Hello from So Cal (ndwnd)

[ndwnd]

Hello KiwiBikers,
My wife and I are on our way to our 1st trip to NZ and have 3 days in Auckland (Feb 10, 11 & 12) before we fly back to the US. I decided the best way to spend the time would be to rent a bike and take an overnight ride. I did some research (mostly Peter Mitchell's Great Escapes) and decided to head North and stay in Pahia. Nadroj on the STowners club site has been very helpful (thanks) and suggested that I register here. Would anyone advise making the trip N via SH12 to Rawene then going east to Pahia on the 1st day? Thanks for your ideas.

[Racer X]

Hello KiwiBikers,
My wife and I are on our way to our 1st trip to NZ and have 3 days in Auckland (Feb 10, 11 & 12) before we fly back to the US. I decided the best way to spend the time would be to rent a bike and take an overnight ride. I did some research (mostly Peter Mitchell's Great Escapes) and decided to head North and stay in Pahia. Nadroj on the STowners club site has been very helpful (thanks) and suggested that I register here. Would anyone advise making the trip N via SH12 to Rawene then going east to Pahia on the 1st day? Thanks for your ideas.

Hey mate, you will love the north round this time of year, especially round the Bay of Islands.

When taking SH12 the last 1/3 is going to be on very windy roads but will be a great ride, with nice scenery. Make sure you do the ride in daylight and you'll enjoy.

Going from Russel to Paihia (correct spelling) you need to catch a ferry for about $20.

Have fun!

[rachprice]

unfortunate you only have a few days....sounds like a good way to spend them though!

[nadroj]

Bit of a bugger about the dates as it's my first week back after 3 weeks off - I could have come for a ride!

[DarkLord]

Welcome. I love So Cal. Have an awesome time riding around here.

[ndwnd]

looks all good, thanks for the comments. will I have time to ferry from Paihia to Russel? So many excellent roads, so little time... just have to come back is all. now to focus on riding on the left.

[Skunk Control]

Welcome to KB. Hopefully your next trip over here will head south of Auckland

[Racer X]

looks all good, thanks for the comments. will I have time to ferry from Paihia to Russel? So many excellent roads, so little time... just have to come back is all. now to focus on riding on the left.

Well it's actually Opua to Okaito, and only takes about 5-10 min.

http://maps.google.co.nz/maps?f=q&so...=14&iwloc=addr

[Dean]

happy holidayys

[marty]

or you could just ride around the end of the harbour - it takes a fair bit longer, but it's WAY more fun

if you want to take a ferry ride, take the ferry to Waiheke Island for a latte and panini.

[alanzs]

I lived in LA up until a few years back. NZ is a great place, some awesome roads and your money is worth almost double here.
The roads you are looking into would be comparable to some on the way to the Rock Store; Mulholland, Trabuco Canyon, the 126, etc, but not as smoothly paved (in general). Many are 2 lane roads, lots of twisties, but not long distances to what you may be used to riding.

PM me if you have ANY questions. I am in Auckland.

[The Stranger:Me]

Hello KiwiBikers,
My wife and I are on our way to our 1st trip to NZ and have 3 days in Auckland (Feb 10, 11 & 12) before we fly back to the US. I decided the best way to spend the time would be to rent a bike and take an overnight ride. I did some research (mostly Peter Mitchell's Great Escapes) and decided to head North and stay in Pahia. Nadroj on the STowners club site has been very helpful (thanks) and suggested that I register here. Would anyone advise making the trip N via SH12 to Rawene then going east to Pahia on the 1st day? Thanks for your ideas.

Auckland - Rawene - Paihia is about 400km.
That is easy enough to do 12 is a bit boring until you hit Dargaville, but the Waipoua forest is good twisty road and lovely scenery - so I am told, it's usually only a blur to me.

If you like twistys and there is some pretty spectacular views also I would suggest you return via Russell and Old Russell rd.
Head from Paihia to Opua, catch the car ferry (about $5.00, no need for tie downs) to the other side (Okiato) then to Russell.
Double back to Orongo Bay and take the Old Russell Rd to Whakapara then down 1 to Whangarei then back to Wellsford via SH1 (and maybe paparoa rd) then down SH16 to Auckland.

[ndwnd]

Thanks to all for your help. Stranger, I dont have PM reply privilages. Your offer's awsome but we've made arrangements, THANKS!

[ndwnd]

Auckland - Rawene - Paihia is about 400km.
That is easy enough to do 12 is a bit boring until you hit Dargaville, but the Waipoua forest is good twisty road and lovely scenery - so I am told, it's usually only a blur to me.

If you like twistys and there is some pretty spectacular views also I would suggest you return via Russell and Old Russell rd.
Head from Paihia to Opua, catch the car ferry (about $5.00, no need for tie downs) to the other side (Okiato) then to Russell.
Double back to Orongo Bay and take the Old Russell Rd to Whakapara then down 1 to Whangarei then back to Wellsford via SH1 (and maybe paparoa rd) then down SH16 to Auckland.

The our time in NZ was great and the highlight was the ride. We pretty much took the route described by Stranger. Had some rain on the first day through Waipoua forest (explains why the forest I imagine) but not enough to put on rain gear. The roads and markings were good and no surprises. I told my friend here that it was like riding in Californias Napa Valley, turning a corner and riding the road to Hana (Maui) and then anothr corner and you were riding on California 1 (Coast Hwy) with friendly people wherever you stopped (if you saw people). We loved it. We are already checking our calendars for about 2 years from now and will arrange about 2 weeks of rding to start somewhere in the South Island and work our way North. Thanks again for all the great advise.