About a month ago I put up a poll to see who/what people wanted to do for a Northern Ride during Labor Weekend. The results came in for the 'Northern Exposure 3-day trip up to the Lighthouse (Cape Reinga) and back'. Below are the details of what/when/how things are goin to go (Im open to suggestions tho...) and how you go can go ahead and book yourself some accomodation. There is the option of bringing a tent. Remember, first in first served!![]()
A 3 day tour during Labor Weekend - 21st, 22nd and 23rd Oct '06
Up the West Coast to the Lighthouse @ Cape Reinga and back down the East Coast.
The Tour includeds:
Saturday 21st Oct
- Meet @ Westgate Shell, head up SH16 via Peak Road to Wellsford
- Join SH1 to Brynderwyn take Maungaturoto turn off along SH12 (Same route taken as in the famous Opononi ride)
- Meet up with the Norfland crew, take some back roads to Dargaville
- Pass through Dargaville, WAIPOUA FOREST (can stop to see giant Kauri tree if need be), and Opononi.
- Take the Vehicle Ferry from Rawene across to Kohukohu. PRICING/INFO HERE
- Rejoin SH1 and "BLAST" throught the Maungamuka Gorge (Voted No.1 in the KB 'Greatest bit of road' survey) 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 Top 10. We are staying here for two days in cabins (OR TENTS IF YA TOO SLOW IN BOOKING YA ACCOMODATION!).......
Sunday 22nd Oct
- Head up North along SH1 past Houhora, Te Kao, Waitiki Landing up to the North Cape Lighthouse
- Last 20kms IS IN GRAVEL! If you do not wish to ride in gravel you can stay @ Waitiki Landing for a cuppa, they have a nice takeaway/cafe there (awesome breakfasts!)...
- For those who have not been up to the cape, take the oppotunity to ride to the 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.
- On return we drop in @ Houhora (for a icecream?) and head back down to Awanui to drop into the Ancient Kauri Kingdom (awesome walkthrough staircase inside a Kauri tree)
- Time permitting we could do a couple of more rides ... options open...maybe the Mangonui Fish Shop for late lunch...
- Ride back to Ninety Mile Beach Park for a drink or 5 and then settle in for a Lamb on the Spit Smorgasboard (YUMMY, just ask QKKID what he thinks of it!)
Monday 23rd Oct
- Depart Waipapakauri Ramp head south on SH1 turn off @ Awanui onto SH10
- Travel the Beautiful and picturesque East Coast down through Taipa, Coopers Beach, Cable Bay
- Could stop in @ Mangonui Fish Shop for the best seafood and Fish 'n Chips in the area (We could do this on Sat or Sun instead if time permits....)
- Continue to head south via East Coast's beautifuls roads including Matauri Bay (Where the Rainbow Warrior rests) ending up @ Kerikeri for Breakfast.
- Take the backroads to link up with SH1 and procede to Kaikohe
- Backroads through Twin Bridges re-connecting to SH14, head back through Maugaturoto then onto SH1
- Can go either way (SH1 or SH16) but would recommend SH16 due to Long weekend traffic.....
- Fin.
This will be a MEDIUM PACED RIDE (open road crusing @ 120 if the coast is clear.... not warp speed, it IS a tikitour...) I have included a ruff map so you can see where we are going. (Green, first day/Pink, second day/Blue, third day.)
PLEASE NOTE*****You are responsible for your own bookings, we are all grown adults here (well some of us are...) I will not be doing any bookings for anyone!
We have booked our accomodation for the 21st and 22nd Oct with Ninety Mile Top Ten(they are right on the doorstep of Ninety Mile Beach) You can ring them on 0800-367-719. They do have quite a few cabins left. Details of what is avail follows:
"Basic cabin that will sleep five the cost is $60 per 2 persons per night and $14 for each extra person per night. We also have ensuite cabins that will sleep three in each cabin including 1 couple. They have 1 double bed and 1 single bed $75 per 2 persons and $14 per extra and the other cabin has 3 single beds $75 per 2 persons per night and $14 per extra".
We will have 3 extra beds in our cabin but will be charging $28pp/per night to spread the costs amongst us. (PM me if ya interested) And for those who dont want to blow too much $$$$'s Tent sites are $14 per person/night. Make sure that you put aside some $$'s for the Sunday night Lamb on the Spit Smorgasborad, that will be $25pp. Booking this with your accomodation is advisable as this dinner does get booked out. (You will see why - YUM!) There is also a bar there for those drinkies after the days ride.
In general the Labor Weekend up north is fine weather, so lets hope nothing changes... This ride is going ahead regardless of the weather.....
Once you have booked your accomodation or if you are riding part-way with us, please enter your name on the list of 'whos comin' you can FIND IT HERE. See you all on the Saturday!
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