My first few days on the Tour Aotearoa North Island 2026 were quite turbulent.. Apart from a deluge of rain (a tropical cyclone), being chased by dog who actually bit another cyclist and being almost hit by a rouge ute driver, it was a very beautiful ride…
But first things first..
Day 01
I started by flying from Nelson to Kerkeri in Northland via Auckland. I packed my bike in a box from Air NZ, and had dis-assemble and assemble it together again. Then I took a shuttle from Kerikeri all the way to Cape Reinga.
Unfortunately i couldn’t start my tour just yet, since it was high tide when I arrived at the beach. So I had to camp one night at the Te Paki Dunes Carpark, before I could start in the morning on the 99 mile beach..
Day 02
After a quiet night in the tent I left early – a bit too early – to start my ride on the 99 mile beach which can only be ridden 3 hrs before and 4 hrs after low tide, when the receding water is compacting the sand just enough that you can ride on it.
It was a new experience to ride on the 99 mile beach for me. It was exhausting, since the sand was to wet, and i had some headwind, but all in all i managed to ride it in one day. I was almost a little proud of myself..
along the way: Lodge and Camping | Houhora | – Hukatere Lodge
Accomodation: Endless summer Lodge Ahipara
Dinner: Ahipara Bay Motel
Day 03
After a relaxing night in the Endless summer Lodge i started with a big breakfast at the local Ahipara cafe. I was eager to get to Kohukohhu the next stop on my ride.
Unfortunately I was chased by a rogue dog when I left Ahipara. Luckily he did not get me, but just a few days later i read on facebook that this exact same dog bit another cyclist. so please be careful if go there!
Dinner and accomodation: Kohukohu Hotel
Day 04
My initial idea was to do a stop in Pahia, which is a 80 km side trip to the Tour Aotora route. Also there was some bad weather forecast, so i decided to ride the twin coast cycle trail to the east coast, which was a real experience. I started on the morning 9 am with short private ferry ride from kohukohu to the beginning of twin coast cycle trail. unfortunate i forgot my helmet on the ferry.
After a long exhausting day with lots of headwind, i arrived in Paihia, where I had to stay 3 full days and wait until the cyclone from the pacific islands was passing by. Hopefully it will be gone soon!
Also I was hit seemingly intentionally by a crazy ute driver near Kawakawa. Take care!