Gravel Hopper Adventures and Riding the Loose Stuff: Surf and Turf Adventures at Awhitu

Where Land Meets The Seas - Adventures Were Had At Awhitu.......

Amidst dodgy weather over the rest of the country, the Adventure Riders were at Awhitu sharing in some New and Exciting Adventures. On one side of the small Peninsula, we were clothed in a cloak of dark skies; here on the other side the skies were blue, and it was extremely warm. Not a drop of rain all day here which made for an extremely pleasant time. We found the grounds to still be firm and solid, so our big adventure bikes were able to take in all of the tracks and trails that we had marked out for this ride.

True to form this private Coastal Property leads us out and onto just one of our Beach Access Points

WhERE LAND MEETS THE SEAS - Duncan "Under Power" on his NEW 1200cc Tenere - All in a mng's work for This Big Bike and Rider

"TEAM KTM" - The Two Big Bike riders spotted in conversation at The Point

Stunning Coastal Views

Well done to MY Group 2 Adventure Riders - A growing number of NEW Adventure Bike Riders having fun in the sun at Awhitu. We had just exited off one of our Private Property Blocks and were heading off to join our other group.

Our main group parked up and waiting for Group 2 to arrive. Next stage of our ride we head off to JIMZ Voodoo Point to attempt the ramp entrance and into our luncheon destination.

The magnificent Awhitu Peninsula is a destination of contrasts - where the Tasman Sea pounds the black sands of the west coast and meets the tranquil eastern bays and Manukau Harbour

New Zealand’s most tragic shipwreck occurred at Manukau Heads when HMS Orpheus ran aground on the tidal sandbar in 1863

Manukau Heads Lighthouse was built in 1874

The restored heritage Manukau Heads Lighthouse sits proudly on the very tip of the Awhitu Peninsula and overlooks the treacherous sandbar and turbulent ocean. This lighthouse is particularly special as it’s one of only a few in New Zealand you can actually climb to the top of

NGARNZ brought Adventure to Awhitu,

This was our FIRST visit here, and we will be planning a big adventure weekend here at The Peninsula over our next summer months. The sealed highway in and out of this area is quite misleading, in that it does not at all showcase the true MAGIC here. Where "SURF meets the TURF", and an adventure bike weekend was had at Awhitu. Suitable for All Big Adventure Bike Riders.

Photos in and courtesy of several of Our Ride Attendees - thanks - great to have pics available for viewing.

NEW SERTAO and owner Thomas was presented with our CycleSpot Euro Prize Vouchers

Thanks for your welcome assistance on our Adventure at Awhitu

Our Spectro Oil Prize Pack was presented to another of
our NEW Big Adventure Bike Riders Gary - Well done Gary

http://www.northerngraveladventure ider

snz.com/awhitu-surf-and-turf.html

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AD HOC MID WEEK ANZAC DAY RIDE:

Anzac day this Thursday the 25th April. NGARNZ will run a mid week ride that will be FREE to Ride Group Members and will incur a $15 Ride Fee for Non Members. The Ride will leave at 9:30am from BP Bombay. WE will run TWO groups. Group one will enjoy Limestone Downs and The Klondyke and many gravel roads that will be factored into our mng jaunt. Group 2 - New to Adventure Bike Riding and wanting a slower paced ride and a shorter route, then this group is for you. All levels of ability will be factored in to this mid week Thursday ride. Both groups will join for lunch at The Nikau Caves.

Remembering The Anzacs

The red poppy has become a symbol of war remembrance the world over. People in many countries wear the poppy to remember those who died in war or who still serve. In many countries, the poppy is worn around Armistice Day (11 November), but in New Zealand it is most commonly seen around Anzac Day, 25 April.

In Flanders fields

The red or Flanders poppy has been linked with battlefield deaths since the time of the Great War (1914–18). The plant was one of the first to grow and bloom in the mud and soil of Flanders. The connection was made, most famously, by Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae in his poem 'In Flanders fields'.

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*****M ** A ** Y *****

and.... what's on "OUR SCHEDULE"???.........

Well, the weather is on the change at last, and the final of our "Over Land" Adventure Tours will soon cease. Enjoy them whilst you still can.

Saturday 04th May and our Kaipara/South Head Adventure

Entries close 28th April

http://www.northerngraveladventureridersnz.com/04th-may-kaiparasouth-head-adventure.html

Travel over a small portion of thousands of acres of pristine Farm Tracks/Trails/Gravel/Sealed Roads
Two Groups Running - Group 1 Exp
Group 2 - NEW to Adventure Bike Riding

A great chance to further those Off The Road Skills

A FULL day of riding, right on the very heart of Auckland's doorstep, no need to travel, we have it all right HERE>>>>>>>

Our Over The Land Farm Tours will cease shortly until AFTER the Winter. A great chance to get that ONE more in before then...

To enter, please make an online payment for this ride as there is NO Entry Form. Details on our website link as detailed above. Several Private Land Access visits included in this Adventure Tour.

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MOTHER'S DAY SUNDAY 12TH MAY DATE CHANGE:

Many of our riders have mailed in to say..... -
"DID YOU REALISE"

that SUNDAY the 12th MAY is MOTHER's DAY????
<<<<<AND WE WANT TO COME>>>>>BY POPULAR DEMAND WE WILL NOW CHANGE THIS DATE BACK
TO SATURDAY THE 11TH MAY

SATURDAY 11th May "NEW CONCEPT"

SATURDAY 11th May and we have our very FIRST Route Sheet

Adventure - Can YOU Reach our Checkpoints??? and

play for Your Share in our Pot Of Gold???

WE aim to keep you entertained and interested over "The Winter Months" with that something a little different

This is going to be very interesting, Read and Follow Your Map, Arrive at Each of our Checkpoints. Visit several Mystery Farms, Take a few SNAPS, Answer some questions and TREAT yourself to a short Farm Agility Course :)

Points Accumulation, As Easy as 1, 2, 3

1: Arriving at each checkpoint

2: Answer those questions

3: How did you do at our Agility Course??

The Highest Points Scorers from the day go in to the draw

for a share in that very elusive Pot Of Gold........

http://www.northerngraveladventureridersnz.com/now-saturday-11th-may---due-to-mothers-day-on-sunday-the-12th-may---an-adventurers-guide-to-the-best-of-the-west.html

To enter for this Route Sheet Adventure, your booking is by online payment into NGARNZ Bank Account with your name as reference and include Route Sheet as Reference details.

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:::::J..U..N..E:::::

June onwards will see the return of the Big Bike Adventure Rides, based on our collection of NEW forest areas which will offer to us Ride Suitable terrain for those who enjoy touring metal/forestry roads. WE have many NEW forest areas to tour and to explore for over our Winter Season.

We are currently working on our "Waipu and Waipu Forest Tour".

Work is also underway for a BIG Adventure Weekend based on forestry we have available Up North. WE will take you from Northland to the Coast. This will be an overnight based weekend away. Our tour will combine metal, forestry/off road tracks and trails and a visit to beaches. Suitable for all to attend, and most definitely suitable for our Big Adventure Bikes.

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RE CAPPING on our WAIKAREMOANA Adventure

Queen's Birthday Weekend June 02nd we commence

Ride Begins Early Sunday Morning June 02nd

Due to popular demand and limited accommodation at the Matawai Hotel, this ride is now only available to Ride Group Members. WE anticipate that there will not be enough accommodation for everyone who wishes to attend this Adventure Ride.