The bike was waiting for us in Auckland when we arrived in early December. Most of the friends and family stuff was in the North Island, but I still managed to squeeze in a bit of riding other than up and down State Highway 1.
First bit of gravel we tackled was on the Eastern Cape from Opotiki to Gisborne. This is known as the Motu Road and winds through thick bush.


Wierd shit on the way

From Gisborne we took the road north towards Lake Taupo past Lake Waikaremoana. Absolutely beautiful. Road doesn't look that challenging, but I think it had been recently graded so was covered in ball bearings, or so it seemed. A firm hand on the throttle and gentle input to the steering did the trick.


Stopped for a bite to eat by the water's edge


One thing I was very keen to do was ride Ninety Mile Beach. You're not supposed to take hire vehicles on to the beach which is why I haven't done it before. We headed up via Russell in the beautiful Bay of Islands - it's the old colonial capital, now a quieter place to stay than Paihia over the water.

One the ferry to Paihia - always happy to be on a ferry.


The beach is firm and easy to ride on. Normal road rules apply - just don't stray too close to the dunes unless you fancy digging.


Getting off the beach is another matter. You ride 3 1/2 km up a stream. Ordinarily not a problem as long as you don't plunge into a hole dug by a bogged tourist or have to avoid the charging 6x6 tour busses, but there has been little rain and about 500m of the stream was VERY dry and soft sand. I binned it on the loose sand (naturally) and sweated cobs pushing the bike out. The rest of it was a hoot though.
The beginning of the stream to leave the beach. Mrs 3D bailed out and went in our friend's 4x4, sensible lass.

After the soft bit riding the stream

Then you pop out on to firm stuff!


A bit further up the road is Cape Reinga, the northern tip of the country. The Maori believe this is where the spirits of the dead jump off on their way to the mythological lisland of Hawaiki.
Reminded me a bit of the Stephenson Lighthouses in Scotland.




Ah, bugger. I made the mistake of using old glue, so the repair didn't hold. Found a bike shop in Keri Keri, got it fixed properly. Managed 13000km on a Mitas E-07 on our last trip without a puncture though.

On another day, a bit further south I spotted this - check out the right hand sign - that's Gaelic, thought all the Scots went to the South Island!

Stayed with friends north of Auckland - not a bad view from the road leading into their place.

Before we had Christmas and then headed south we went over to Kawhia. Lovely place to camp and definitely old skool Kiwiana feel to the place.



Next, the South Island.