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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

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.