2013 North Island Tour

Wellington to Cape Reinga

Click on a picture and it will link you to pictures of that day’s activity.

Rob, Larry, Wayne, my bike and Rhondda on the desert road with Ruapehue in the back ground.

First night Taupo, Rex and his son Grant and partner Leah meet us at Lake Orakei Korako with its white and pink mineral springs so we could go for a ride together.

We travelled to Mangakino and on the back route to Tokoroa covering magnificent roads and scenery.

On leaving Taupo we headed for Mount Maunganui via Rex’s place at Rotorua, where an excellent afternoon tea was provided by Rex.

At Mt Mongonui we caught sight of this bizarre shirt lifter. Later in the day we rode around checking the sights of the Mount and Tauranga

We took a break at Waihi on the way to Whangamata and checked out the mine.

We decided to ride around the Coromandel Penisular where we had a cuppa,and some lively banter.

The Coromandel is great riding with interesting towns and magnificent scenery.

The ride through Auckland to Stanmore Bay was forgettable.

Our Stanmore Bay accommodation was nice right on the beach.

This kid fancied Larrys bike but thought it should have tassels like hers. We agreed pink tassels would look good on his

Bike!!!!

Kawakawa check out this link regarding the magic in this town. http://www.bay-of-islands-nz.com/hundertwasser.shtml

Here’s a couple of boiler hens I wonder how they would boil up in the whale pots.

Helen from USA was traveling with us and was captured at Waitangi by Maori. Maybe Helen is destined for the pot again!

Robs friends Vicki and Julian invited us to stay at their farm. We found Vicki milking even though the area is in drought.

This appeared to be a permanent camping area for Maori.

A happy Julian and Vicki after a successful fishing mission.

Cape Reinga the top of the North Island of New Zealand.

We travelled south on SH1 to Kawakawa where in the main street a train runs for tourists.

We stopped at Kaiwaka and found this alternative restaurant.

The ferry to Waiheke is known as very expensive but we have never been there so it had to be done.

Sun set on Waiheke Island looking at Rangitoto.

After a couple of nights of suburban Auckland on Waiheke it was time to head for Rotorua. No different to a house with a view on the main land.

On arrival in Roto-Vegas we met up with Rex and Yvonne and went to the local evening market.

Okere Falls where we found people getting their thrills in rafts.

We joined a ride commemorating 25 years of the Ulysses Club in NZ.

Dawn’s enjoying the Ulysses AGM party with a beach them.

It’s been a heck of a ride 4000 kilometres in 3 weeks in excellent riding weather, with outstanding views and great friends.

Rhondda and the boys enjoying some banter! How lucky are we from age 16 to 66 we can still ride together.