GS Ride - Day 2 (Russell to Leigh)

Day two started with much anticipation, and empty stomachs, as I had totally forgot about organising breakfast for the troops.  But, as luck would have it on our route was Helena Bay Hill Gallery & Cafe which turned out to be a stunning stop with fantastic food and an amazing view.  The Gallery, owned by Peter Brown, specialises in contemporary Maori and Pacific art.  David Caesar took a particular fancy to a coffee table till he realised it would not fit on his bike.

Parked at the cafe.

The view from the cafe

Thomas contemplating what he had got himself into...

Nigel pondering why everyone was laughing about his boots.

Stuart, just being Stuart....

Darren, Rosco and Dora posing.

Thomas and Mike enjoying a joke together.

Rosco saluting us on a fine cup of coffee...I think!










On leaving the Cafe we headed off to find a shingle road skirting Opuawhanga Forest to Whananaki and around the Tutukaka Coast before heading to Whangarei.  On entering Whangarei our corner-man system worked perfectly ensuring we all reached the harbour.

On leaving Whangarei we headed south on the main road to Mangapai where we hit gravel again.  From there it was onto Waipu and a quick stop at the Waipu Caves.

Dora doing her Dora pose

Keith decides to take a shortcut

Dora and a mystery man???

What on earth is hanging off the back of Rosco's bike???






Moving from there we head to Maungaturoto, through Kaiwaka at the mouth of the Otamatea River and then east to Mangawhai.  It was around here that Garry got us slightly lost but he recovered well before leading to Paikari Beach and through to Leigh for our overnight stop.

The owners of Leigh Sawmill Cafe (the Guinnesses) are old family friends and agreed to open the cafe specially for us as they are normally closed on a Monday night.  In addition, Graeme Crosby would join us that night to talk about his racing career and his new book.

Ben and Edward Guinness put on a magnificent bbq for us and between the food, beer and Crosby it was a great night.  Total distance traveled 278 km.

Dora would jump on every red bike that she could find

Ian dreaming about what it would be like to pull a wheelie on this..

Garry with Graeme Crosby in front of the Leigh Sawmill Cafe.

The bikes parked at Matakana the next day as someone filled up with fuel.