Ride Around the Top Paddock Gold (New Zealand)

Ride Around the Top Paddock Gold
(New Zealand)

Version No. 1.5
Date last revised: March 18th, 2024

© 2021, Iron Butt Association, Sheridan, Wyoming
Please respect our intellectual property rights.
Do not distribute this document or portions therein, without the written permission of the Iron Butt Association.

Background

This is a New Zealand based ride.

The Ride Around the Top Paddock is roughly 3,340 kilometres.

You must ride your motorcycle in a path that traces the outline of the North Island of New Zealand, using the State Highway network of roads.

This ride is one of a pair of rides:

Both are 'Ride-Around' rides, there are different time allowences for the Top and the Bottom paddocks given the difference in length.

These rides have special certificates with a custom design.

An IBA Award certificate 'Checking the Boundary Fences (NZ)' is available for those who successfully complete both rides.

Read the rules for the iconic SaddleSore 1000 on the Ironbutt Association site. The rules for this ride are similar and you will get valuable background information.

Documentation: See here.

Definitions

DBR - Dated Business Receipt

A DBR is a machine generated receipt with the date, time and LOCATION on it. Check it - do not assume it is correct. A receipt with an incorrect time/date/location is worthless. Check and re-check.

Fees

PDF, delivered by email - US$45 or Printed and posted - US$50
Paypal (send to friends and family) to: [email protected]

Rules

This ride is open to existing IBA members only.

With one exception: this is also open to anyone who has successfully completed a New Zealand Distance Rider's NI1600 event within the previous five years. - There has been a long standing reciprocal arrangement and recognition of this event.

SpotWalla IS REQUIRED for this ride.
You can ride the route in either direction, clockwise or anti-clockwise.
This ride can be started anywhere along the loop-route around the Island, you must start and end the ride at the same location, i.e. same DBR.
You must visit each of the numbered checkpoints in proper, full sequential order (either clockwise or anti-clockwise), and obtain a photograph of your bike at each point.

There are some standard IBA approaches taken when you cannot reach a required checkpoint which include:

Getting as close to the checkpoint as possible, and documenting (with evidence) why you could not reach the checkpoint (e.g. a photo of your bike next to the Road Closed sign).
Checking for other means of accessing the checkpoint (using an alternative route or detour) and exhausting all reasonable options - documenting each.

If you are exhaustively forced to miss a checkpoint, and if missing that would reduce your ride's overall distance below 3,200km, then you must make up that lost distance by adding your own additional detour into the route at some point within the permitted timeframe.
Include your documentation within your ride submission.
Missing up to a single checkpoint with satisfactory, extenuating evidence will be considered, but no more than one.

You must go around the East Cape
You must go around the Corromandel Loop
A minimum of 3,200 kilometres is required for this certificate, it is more likely that your route will be approximately 3,250km - 3,350km, to qualify for this IBA certificate you must complete your ride within 50 hours (~65km/h overall avg).

General

Ride-start and ride-end receipts should be annotated with your bike's odometer reading and should be photographed, clearing showing all details on the receipt, along with a clear view of your bike's odometer, these need to be submitted as part of your ride verification request.
DBRs should be kept for all fuel stops, numbered and annotated with your bike's odometer reading for each stop - these may be called upon during ride verification.
Photographs of checkpoints can be accumulated on your SpotWalla track (preferred), or provided separately to your ride verifier.

Checkpoints:

Downloadable files / references

- Waypoints - GPX file of waypoint locations contained in this document.
- Track of suggested Route - (note that some of the above allowances may not be reflected in this Track, this is the route which was used to prove that it could be done).
- Spotwalla trip for the reference ride: https://new.spotwalla.com/trip/8256-39e04-2e01/view

Overview map

Checkpoint details

Name #1 - Cape Reinga

Coordinates: -34.430033, 172.681992

Description: Bike at, or near entry to walk to the lighthouse, attendants are OK with bikes being parked carefully, on the footpath near to the signs on the right hand side of the entrance

Sample Photo

Map

Name #2 - Opononi Hotel

Coordinates: -35.504555, 173.391678

Description: Park just inside of the hotel / pub car-park, photograph your bike next to the pub.

Sample Photo

Map

Name #3 - Waimauku RSA

Coordinates: -36.768925, 174.493028

Description: Park carefully on the pavement and take a photo in-front of the RSA.

Sample Photo

Map

Name #4 - Raglan

Coordinates: -37.799338, 174.867325

Description: Stop by the water's edge and photo your bike near the path to the water, it is possible to do this safely despite the yellow lines.

Sample Photo

Map

Name #5 - Kawhia

Coordinates: -38.062144, 174.826478

Description: By the Kawhia town sign

Sample Photo

Map

Name #6 - Huhu Cafe - Waitomo

Coordinates: -38.260405, 175.110581

Description: Park safely near the entrance to the Huhu Cafe

Sample Photo

Map

Name #7 - Opunake Library

Coordinates: -39.454803, 173.860262

Description: Park near the Opunake Library building

Sample Photo

Map

Name #8 - Wellington Sign

Coordinates: -41.314863, 174.810638

Description: Your bike in front of the Windy Wellington Sign

Sample Photo

Map

Name #9 - Martinborough

Coordinates: -41.218150, 175.459458

Description: Park across the road from the Martinborough Hotel in the central square and photo your bike in front of the hotel.

Sample Photo

Map

Name #10 - Napier - Containers

Coordinates: -39.482442, 176.920700

Description: Park across the road from the containers and the Seafarers Centre

Sample Photo

Map

Name #11 - Waihau Bay sign

Coordinates: -37.618850, 177.911942

Description: Pull safely off the main road to take a photo of your bike and the Waihau Bay sign.

Sample Photo

Map

Name #12 - Kuaotunu Bay Lodge (sign)

Coordinates: -36.727100, 175.709258

Description: Park safely in the driveway for the lodge and photograph your bike and their sign

Sample Photo

Map

Name #13 - Marsden Point (North Port gates)

Coordinates: -35.838978, 174.486375

Description: End of the highway, you'll arrive at North Port, find a safe place to park next to their main sign and photo your bike with it.

Sample Photo

Map

Name #14 - Paihia - Wee toilet

Coordinates: -35.282183, 174.092728

Description: This little toilet on the waterfront in Paihia might be a little tricky to park right next to, it's safe, but if it's busy you might get moved on, see what you can do.

Sample Photo

Map

Notes on Routing

These notes assume an anti-clockwise route, but you can do the loop in either direction. While the intention of the ride is to explore this specific type of 'Ride-Around' route, one which finds the closest path to the periphery of the island using the State Highway network, the following specific allowances are offered in order to make this extreme ride, more enjoyable:

Between CP3 (Waimauku RSA) and CP4 (Raglan):
- When passing through Auckland airport area, do NOT take SH20A or SH20B, this will add nothing to your ride.
- When South of Auckland, avoid SH22. SH22 runs from Drury, to Tuacau. South of Tuacau is not SH22, but just Highway 22. This is no longer a necessary part of this route. - You may continue south on SH1 towards Hamilton and exit onto SH39, then at Whatawhata take SH23 to Raglan.
Between CP9 (Martinborough) and CP10 (Napier):
- Do not feel that you have to return back through Featherston on SH53 to rejoin SH2 - instead you can cut through to Greytown.
- I chose to follow SH51 through Hastings, and into the South of Napier, through Clive - this was to be a purest in terms of the 'Ride Around' intent, but it added nothing to the ride other than slow, urban roads and congestion. You will not be penalised if you continue on SH2 up to Napier, avoiding SH51. (This is similar to riding at the moment of the Equinox / Solstice on a Four Seasons ride, in my view, do it if you want to, but you don't have to).

Tips - Plan your ride timing to avoid:

- Tourist traffic going to Cape Reinga.
- Auckland, Wellington, Napier, Gisborne and Tauranga rush-hours.

Nesting other rides

This ride requires a minimum of 3,200km within 50 hours, you may nest other rides within this, or nest this within others that would normally be permitted within the standard nesting rules.

Merchandise

There is no additional merchandise for this ride.