Northland Twin Coast Trail Cycle 5 | Russell to Kaikohe, via Kerikeri
Mostly road, after I chickened out of a forest ride.
Another fine day, so much for the tropical cyclone forecast! Had breakfast in the motel (self catered) and set off for Paihia on the ferry from Russell.
I was the only one on the little ‘Waimarie’ ferry, not Fullers. The skipper, solo crew, was busy doing chores most of the way (paper work and polishing brass!) but chatted a bit once we got closer to shore and the engine noise reduced.
Paihia & Waitangi
After a quick look around Paihia, several years since my last visit, I headed towards Waitangi to check out a possible route to Kerikeri.
Google maps shows some forest roads but I was unsure if they were really there, or useable. The views out over the Waitangi Reserve and Golf Course to the bay were lovely.
I diverted down the road to the, fairly new, Waitangi Mountain Bike Park. Although not on a suitable bike I was impressed with what I saw and had a good chat with one of the staff. On the to do list to revisit with my MTB.
It turned out the forest road was a private one, increasingly strident “No access" signs and the sound of logging trucks/machinery working in the distance made back tracking to the highway my only option. I know others have ridden it, but probably not on a workday.
Huruhuru Falls
The road goes past the Huruhuru Falls, some people were kayaking in the spume below the falls but managed to avoid a swim.
Kerikeri
I have done the ride to Kerikeri before (albeit the other way) so there were no surprises on this section apart from a relative (for a State Highway) lack of traffic.
No visit to Kerikeri is complete without a stop at the old (1836, is old by NZ standards anyway) Stone Store. Not sure how many times I have been there but this was my third visit on a bicycle. First was in my teens—on the return leg of a proper touring ride from Auckland (via Dargaville) to Kaitaia with a high school mate—and the second in 2012 on an Adventure South trip.
I had lunch at ‘The Pear Tree’ restaurant overlooking the basin: a really nice burger, thick cut chips (the best) and a cider to fuel the ride back to Kaikohe.
Waipapa & Puketi Forest
I took the back road to Waipapa, and after a short section of the main highway a country road, Puketotara Rd, which skirts the edge of Puketi Forest. It was tarmac to start with but soon I was on gravel. Of course the CX bike was fine but one section, maybe 5km of the ~25km, was very recently graded so it was difficult to find a smooth ‘line’.
I checked out a forest scenic reserve but it was more a place to stay, DOC camp, and trek from than anything remarkable in the way of views.
Back to Kaikohe
Once back on the main highway I could have retraced the cycle trail back to Kaikohe but took the road around Lake Omapere for a change of scenery.
This was the last cycling of the trip, back at Left Bank for the night before heading home tomorrow (Tuesday).
A celebration dinner
Dinner at Mint (again) was a lovely Herb Crusted Lamb Rump, with ample veges, followed by an indulgent Chocolate Marquise (mousse) dessert.
It was a great meal which almost certainly replaced every kilojoule burnt off on today's 100.96km ride, and then some!
Robin Capper
