It's that time of the year again, no sooner we get through Christmas then it's 2008!! Qkchk and Qkkid have decided to announce the Northern Exposure Tour '08 for the Auckland Anniversary Weekend. (26th - 28th Jan 08)
What do we plan to do???
Ride from Auckland up the West Coast via Waipoua Forest and Opononi to Kaitaia then to the Lighthouse @ Cape Reinga and then back down the East Coast via the Bay of Islands over 3 days. (With a bit of exploring in between)
The Tour Itineray:
Saturday 26th Jan
- Meet @ Westgate Shell, 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.
- Take the Vehicle Ferry from Rawene across to Kohukohu
- Rejoin SH1 and shoot throught the Maungamuka Gorge to Kaitaia (Voted one of the best bit of twistes in NZ)
- 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 Park over a couple of cold ones. 
Sunday 27th Jan
- Head North along SH1N past Houhora, Te Kao, to Waitiki Landing for Breakfast. (Very fast and beautiful roads)
- If you want to see the Lighthouse (it is worth it) continue the ride up to the North Cape Lighthouse however the last 20kms IS IN GRAVEL! If you do not wish to ride in gravel you can stay @ Waitiki Landing for a cuppa or an extended brunch...
- 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 (Wagener Museum for a icecream) and head back down to Awanui to drop into the Ancient Kauri Kingdom (awesome walkthrough staircase inside a Kauri tree) www.ancientkauri.co.nz
- Time permitting we could do a couple of more rides ... options open...maybe the Fish Shop @ Mangonui for a 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 (Just ask Qkkid what he thinks of it!
)
Monday 28th
- 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
- 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 through Kaeo, Kerikeri, take a slight detour through Haruru Falls to Paihia, then past Opua to Kawakawa.
- Rejoin SH1 to Whangarei then take the Waipu turnoff...... Waipu Cove, Mangawai back to Wellsford.
- Crusie from Wellsford down for a Cuppa Tea @ The Maha's in Walkworth
- Can go either way (SH1 or SH16 via Woodcocks Rd) but would recommend SH16 due to Long weekend traffic and WOODCOCKS Road 
.....
- Fin.
This will be a MEDIUM PACED RIDE (open road crusing @ 120 if the coast is clear.... not warp speed, it IS touring not a trackday or the Coro Loop...
) I have included a map so you can roughly see where the ride will be going.
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? Tent sites are available and are dirt cheap! When you book, can you please also make a booking for the Lamb on the Spit Smorgasboard (you wont regret it!) You can have book your accomodation for the 26th and 27th Jan with http://www.ninetymilebeach.co.nz/ or ring them on 0800-367-719. Me and Qkkid haven't booked yet but will be Mid-Nov.
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.
For those who do not know us you can read about previous road trips we have conducted - Northland Exposure Tour '06 and write up HERE and KB Gathering Queens Birthday '07
Northern Exposure Tour Jan '08
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, honest I only snore after I have been drinking.
For the record Qkkid was in my bed, not the other way round
Originally Posted by Yow Ling
)!
I still remember the days when it was 'just a chippie' with prices to suit. Mmmmm. Breakfast of fresh cooked snapper. Mmmmm. Last time we were there, they wanted something like $25kg for snapper, then the same again to cook it fresh! Fcuk THAT!
UKMC #64
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