Now that the Puhoi to Warkworth section of the motorway has been completed, we can now ride the old SH1 with less traffic on it.

Starting at the Auckland museum, the course follows the North Western cycle path out to Westgate, and then turns east towards Greenhith. Following Upper Harbour Drive, the course turns left at the Alban Highway, before reconnecting onto the SH18 Cycleway. Another turn left at Constellation drive, gets you onto the Northern Pathway, to Greville Road.  Turn left onto East Coast Road, and head North, with a bit of a dog leg to meet the kms at Wilks Road. Using bike paths and back roads through Silverday, rejoin the Twin Coast Highway at Orewa River, and continue North along the Old SH1.  At Warkworth, stop for a breather, before returning back to Auckland along SH1.

At Dairy Flat, continue up to Albany Heights road, to return back to East Coast Road. At East Coast road, follow the same course back into Central Auckland. 

The last leg follows the Light path down to the waterfront, and around to the university, using the bike paths. There is a loop-de-loop to get back onto Grafton Bridge, and back to the museum.

Start time: 7am

Distance: 200kms

Vertical metres: 2,720m

Time limit: 13.5 hrs (8.30pm finish)

Course: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/52054336

Checkpoints:

Auckland museum: 0kms

Dairy Flat Bakery: 57kms

Warkworth: 98kms

Northcross Z Service Station: 154kms

Auckland Museum: 200kms

Contact: kelvinrspicer@gmail.com

Article added: Tuesday 05 August 2025