Northland roads - best riding in the North Island, maybe all NZ?

MD · 28th October 2014, 12:33

I thought the South Island had the best riding roads ever, but I have to reconsider. With a few lads we rode from Welly to Cape Reinga over the Labour Weekend.

Paraparas north from Wanganui are always a highlight. North from Taumaranui the same. Hammy to Dorkland the pits! Nuf said.

We had a buddy with a beach house at Ngunguru so that was our base and saved on accommodation costs. Yeah I had no bloody idea where Ngunguru was either. Above Whangarei and way out to the east.

So Saturday we did the exploring up to Russell, ferry to Pahia and late in the afternoon the stupid random decision was made to take one of our group to the Cape because he had never been there. Great plan, silly timing.

From breathtakingly beautiful bay to bay, sweepers galore, tight twisties that never end and good quality seal, it just goes on, and on, and on until you are exhausted from over dosing on cornering highs.
Must email a picture of a straight road to the local Mayors with the caption- build one of these bastards so we can catch our breath!

But seriously the road conditions for riding are mind blowingly good. It was 7.15pm as the sun was setting at Cape Reinga when we realised we were facing 4 hours of cornering in darkness on unknown roads to get home. We had left in light riding gear, expecting Saturday to be a gentle local ride only. It might be called the winterless north but I can tell you this labour weekend it was sunny but a cold wind blew. Once the sun dropped temps plummeted. When we got to the beach house I ran in, poured a Drambuie into a wine glass and took it with me into a hot shower to get my blood flowing from the inside and outside. Worked a treat.

Monday return trip was a bugger though. Holiday traffic, ten thousand cops on the roads, ever man and his dog who owned a boat or caravan took them out on the roads just to piss us off. And the rain. Lots of rain. Close on 11 hours of riding to get home soaking wet and miserable. Worth it for the three earlier days of motorcycling bliss under sunny skies.

Oh yeah and what's with making us pay $2.20 to ride a 5 minute section of boring motorway? Weirdos up north.

**Akzle** · 28th October 2014, 13:26

Originally Posted by MD

Oh yeah and what's with making us pay $2.20 to ride a 5 minute section of boring motorway? Weirdos up north.

you were on the wrong road... that's aucklander tax.

**awa355** · 28th October 2014, 14:14

There are fantastic roads everywhere, include the norf. Also a lot of roads that were fantastic, but are now breaking down due to lack of maintanance. Next decent road bike, and I will spend a week up there just meandering around.

Glad you had a great time, and the 11 hours of wet and cold riding was just part of the total experience.

Miserable riding weather seems to knit a riding group together. Everyone giving the others shit about their discomfort etc.

**CRM** · 28th October 2014, 15:42

Yeah

. They are certainly up there with the best anyway. I live in the North but actually don't get to ride them that often because most of my trips go south, but that Russell ride is great, and of course the big loop back down through the Kauri Forest and Kai Iwi lakes.

**slofox** · 28th October 2014, 16:07

Originally Posted by MD

Hammy to Dorkland the pits! Nuf said.

Look for Highway 22 mate next time...nobody round here uses SH1 unless in emergencies.
.

**george formby** · 28th October 2014, 16:08

We wuz out on the Tutukaka coast recently doing a riding course. Another surreal bit of tarmac, from Ngunguru out to Hikurangi. Doubly surreal training on it.

I always come home buzzing from the riding we have up here. Tar & gravel.

I know what you mean about getting tired by corners OP. A recent ride down the twin bridges road & back via the Old Russell road had me mentally knackered. Summit like 600 corners from the SH1 turn off to the ferry.

**slofox** · 28th October 2014, 16:15

When I lived up there I used to like the route through Waimate Norf. Waimate Norf Road I think...

MD · 28th October 2014, 19:35

Originally Posted by slofox

Look for Highway 22 mate next time...nobody round here uses SH1 unless in emergencies.
.

Agreed. I had parents in Hamilton to visit so SH1 was it and time was pressing. Got a bit lost leaving and returning into northern Hamilton. Folks were near St Andrews golf course but the roads and expressways confused me. It all seemed new and unfamiliar to me now? Or maybe I'm just easily lost as I get older.

**mulletman** · 30th October 2014, 19:09

Originally Posted by MD

Monday return trip was a bugger though. Holiday traffic, ten thousand cops on the roads, ever man and his dog who owned a boat or caravan took them out on the roads just to piss us off.

This is why the South Island takes it...

**swbarnett** · 30th October 2014, 20:21

Originally Posted by slofox

Look for Highway 22 mate next time...nobody round here uses SH1 unless in emergencies.

Exactly. And follow that up with a side trip to Hunua and up to Clevedon and Whitford.

**slofox** · 30th October 2014, 21:02

Originally Posted by swbarnett

Exactly. And follow that up with a side trip to Hunua and up to Clevedon and Whitford.

That's on my to do list for this summer.

**swbarnett** · 31st October 2014, 06:10

Originally Posted by slofox

That's on my to do list for this summer.

If I get fed up with lane-splitting I'll sometimes peel off the motorway at Manurewa and head this way. Not a bad route for a daily commute and only adds 20km to what is already a 60km trip.