Local man Wayne
Sanderson out in front
of the 35 riders
SATURDAY SUNDAY
aturday morning we took off on the
tar seal through Claris to Windy Canyon
Lookout. Almost everyone took the
o ortunity to check the magnificent views
from the lookout. From there we went over
the mountain to Okiwi and onto private
land for some fun farm trails. This led us to
some fabulous views of the remote northern
coastline of the Barrier. This is a view rarely
seen by others.
From the farm we crossed over to the
other side to Port Fitzroy wharf. And then
back to the Claris Club for a delicious lunch
prepared by a local catering company. After
lunch we were treated to an informative
briefing from en anderson, ayne s
father, about the mining, whaling, and
logging history of Great Barrier Island.
hen we were off again on more winding
roads lus an off-road adventure on
Wayne’s farm near Claris. We didn’t seem to
bother the livestock as we raced by in their
fields obin is merican - they re called
paddocks here, Robin – Angela). Then it was
on to Whangaparapara, and Blind Bay where
Saturday was done and dusted. This was a bit more relaxed – everyone was
on island time now. We stayed south and
found every road either side of Tryphena.
The beaches there are white sand and
shallow, very photogenic. With only the
morning to ride every effort was made to
make it last. The route included going on
some private land to homes with a view past
Schooner Bay and the trailhead of Whalers’
Lookout.
Lunch on Sunday was hosted by Peter and
Helga at their comfortable home/farm/B&B
in Rosalie Bay, where we dined and relaxed
in the sun until it was time to head back to
the ferry.
A couple of days have passed now and I am
still smiling from my experience on the agile
Yamaha XT250, my many new friends and
thrilling memories of riding on Great Barrier
Island.
KIWI RIDER 95