hit good highway speeds and see the dust rise in your rear vision mirrors...
I plan on leaving early Saturday, travelling North, staying Sat night somewhere, wherever we decide....Sunday, heading North, the South, and home via as much metal as we can find.....This might include Kaipara Heads rd, some roads near Peak Rd, just to get us back to the Akl areas....etc.
So.....whaddiya' think?
This will be two big days.......Riding, Maybe 700Km approx, riding, the odd rest break and photo op, a really lovely night under the stars, cool metal roads and adventure! That's what we are here for right?

[.chris]

Would be keen to join you but I already have stuff on that weekend.

[Waihou Thumper]

And I thought you might be the first to sign up.... Never mind bud...

[.chris]

Yeah I am keen as to get out for some trips at the moment, just have the bike serviced and tuned.
And as it turns out my throttle sensor was out of alignment so I was only getting it 90% open at best, so I have another 10% to play with now which means I need to get out of the city so I can test it.

Might try for a mid week excursion up north after Waitangi weekend I think.

[Waihou Thumper]

I was only getting it 90% open at best, so I have another 10% to play with now which means I need to get out of the city so I can test it.

Didn't they tell ya, the 690's are governed from new....Once your probation finishes after 12 months you get it removed and can then be a big boy.... It is a bit like getting your training wheels removed from your bicycle...

[Waihou Thumper]

The tentative route thus far will be..
Head North SHWY 16, include Peak Rd and points East, i.e the back roads of Wellsford and some great rally rods towards Dargaville. The low tide at Pouto Point is 1333 Saturday, that leaves plenty of time to ride the beach from south to north, snap some shots of the wooden lighthouse (if we can find it or ride up to it)
Head further north and camp out at either Spirits Bay or Tapotupotu.
Next day, head south and ride Houhora, low tide there is 1148, this means a meander around the West, the road is directly opposite the Houhora turn off....Head to the beach and ride through on some metal roads. Low tide at Ahipara is 1354, so either could be ridden if you want to.
The rest of the day, head south, loads of metal roads. Camping out somewhere, maybe near Kaikohe or further afield, depending on Monkey Butt...
Monday, head south, take in some rural scenery. (note to self - pay tolls online within timeframe)
Flexible schedule as long as it involves riding, getting home before sun-up....
I am looking at cheap camping, DoC sites are at the most $7.10 for the night.
If anyone is interested, just holla!

[Qkchk:Me]

A group of us will be heading up to the Cape (via the blacktop) and will be based out of the Ninety Mile Beach Holiday Park. We plan on having a BBQ dinner on the Sunday - welcome to come and bring a steak or two and join us!

More details on what we are up to HERE

[Waihou Thumper]

A group of us will be heading up to the Cape (via the blacktop) and will be based out of the Ninety Mile Beach Holiday Park. We plan on having a BBQ dinner on the Sunday - welcome to come and bring a steak or two and join us!

More details on what we are up to HERE

Thanks for offer.. I will be North on the Saturday, and I plan on heading South Sunday, as far as kipping the night? Who knows where.. Aah, the beauty of being on an Adventure..

[Waihou Thumper]

A severe tropical cyclone roaring down the Pacific towards New Zealand is expected to approach Cape Reinga early on Saturday, with the centre of the low-pressure system tracking over Northland later in the weekend.
Cyclone Wilma formed east of Samoa last Saturday, and the Fiji Meteorological Service predict it will now reach category 4 strength, considered "very severe" with winds gusting between 225kmh and 279kmh, over the next day.
The cyclone, with sustained winds at 170kmh and gusts estimated well over 210kmh, yesterday passed over Tonga, causing damage to resorts and crops.
But like last week's two cyclones Zelia and Vania, the strength of Wilma is expected to decrease by the time it reaches New Zealand.


Still going.... Looking at Metvuw, looks as though it will pass to the East anyway by the time I get up there. The rest of the long weekend looks clear, and more clear...

[Night Falcon]

And as it turns out my throttle sensor was out of alignment so I was only getting it 90% open at best, so I have another 10% to play with now which means I need to get out of the city so I can test it. :shifty

must of bin the heat on the fishers mate....melted it out of alignment

Would love to do this trip but heading down south for molesworth sometime next month so savin the pennies....far north is on my bucket list though!

[MikeJ]

As an alternative to camping near Kaikohe l would suggest traveling via gravel roads (Ngapipito Rd, then Waikare Rd, then the Russell Whakapara Rd to camp overnight here... http://www.thefarm.co.nz The Farm would have to be the most bike friendly place in Northland.
Via seal its a nice ride too using the Russell car ferry.
The Russell Whakapara Rd is a particularly good tight and twisty gravel road thru native bush.
Returning south via the Russell Coast Rd would bring you out 20 mins ride north of Whangarei .