Northland Ride/Stayover Labour Weekend (21-23rd Oct) Poll

**Qkchk:Me** · 21st July 2006, 17:31

Well it's about time to get the wheels rollin for the upcoming Labour Weekend.(21st - 23rd October 2006)
Last year, BLACKYOSHI1000 organized a ride and stayover up at Opononi (yes, the famous Opo ride

) on the same long weekend. So here are some ideas of what we could make happen.....

PLEASE READ THE BELOW OPTIONS BEFORE VOTING!

Option 1.

Opo the Bikey
Same ride as the famous Opo ride. Leave Aucks Sat morning, meet Norfland crew (if they are interested...) @ Paparoa. Do a bit of backroads (Custards corner, T Straight etc...

) up through the Waipoura Forest, stay the night at Opononi.

Return to Auck on Sunday or Monday.

Option 2.

The Russell Romp
Leave Aucks Sat morning, meet Norfland crew @ Wellsford (or whatever) head North through some of their beautiful backroads (Cemetery Road, Tiger Road etc..) then turn onto Old Russell Road. (This road is one of the most twisted bit of roads around, second to the Maungamuka Gorge) Stay the night up at Russell, then either go back via Old Russell Road or over the Vehicular Ferry (for those with hangovers) maybe some more of the Northland roads on the way home.....

Option 3.

The Twosome
Go the whole hogs and combine both options (1 and 2). Stay the Sat night @ Opononi and stay the Sunday night @ Russell - Remember Monday is a public holiday, it's the long weekend! This could work well with people who have to work Sat and the same for people who cant stay out over the whole weekend. Very flexible option.

Option 4.

The Northern Exposure Tour

I organized this ride for the Auckland Anniversary weekend (End of Jan). You can see here for a bit more detail:
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...ad.php?t=23974
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...ad.php?t=24032
But in a nutshell, we make our way up through the Waipoura Forest/Opononi then catch the Vehicular Ferry @ Rawene across to Kohukohu. The next stretch of road from Kohukohu is just superb. My fav bit of road in Northland. Its was voted No.1 on the 'Best bit of road' thread - the Maungamuka Gorge.

20mins or so (depends how hard you go) of 100% corners. We then arrive in Kaitaia and stay the night at Waipapakauri Ramp (on the Ninety Mile Beach). Next day we head North to the top of NZ to the lighthouse (last 20kms gravel...) and some other roads on the way back (200+kms round trip). Have a awesome smorgasboard for tea - Lamb on the spit. Top grub. Monday head back via Maungamuka Gorge OR East coast then maybe through to Kaikohe/Twin Bridges etc.... We can make up the route once we have and idea what people would prefer to do.

TAKE NOTE***********
This is ONLY in the basic stage of organizing. I haven't set anything in concrete as I am only after your thoughts.... Accommodation could be subject to availability, so the faster we all agree, the better chance of getting what we want. (Russell books up pretty fast etc..) All KBers are invited - this isnt exclusive to Auck and Norfland. Would be good to meet some others from the South.

Let's hear your input please...................

**RiderInBlack** · 21st July 2006, 18:40

No. 4 for me. Love doing the Forest/Opo/Rawene/Ferry/Kohukohu/Maungamuka's and Norf. Waipapakauri Pub is cool. The Northland MC hold their Treble-T Poker Run there. At Waitiki Landing (last fuel stop 22km before The Cape) there a cool little food place so Nanas that don't like Metal Rds can wait happy there while the Real riders go ta The Cape and back.
Not doing The Grand Challenge this year, so will need some riding/drinking therapy Labour weekend.

PS: I hope "Northern Exposer" doesn't mean that Jazzer will be back taking his clothes off

**Korumba** · 21st July 2006, 18:58

Best part is the Opo Hotel has changed owners and the new ones don’t know didly shit about last time...well except for the different smile on the dolphins face. The locals still haven’t worked that one out!

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...ad.php?t=18685

**Rhino** · 21st July 2006, 19:02

Please count us both in for another Opo ride. I'm happy to be TEC on the 'Wing again.

**Scorpygirl** · 21st July 2006, 19:16

Originally Posted by Korumba

Best part is the Opo Hotel has changed owners and the new ones don’t know didly shit about last time...well except for the different smile on the dolphins face. The locals still haven’t worked that one out!

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...ad.php?t=18685

I have no idea who took those photos....

Please leave the dolphin alone!!!

I promise I will be good this time!!!

**Colapop** · 21st July 2006, 20:11

Isn't there supposed to be a North invades South tour or summat that weekend?

**RiderInBlack** · 21st July 2006, 21:01

Originally Posted by Colapop

Isn't there supposed to be a North invades South tour or summat that weekend?

So there is, but if I could afford a South Is trip in October I would be able ta do the GC this year. I am sure there are enough of us here that who would want ta do this ride without effecting the other one (considering the other ride is at the other end of NZ).

**Maha** · 21st July 2006, 21:02

The Russell Romp sounds like the go if we are avaliable that weekend, will be basically doing it 2moro, all really good option's. We may be heading to Napier that weekend but dunno at this point, would rather play on the bike....

**Colapop** · 21st July 2006, 21:10

No doubt there would be enough for this ride - and it'd be a good short (cheaper) trip for quite a few up that way. Just reminding peeps of the other one.

**Qkchk:Me** · 21st July 2006, 22:26

Originally Posted by Colapop

Isn't there supposed to be a North invades South tour or summat that weekend?

It doesn't bother me if people go off on different rides, Im just letting them know that there is a choice........... Im not holding my breath for the sake of others 'just talking' about it.

I do more than talk, I ride. You can see by how many people turn up to my ATNR's*. However, if the other event doesnt take off, you are very welcome to join us. (Subject to accommodation availability)

BTW: Im sure there won't be many Aucklanders, let alone Norfland Crew wanting to travel across the ditch as there would be for a local ride. But hey, Im only giving people a choice - it's up to them.

*Auckland Thursday Night Ride

**Qkchk:Me** · 21st July 2006, 22:51

Originally Posted by Korumba

Best part is the Opo Hotel has changed owners and the new ones don’t know didly shit about last time...well except for the different smile on the dolphins face. The locals still haven’t worked that one out!

I think that dolphin was scarred for life.......

Couple more piccys from last years fracas in Opononi...........

**wraith** · 22nd July 2006, 12:21

i wont miss this one.....count me in ,which ever ride you decide...
if you need help with anything just pm me....

**ducatijim** · 22nd July 2006, 13:04

Well, fancy that...I had a group from down Taupo way up there last Labor w-end and didn't c any of you! You'all must be fast! I am planning it again this L/W....well I was, now maybe it would make good sense to join up with this ride eh? We stayed Friday nite in H-ville, Grand pub, Saturday did Dargaville,Waipoua,Rawene ferry,MANGAMUKA!!!!, stayed @ Maunganui pub; then down thru Kaikohe,twin bridges,Tangowahine,Mangatapere and on down thru Mangawai.......had an AWESOME time. Would bring 6-8 persons, will keep an eye on this one. B good to meet up with some of you (??).

**Qkchk:Me** · 22nd July 2006, 18:38

Originally Posted by ninjaneil

i wont miss this one.....count me in ,which ever ride you decide...
if you need help with anything just pm me....

Thanks for the offer Neil, good to know at least one of the 'regulars' will be present

**Qkchk:Me** · 22nd July 2006, 18:46

Originally Posted by ducatijim

Well, fancy that...I had a group from down Taupo way up there last Labor w-end and didn't c any of you! You'all must be fast! I am planning it again this L/W....well I was, now maybe it would make good sense to join up with this ride eh? We stayed Friday nite in H-ville, Grand pub, Saturday did Dargaville,Waipoua,Rawene ferry,MANGAMUKA!!!!, stayed @ Maunganui pub; then down thru Kaikohe,twin bridges,Tangowahine,Mangatapere and on down thru Mangawai.......had an AWESOME time. Would bring 6-8 persons, will keep an eye on this one. B good to meet up with some of you (??).

Thinking back now, I the ride may have been on the weekend of the 16th Oct (honestly, I though it was over the Labour weekend - must be getting old...) I just looked back at the old write up and thats the first 'aftermath' comments.

It's always good to hear others talking and taking a similar route - more people to back me up

As you would know ducatijim, those roads from Dargaville up through Waipoura forest, Opononi and through to Rawene, then through the

bit of road - Maungamuka, are worth the trip up north to explore.