Northern Exposure Tour 2009
It's that time of the year again, no sooner we get through Christmas then it's 2009!! Qkchk and Qkkid have decided to announce the Northern Exposure Tour '09 for the Auckland Anniversary Weekend. (24th - 26th Jan 09) This year we will be based in Russell, in the Bay of Islands.
What do we plan to do???
Ride from Auckland up the West Coast via Waipoua Forest and Opononi. Ride through Kaikohe to Paihia and then catch the Vehicle ferry to Russell where we will be based over the 3 days. A trip up to Kaitaia via the famous Maungamuka’s with a couple of alternate roads, with a option of riding to the Cape Reinga Lighthouse then back down the East coast with a fish ‘n chip stop then back to Russell. Then back home via the Old Russell Road and Paparoa Road to dodge the holiday traffic home.
The Tour Itineray:
Saturday 24th Jan
- Meet @ Westgate Shell 0800 departing at 0830, head up SH16 to Wellsford
- Join SH1 to Brynderwyn take Maungaturoto turn off along SH12
- Pass through Dargaville, WAIPOUA FOREST (Can stop to see giant Kauri tree if need be) and Opononi.
- Lunch can be at either Dargaville or Opononi depends on time.
- Head back towards Kaikohe then connect back onto SH1 down to Puketona Juction
- Take SH13 to Paihia then on to Opua
- Catch the Vehicular Ferry to Russell
- Finish the day staying at the Russell Top Ten over a couple of cold ones.
* There is a bottle shop and plenty of takeaways available while in Russell including 2x Four Square supermarkets.
Sunday 25th Jan
- Catch the ferry back over to Opua, head North through Paihia along SH13 connecting to SH1 then riding the Maungamuka’s (voted as one of the best stretches of road in NZ for bikes) up to Kaitaia.
We have quite a few options here:
- Can either ride out to Ahipara (at the bottom of the Ninety Mile Beach) and carry though to Broadwood and re-ride the Maungamukas again
- and Ride North to Houhora for an icecream and then drop in to the Ancient Kauri Kingdom (awesome walkthrough staircase inside a Kauri tree) www.ancientkauri.co.nz
- Or carry on further North to ride up to the Lighthouse
* For those who want to ride to the lighthouse (it is worth it) continue the ride up to the North Cape Lighthouse however the last 18kms or so 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). If you do not wish to ride in gravel you can go as far as @ Waitiki Landing for a cuppa or lunch. 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.
- Then we head back down the East Coast, stopping in at the Mangonui Fish Shop for some Fish ‘n Chips (nice spot for a stop) then carry on back to Russell.
Monday 26th Jan
- Depart Russell and head south. We can either catch the ferry over to Opua OR take the ‘interesting’ Old Russell Road back out to SH1. (Decide on the day – Weather and Rider Capability as this can be a Dangerous road due to idiots in cages!)
- Option of riding through Oakleigh/ Paparoa Road through to Brynderwyn and Wellsford (hopefully missing most of the traffic etc..)
- Can go either way (SH1 or SH16 via Woodcocks Rd) but would recommend SH16 due to Long weekend traffic and WOODCOCKS Road .....
- Fin.
PLEASE READ!
If you are unsure of where or what we are doing, don’t panic as I will be briefing the riders at the start of each day with the options available!
In general the long weekend up north is fine weather, so lets hope nothing changes... The ride will be going ahead rain or shine.....
Please show that you are attending by registering HERE.
IMPORTANT NOTICE:
You will be responsible for your own cabin or tent site bookings, if you are on a budget why not get a bigger cabin and share the costs with others? When you book, can you please let them know that you are part of Kiwibiker or refer Qkchk and hopefully they will keep us in the same area.
You can book your accomodation for the 24th and 26th Jan with http://www.russelltop10.co.nz or ring them on 0800-148-671.
I have a price list from them but will scan it when I get home (Im still in Russell at the campsite!)
Example of prices:
3 Single bunks in a basic cabin = $80per night (So between 3 of you its only $26.50 per night each)
1 Double + 3 single bunks in a Basic cabin = $95per night
1 Double + 2 Single bunks in a Kitchen Cabin = $110 per night.
This is only a guide to prices.
About the Accommodation Site:
The facilities are great here, we stay every Xmas/New Year holidays so can vouch for a great site! There are hot showers for 50cents for 6mins. A full kitchen area with Microwave ovens and a kiddies playground and its only a short walk into the mian heart of Russell and the wharf.
Pic 1. Opua - Russell Vehicular Ferry
Pic 2. View from the Campsite Toilet and Showers
Pic 3. Example of a Kitchen Cabin
Pic 4. Qkkid checking up on Kiwibiker during our camping stay
*Disclaimer: I will not be held responsible for any other person actions to the ride, during the ride and after the ride. Anyone found to be endangering other riders will be told to leave. You are responsible for your own actions! All people attending the NET'09 do so at their own risk.
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For the record Qkkid was in my bed, not the other way round
Originally Posted by Yow Ling
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