Reports & Your Pictures

Cape to Cape 2010 Report

Taranaki Anniversay Weekend March 6th, 7th and 8th

An on time departure from the shop on Saturday morning saw 18 bikes, 25 people and the support wagon on their way to coffee and fuel at Te Kuiti and a light lunch at Experience BMW in Kingsland - thanks Henry! A nice run up Highway 16 brought most of us (Alan lost himself onto Highway 1 and we didn't see him until Kawakawa) to Wellsford for fuel and then we continued on to Kawakawa for a quick inspection of the Hundertwasser designed public toilets - worth a look. Dan had joined us at Waipu and Alan had found us so a short slippery run had us all at the Swiss Chalet Motel in Paihia around 6.00pm, 617km from NP.

Sunday dawned overcast but with promise of perfect weather for the 495km return loop to Cape Reinga. There were separate routes planned for the adventure boys and girls but first it was off to Kerikeri Bakehouse for a great breakfast and to pick up a picnic lunch to take up to the cape (thanks to Iain and Tina for taking the lunches in the wagon). A quick look at the Stone Store and a quiet (not much traffic) run along Highway 10 found us at Awanui for fuel. The whole group, a great mix of sports bikes, cruisers, adventure bikes and touring bikes, then ran down to 90 mile beach to see off the adventure group on their beach ride to Te Paki stream. The road group continued up Highway 1, negotiated a small amount of cobbly gravel, picked up the adventurers and we all rolled into the Cape Reinga carpark together.

Picnic lunch was taken in the car park - delightful ambience - as you are not allowed to take food beyond the new entrance arch that leads to the path down to the lighthouse. Heading south, a couple of km from the carpark, Miles lead us down to a nice little sheltered bay where Steve, Paul and Bart took to the water while the rest of us lazed under the pohutukawas.....could have stayed all day.

South down Highway 1 saw some great riding south of Kaitaia and my little Hyosung GT650 EFI was great fun through this curly stuff.... The road group turned right towards the Rawene ferry while the adventurers headed further on and then turned left for a loop of locked gates through the Puketi Forest Park....a little bit lost, a little bit of tipping over (Dave?) but still an enjoyable mini adventure. The rest of us got to the ferry 5 minutes after departure so we had a pleasant 55 minute wait for the next sailing - assisted by a good coffee from the well positioned coffee van which happens to be operated by a woman from Hawera, sister of the well known, now deceased, Ivan Jones. We still had time for a quick beer in Rawene before a good run back to Paihia via Kaikohe.

Sunday night we held the inaugural Motorex Cape to Cape dinner at the Swordfish Club in Paihia. Food and drink was good and thanks goes to Motorex (KTM NZ) for some great products and thanks also to Ross, Cathy and the Oakura Camping Ground for the auction....with Paul picking up a good value nights accommodation in a cabin.

Monday dawned fine again and we were faced with 595km back to NP.....a few long faces at the thought of it. Brunch at Wellsford and then we battled across Auckland and on south down the west side of the Waikato river and through to the Persimmon Tree at Pirongia for a refreshing break on the lawn - literally for Cheryl - too sore to sit on a bench? I had a stint on Joanna's BMW down to Awakino Hotel (one last beer for most) and then tried Steve's Fazer back to highway 3A where the group disbanded.

Highlights:

A great and happy group, the Northland roads, The Stone Store and the Rawene ferry - even the wait, swim stop near the Cape.

Lowlights:

Slightly too many km day 1 and day 3 (unavoidable as there was no accommodation in Dargaville area due to Fieldays), the venue booked for Saturday night dinner was too expensive.

All in all, a happy group returned to the 'naki and thoughts turned to March 2011.........Cape Farewell.....aahhh....ferry crossings, Takaka Hill, great roads, max 500km / day, meals provided at our accommodation venue.

Here's some pictures courtesy of Tina;