NZ '17...Beaches, Boulders + Bloody Good Times

glitch

Mapping the next ride...
Staff member
Northland_001.JPG



C'moooonn, we've gotta go, man!
"You know, I've got a mate over there, does some work for a local bike-mag and has a sort-of beach-shack we might be able to stay at...maybe"


Northland_004.JPG



Things started to come together after digging out the old maps from previous trips.
Ditching the common belief of the Northland consisting of the Bay of Islands, Cape Reinga and a patch of Kauri-trees, there's
a hell of a lot of stuff to be seen, superb roads to ride, endless gravel and beaches to be explored, outstanding vistas to be had.
The coffees are good everywhere, the tucker still mainly deep-fried, the folks are friendly and generally helpful, always up for a yack with a traveler.


That should keep us happy for a week or so...


Northland_005.JPG



Northland_003.JPG



The bikes came through Hakan again, even though he doesn't own the fleet anymore.
Things are beyond the normal rental-formalities after all those previous trips and I'm glad for it.... apart from the personal relationship that has built along the way. Hell of a nice guy, too.

Northland_294.JPG



4am near Melbourne Airport, and Crusty is going all out to squash 11days-worth-of-gear into the carry-all.

Northland_006.JPG



That Northland brew gave me the shakes....
Doug and his old mate (with family). We had no idea what was to come... :bs



Northland_007.JPG



The BackYard Steaks+Ribs next door to the first-night digs in North Auckland came as a total surprise...and set some pretty lofty standards! :drool::drool:


Northland_008.JPG



I'M INVINCIBLE!! POWW :killingme



Northland_009.JPG



Northland_010.JPG
 

glitch

Mapping the next ride...
Staff member
Doug's mate Geoff and 2 more locals, Tim on the Katoom and Peter on that 80's-something wannabe-chopper (Suzuki 650 Savage) picked us up in the morning to show us around their neighbourhood for a day....while doing a roadtest of that SWM SuperDual 650 for the upcoming issue of the KiwiRider Magazine at the same time.

Off to the gannet-rocks at Muriwai on the west-coast via Riverhead and the backblocks....



Northland_011.JPG



Geoff trying to explain to Ant how we got there.



Northland_013.JPG



No fear, no feeling...this isn't exactly Hawaii out there.


Northland_014.JPG



Bouncing back+forth through the guts of the island, East + West coasts are less than 50km apart. I can't believe how that ancient 650 cruiser-thumper-rustbucket gets punted through the countryside... tar or gravel, no matter. Incredible! :bow:


Northland_015.JPG



Northland_016.JPG



Lunch under blue skies at Puhoi Pub, one of the local biker hangouts.



Northland_017.JPG


Want bar-risers for the prissy, little ADV-bike??

THAT'S A BAR-RISER, BOY!!



Northland_018.JPG



And those timber-bits will be chromed by next week :whistle: :bs




Northland_019.JPG



After that the skies cloud over again and we're off towards Kaipara Flats via Ahuroa Rd., West Coast Rd.+ Komokoriki Hills Rd.,




Northland_020.JPG



a sweet mix of gravel and some tight, sealed stuff. The Kaipara Hills Rd. is on the menu...and I can't wait for that one!



Northland_021.JPG



Northland_022.JPG



Northland_023.JPG



Kaipara Hills...LOVE 'EM!!:glu



Northland_024.JPG



Northland_025.JPG




Tim taking the SWM for some magazine-shots


Northland_026.JPG



Northland_027.JPG



Dropping towards the West Coast again...


Northland_028.JPG



They DID say it rained for the last 6 weeks!!
Made the fence posts grow beards.


Northland_029.JPG




A little later we're on the East Coast again...Mangawhai Heads lures with a coffee and icecreams.



Northland_030.JPG




Northland_031.JPG




Northland_032.JPG



Is it?? The "dog of Mangawhai"? Guess we'll have to wait for the article in the mag...:bt

Northland_033.JPG



Flax bush about to flower... it sure is spring around here.



Northland_034.JPG




Northland_035.JPG




Northland_036.JPG
 

glitch

Mapping the next ride...
Staff member
Mangawhai Rd. ? tacking south again.
I'm not sure, but certainly enjoyed NOT leading and checking maps/ signs etc.
Definitely going south though....the day was getting long and there was a brewery waiting!!



Northland_037.JPG



At "The Sawmill"....



Northland_038.JPG



...and made that dinner-stop as well, while at it. Some nice pizzas the guys knocked up!


Northland_039.JPG





Northland_041.JPG




Northland_042.JPG




Northland_043.JPG



The late-afternoon-light hides the biggest "OHHH-AHHH" of the day :
The "Beach-Shack" :wot::wot:



Northland_045.JPG



Tucked into the steep hills just above the coastline sits a 120acre private estate with a handful of properties, a kilometer of steep, private concrete drive leading onto the spines of the hills...


Northland_049.JPG



...straight into HEAVEN!! Take a seat!


Northland_046.JPG



Northland_048.JPG



Northland_047.JPG



The sun sets behind the flax and pine trees as


Northland_050.JPG



the dribbling, cold shower from the garden hose in the howling wind behind the shed is just too much for most (softcocks! :bs)



Northland_051.JPG




...the well-insulated living-quarters lit up by candles hide a classic, MINT Honda XL350 :glu as the local brew flows, the story of "The Jims " emerges and some sordid past :bt is dug up by the old mates. :killingme:lao:killingme

Oh man....what a night!!


Northland_052.JPG



The wind howls us into sleep....bellies aching and still cracking a big smile.
Day1....outta the ballpark!!


:lao:lao
 

ant

AngryAnt
After the demise of Photobucket (the free version) I'm trying Google Photos again - let me know if you can't see 'em.

Day 1

I even got an "Ant" number plate! Thoughtful work from the rentals team.

FtVGLoIjZUgzgw3ckAyywWjPartUpbplqAHB7FlGbozx4Wd3dC6XIV1RJwDKHfmLn1WRMomtNgj7cN9PtGOgkblTK-nIsgX3lC88fHPoGbQH9bqig_EwCmw1WkjzrCLdEzHU8ORXyB8U2YjOb8NLrn75yDubSw8bJz3hR7ceBWI_VVy8fYYA4t4egYxnLkC7BqdVFCjA9Qzq9_hz9e6DFjkKUBIOeVboecKHq9L4AZFC-wLTM_CQcFpilY9Q7ZgJlgFioLw5KPYOTv9jgQVr3zeHSMnW_8pcBKhNtyfoWOZYDNh5NDQ1lh3Oy0nP0j6fmcDjimYRGZJNPrMvP6bYZ6VM8m7xmFMZWVX0duJnP1HA9JOF43nq4ix4k-QsWZKMNqlRFbpr6KP0JWASyQOjDDM6tLu8cwuS6V1Avqm8pP75meP_TSMQwjJ0iuLq6nETQ5Lyt3OKEJOEV_6OdyJXfWTMF7qmnA-WpIeQvfyzBzOQD3dzh5lFNREFsqL1oM4DZAoXWlXMZb6YNkVxx9DwfZtbjdqOxCDS63-Zf1ycKebqsl2I7KeUK0jLPsVXT3V9jg7n3NrRmyHXWyX_dK7RFzvJbHVdQwDMJqhYssOt9FgLFlCQ-FsKk4iN-Hw28f2No6DDKPuJnWhaIOgFXbpreKvBh0FMYLjjrRjp=w1560-h878-no





Tim explains to the group why he's wearing that thing on his head

wBVM6CnuHv6nGbLOomLgX5ZBBd8_YzQQE7JHgWIFS8VljtRWvev9aibiEtn_oDfOxXVqe9wgS1maacpMCfxvygU_jC2WI1z9c0wUJslomzJNXhQe7zNISOhwk7YYKSKRAk7yoeMDX1uqfSSp_XQLAr_qMVJnSOAgi0dTFPvo8zKPJ7cctKHA8Bgb7FdICfwfaSiZu5sTdOiMcHnNwX3yQkdUngW69NgC3q39J_rtmmGW93RUfIkrmLfiZ7wEHGNWYl0-4wjVpT_jNw1ovVU5XJNIrrOml_0rNVbBgMRpYBAW9xTKoHG8RNUgd3nZu7txYuSTFl7jHhpVV2nCAW6UxRRVJqxbp_KCIsUKgBveYfZzLgD7b4IhU8XsheIjJssbewpjsMQ4pK4ghRP8mu6OOztSUJ2he1zfodP4gOzGttD6EwDkwZrTxy7mkhUeGHQwALhmZ_0VOiZGF1uG3R5bowUFYa3lHlgpGpWzL8xsHw2IhOBF_Quo7-28Mtk4R6Xd5fxXA4VWdHX5lQTRQuoQZvYeOGk1SRp5inpkPuFe_5ll1TVWtGCZTvJSyHrOpa9eS6BPrHPYKl7htH6AtKZx36oBgowgt6bFz1FXzu_bpJr56zxtvtiK79QggVzvzN-NjcS66hXrwvSbekYQY6uGwrWydpoIzHkbSuKn=w1752-h985-no



Who knew about the surf culture here? Not me


k8PydPnOxMKTsPqtcJVWGBO8aJ71eituAZBFZrrPPYk3Vw9ViSgdmf1EiOvii47CHc0oSwwVlzMQIb2m3B71dJgctWU6O2dTly1EeXlfDD3odE-6u2MStZ7lLieaEy0L43S-Jn0yMt9WzZEfKeT2ljyWhiiR4z7BKy3w5C4HuR7vKehWRJVxp7FIYO3aVgNrCjkg_3Ihz0vBpguCapvePGWmhDvuvguWuQRmr8jRrEYXNxQryJ3BGUO9Do-DIBObSU6A9mmyHEiw428qbfuYilw8bjp65d9foPF_QwzGFMDj8_h0slK2rY9GA_kAGUCk0tZ6rgi0LpCijOKaAynXY-9Ub0GsIC0qeH5iCQqn-TJA5PtXgmXc9axDzMDkXuUkEvqTBSaBkjXwhcqzOyDNDZkW06yKng75vdQY6pDMlIycZRytcfAXTM2rWNqyFhqO46f25fngD-C8BOolXG9-CsEM92WRQXbeMVghctjgHVm8AW8eS_rlguSk9YcZzJJbscuMqBXQtgJKsobYGACpSal9fDEMThiVeLJVf88GNo8wkcUmi6r-gVxLsH-X9m8Hwv77ZThxXVA-ArsYfgeIKRcmJncHaUTLWsu95JbSNOnvBFF5Gu6zxXm6dBQXzJzJgoD6hE8IM9WK59Mvx-WO8-uzd-uOWdXkqslP=w1752-h985-no



Checking the sights in the hills

MdaBiEkoS-mH-ZekhWVwp-K9UpDw2uvS1b76mgiZC0VaJWFRcvwd7bd8kiX7ikAZFvJNb1BTQbQXyTKyA1VSVrAJ-iPiZqZ_RASjocCOlXUNmbtpGeqdm38-3NcW7rfjEqsM2N-bE0bM1EEljf_f7tyyAxnuOvYM7hGrVURFnlnfNMlbWbnOE1FRPyhvJtIyNZ2slaOMleCILANOO38zgKekNUe-RpEONU2o5KPS-1Sj2L7p4xxGusVAGxVDfmV21gcHR2rLChLFYcmIHgMCGVme5cZVvSFez_xaJluzZYdCX-cC-MhUZURvbvZXlFc--a1oKMawy3jTgBkIMMxbN3hSfmreOXlV7hQLLEuHdcxHAqd2WjOefi3fef2PvNJCUJ0c3memWI8x_UBw6EZRMrqTAdIemnGhWAyYvH6_vDsZUj7DVssulCejbnIscPF0-I4JWZXfQtTGudHsZB92IGFWi2aQF_4Ek4V_S-tRJ-zhf5qra3aYCcpLJpjjeVjXLeoWQ3g_JX8EJusHzxVIjdGALtQF12_nPZAY3d3huneJOmFSVVJxgAOVfbaj9v_rUiBg9XaWXEhaHzGhCGhrb2Tb-RA7TCp4CO34hNyXjdAmBaKVjYYnFtbtn-B7pSkQ3C-Auv00ADZsKiypHTXGpfzlWGL4UpWR9-pE=w1752-h985-no


MiBjiQVoCbzVW7jWsTmWeCd_4nur57K70w36Qigec5QJHndQUPeOz7aHrT2RR6dWXVRjwUFDidCw57ycv7oyRlPW4-8GiaGSM3bMCLy8SbfZ_e8SNNd6BsOks6xBY1Vb5TPRI_GI3sxPLep2LINiHMtFhYcR4NJK2FTQDzDes-ChiHG1R38sFsL21X52ldhtp-gksy3NuAqeyHgPXqoLu3-E-vXaGN7ksA0xcH3ffxdQ7isTuGXOhQiqvHeIfdJdUzP16yKoKIPLYx7WylHFBOnH8rxekDF5VNXxLcT1R6Pv9Tfa_Ct_EQS16Ig5-9kV9U_BYI1NeQzy0ImKvuHEHXqt0V8re9RlOJBZG5S0y-xN-4Jw4rCRA1eqrLJFebUXq1bF-MU310eUi8uyhdv2E38P6VJh0msouvMBX6eq6HRDwOLTAEP83NgTqCh0tmdjp5NwHby4GxooSmZCBZI_Gy94NmYS9TbNDnfyG9qRvt2u_uJpLnzSfviA7JNxBryD8pFHkCp6uRwZ2jXixYHr6FbMZGLc89bYa9dYxwU748WCuf09LsVf-PwmqWlHByOQ_7FLnMXJGvPX9d6tTyHZC1YapPrTwFD5R3eqZQben6qMVrK9bmM9pUQBt2SWhPTFXOy4ZzHlQeD6T-mqJYr-u_ahctYBPMdPIiTl=w1752-h985-no


TBJ6qiDhzKIV8v-YiQoqoz9MnA2ROcZK0r1gjl86oA93Wa2DHWiFqU4Bm6Gc2eVuH0t3Ipofv-1U8a-c6qg-54l5QoD66vLUIMbrcV4b5I_5eXnAhuNpuxRMgsenhky7WsBHjjA4UCdt5AVNlbxU3WqXp2dNJRf3Mb1zma6k2Qi3zy0Va1Bd_u92uYp2SsMpoIM0NEBpbWEI-oKTgeg19LXSD0MVadK-mLIcPF8tCjCZVszpg3mk3lYFLoYdZAmbzla89Y6rJRg72FSt6Ous04wE0f-4PkRHgUPllIbsnGQj7N5aKfe3tyqH10_VTDMJAjMFgKMN91VMAOQiX4f7YPcWrufndSN3yLgTV_XzhvzZOHzr3m-I2ugKGlB3KeZ4UEVGRDiAgkzhCActDn9tqK3HWJvUk4MQeys705SJUTdOLS62xws_54wKLKElyZgkcN3eddeVWbZAHjf92g3hJEEBoRf03P1i4FeBWxvShmR8m8t_WzVBpFxRCmISjWay2d5yu2t1VjO-ZoeuSMI1Oo388IKXviyX5N1JjdQO6uhkA147yuarZXwenrgA6UPcW53dPCekorhlJli0tqkif2F-K2R0wlxR8f1oSkJs4bU


BPOg9lqx3OhJ8s75__skHxzK9g0V0KpRXeBMSbuwEhAbSOvcsZMZg9mifHg9k6E7_g18VQvPhm2bH9XyYCpSsWU3Finz85TR4_rE8TWTkca8I3aD-shhqZANZkOT0fB9Eq-gChnRi7g4JxI3e-nJ8B9mhea0EXdFV5mFpr8qE5q1dBczOYG04xWOkZDEYcouijx4q5FAoujZROGvNBBqoF3i6rJpJREB8YxEVJQqAjUSSbFGiGyylaJZ0-qg_PWx38ZRpLBJdNNnLCZryl7ISF6cWQz-bh4zJjWV6SfIxPUbdodxHjgB3z-j4gqaUYKlKsiBGIPtdIyTmYWf_9Uvbo1AxOUZ2SwfLi2J5w5Rtcih72Zyl2Xkq_6l3e4pAVVibL471-rUUByzHhMkqLQnciWjCr7IRBHF6L8SUBTX4Lbd2wr6qX8njpfmdPPqjFOJqG23v4DzbvzgZHRORyMroQPYS3fmszX4AZUORhOHHf2wEAChshpcOVB_hvLEZfUAt0CGGHoDjRQqWmGO1AMSG3AadjkBYAGRmvZdgDoeujUHQ6zcqySIGZ1XCb9YS3GrE3MWWRgFVfoBT65jQXC_tUoV19ck0B0Q9glOc0eFaV8





The view from Jeff's driveway

La9b2AKLE1OTQbuF8M0fhbsyJ1Mxt8m5S6VPThwmVix2upbefRLDw73bWn3Fbs1JONYAGkCPq5V0PShyfueOuP_Eaqe-B8zd9UZqOzGuFfl98MOdhHYlOvZ-UtHAcSSok0ql792zgJsMd4xhMXj1mShxaXwcd3YP_URCb9zaVsp9w4NFz88mGMWGEBFK2GgbRG0b9X8OeDoyc1H0Vs8kTXnlB9Rc-oZhU91hx88zfFgS9uZla4mFYT7ORSv1uQOPDzaBIIPyw7z-8yOR2OvBUoC5906kwFqC38rWOma_fNMrcko2nr7khlrSdeaheBcYHzcZGhXUzOLWM8oLC5fecHoTxNbie92eykoAUf4ouQiGpP0HNYbAKyzLk_osSW6NVCGN47WkFEY0zo8YCHRACGoalBGoqxBjyusPPho3PasPEC9Qi5fI-x6fSbhQxowe6Y9lol3uFI60OjtGby85vXz84zxIfrO9YasCy333FOw225JriQTqiksp_wArcPElftY1MQRSkte8c4eERP4JWJMu1IhBXZFYxQQWRPxD36uCsUbDO_qBQToKKKGdCZXF6BfbkiZYPpT_olCGzX7nr5WzhldPBaATCQ8-7dMBIusHAS-HCRr4RpAVWRwUsJXaevrY9IUOgS1wknjrQSX5GKqtSJno5BPa13Zr=w1620-h911-no





Last speck of sunset

aePKYFQO6XL3egtI4Z51eOAAKMOKCsPM6ptaNcfx_oPvpXHX4_VebC-LCthHNLQ8KcYfpxDw-EbIsyEAe3OUTb3cqhfJ0Qcg-rFlFWVWminfUReqAE6DPSZGtu6zxFgCVIWf7XlmK6jeGYLWVgp450_Hsxmuc1Ubxl5geNgmhV-SpGXQGGtYs00X5dzujKtBtbeLoNZWna0En2WWbX5mAHbwHsd1PTBlpmGyeUSfO1mc732EahEHsfTDtOhQjjd6IyNkkbbN2wgZKbMIlHf0yzz3IxC_tFoWVGXn7A1SOrLzKMPxkZ328rzTFR4M0oZX4efvh8IhuyRiPRUlRnjC0f0re9l4IKe4m2xXPAZ2OIXp6rD0STLs6m5ne7qYqlG1aJPltfDExLfnsvcuFo6_cq1Otvgw_mZtH5qMsDynFf78J0SCNzcLW6ODTq5HlSO33d5vWI0vBuiBIiJMoKD_3fOdGAR0hqas_BhHWUwR_viPwh2ePkS9xUDW3V_F85q3v9LLcwWiF_MkGZEW6SQbfCMrL_VpHrN586XqsNJ9FfrlWQcMThV0T0XIib3XrDh-vg8ZIJ7WgEpviO1LIEVrPNnQl1_EA0pCom9JyGiiA6TS1leYctfIBZbZdQYhn-Zk_Jgk-4ayUSk4K0EuhyGYDd2fPfaIMonevPgh=w1620-h911-no



Cracking first day.
 
Last edited:
Top Bottom