KTM Rallye NZ Northland

The 2018 KTM Rallye rolled on to New Zealand’s North Island. Danny Wilkinson and his camera were there to capture, and enjoy, another world-class event.

- Danny Wilkinson

Rain. The kind that falls in waves and creates havoc for organisers of adventure rides.

That was the talk leading into the recent KTM Adventure

Rallye staged around the northern tip of New Zealand. There was so much of it that KTM ambassador Chris Birch mocked up a new aquatic goggle for the Power Parts catalogue.

Thankfully, the Kiwis are masters of building all-weather gravel roads. So, as the riders departed the seaside town of Paihia on the first morning, it was a relief to drop straight on to the ‘metal’ roads and find they offered a firm base and consistent traction. That wasn’t always the case during the week that followed, but the organisers did a great job of ensuring the standard route was achievable by all, even in testing conditions.

The same couldn’t be said of the various breakout options frequented by the talented local riders who thrived on the challenge.

Best laid plans

Essentially, the Rallye for 2018 was broken into two distinct sections. Initially it covered the remote branches of the Northland. Barry Reiher – many times a Kiwi motocross champ – and Mike Johansen put together some amazing tracks that traversed sandy pine forests, remote beaches and the wild coastline of Cape Reinga.

Cape Reinga, the northernmost accessible tip of New Zealand, is the visual meeting point of the Tasman Sea and the Pacific Ocean, and anyone standing at the lighthouse overlooking the turbulent waters can see how the place is steeped in Maori significance. Even as the rain flew in sideways and sheets of cloud blew through everyone, there was a certain sense of calm as the seals darted in and out of the waves crashing into the rocks way below.