North-n Z'g Z'g
Well following on from last weeks run to Gisborne and back, I decided to head up North.
gijoe's post partly spurred me on (see Cape Reinga on a spur)
Anyway on Tuesday 5th Dec at around midday I eventually got my arse into gear and hit the road, I took SH1 till Silverdale where I peeled off and made my way into Kaukapakapa and followed through to Wellsford where I jumped back onto SH1 kept it on SH1 till just after Te Hana where I turned right onto Mangawhai rd.
This led me through Mangawhai Heads and on into Waipu Cove and Waipu where I rejoined SH1 from there I hotfooted it into Whangarei, keeping to SH1 I got to Hikurangi well just past there and hit a left down Russel rd which took me down a very windy but superb road to end up at Helena Bay.
I sat there on the beach pouring over my map with a cancer stick stuck firmly between my lips and pondered my next move, should I carry on with my current route or seeing as time has no inclination of waiting on me and I've yet to find a place to bed down for the night!
So bugger-it I says to meself Paihia sounds like the ideal spot to hunker down for the night, decision made I proceed to take that that beauty of a little road back up to SH1, next time I'll follow that road all the way or perhaps on the way back. Race myself through to Kawakawa and on into Paihia after several enquiries I eventually find a resonable place to kip in.
Have a couple of beers and it's all over I'm in the sack real early.
Now when I left on Tuesday the weather was decidedly dodgy hence the late start, but Wednesday just brought 
now this is what it's all about!
First stop and I check Waitangi landing out 
head on up Puketona rd and join SH10 then turn right to go into Kerikeri but instead just before Kerikeri I hit a left and take Kapiro rd turns out it was'nt going anywhere of interest so rejoin SH10 a little further on I see a signpost advertising a tourist drive so I take a left turn into Matauri Bay rd, this little road turns out to be really good (shit the biking gods are smiling at me today) anyway I head off down to the bay itself have another cancer stick and carry on with the tourist drive. That sign needs to read motorcycles this way only! That drive takes you all the way into Whangaroa.
Now I'm beginning to think I gotta go and try that fish shop out in Mangonui, so it's back onto SH10 and head off for Mangonui but on the way I see a sign for Taupo Bay and think what the hell you're on leave and have time to burn so head on down, them biking gods must really like me, shit at this rate my tyres are gonna be shot before the trips up.
From there It's straight into Mangonui and fishn chips for lunch with a beer to wash it all down. I hate it when the day has been so good and there's still so many roads to cover and time just seems to be marching on, if only time could be stopped or altered!
"Sigh"
So Cape Reinga is now beconning and me as a mere mortal has to succumb.
P.S. gijoe I only managed to get my trusty steed to top out at 132km/h whilst on the gravel!
Anyway I took your lead and decided I don't need to walk all the way down there either, huh did I cop it from an old bag when I got back up! Shit I even offered to give her a lift......he he he he
Blasted my way down to Kaitaia turned right and headed to Ahipara, went through Manukau,Herekino,Awaroa,Pukemiro,Broadway,Orawau and into Kohukohu where I caught the ferry to Rawene, from there I shot down to Opononi where I found accommodation and had the worst steak I've ever had for $26 from the Opononi Hotel, there beer was cold but next time I'll just chew on some roadkill, prolly more nourishing!
Woke up Thursday morn and the weather reporter was talking about rain comming up from the South and not wanting to be caught in the middle of it again I decided time to head on home. That Waipoua Forest road is something else! Anyway I headed into Dargaville and then cut across to Whangarei from there heading South I was meant to turn right at Oakleigh and head on to Paparoa but got myself into a right tangle so retraced my steps and just took SH1 down only stopping at the Puhoi for lunch.
P.S. I gotta leave some of the roads unknown for next time!
Always do sober what you said you'd do drunk!
That'll teach you to keep your mouth shut!
Ernest Hemingway
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Originally Posted by WRT
Better you then me! I guess your tyres must bite better into the loose stuff at that speed! 
"Did Cape Reinga, rode down to the lighthouse and got gassed at by an ol'biddy!"
$26 for a steak that could be used as a motorcycle boot sounds a bit naff, thanks for the food review too!
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