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CYCLING IN AND AROUND CAMBRIDGE

Bike Hike Stay – Discover Our Backyard

Bike, hike, encounter, experience, explore: there’s no limit to your choices for adventure in New Zealand.  Bike Hike Stay are local tour operators based in Cambridge, but travel New Zealand with you to discover its beauty.   From 1-day adventures to 14 day + tours,  Bike Hike Stay offer:

Guided tours (Set or customised to fit your requirements)
Shuttle service
Attraction bookings
Personalised advice and expert local knowledge

Whether you are looking for a unique cultural experience or an enriching discovery of our natural wonders by foot or bike, a customised tour package can be created to suit your individual needs.

Your hostess Greta brings her wealth of local knowledge and experience to every tour. Discover the best of the Waikato with Bike Hike Stay!

Bike Tours & Hire – Riverside Adventures


BIKE TOURS

  • Guided half day Karāpiro Tour (8yrs+) 3hrs
    2 Options (Beginner, 18kms Te Awa River Ride or Intermediate, 12kms Waikato River Trail)
    $99 p/p (with own bike)
    $139 p/p (with bike hire – can be upgraded to E-bike for $50 p/p)

  • 2-Day Te Awa Cruiser (8yrs+)
    min. 2x people.
    From $595 p/p incl. 
    E-bike hire

  • 2-Day Te Awa Pedal and Paddle(8yrs+) min. 2x people
    From $1,095 p/p Incl. E-bike hire

  • 4- Day Central Stunner (8yrs+)
    min 2x people.
    From $1,575 p/p

  • 4-Day Hauraki Rail Trail  (8yrs+)
    min 2x people.
    From $1,449 p/p incl. mountain bike hire

Note: All tours are self-guided (unless otherwise stated)
2day – 4 day Tours includes accommodation, breakfasts, some if not all breakfasts, (lunch and dinner – depending on chosen tour). Luggage and Baggage transfers.

 

BIKE HIRE

MOUNTAIN BIKES 
1/2 day $39 
Full day $59

  • GT Avalanche Comp  XS – XL

  • 10 speed

  • Helmet

  • Drink holders

  • First aid kit

  • Tube and puncture repair kit

E-BIKES
2 hours $60
1/2 day $80
Full day $120

  • Gepida Berig & KTM Macina Team mid-drive bikes with Bosch motors

  • Helmet

  • First aid kit

  • Tube and puncture repair kit

  • pre-hire safety induction

Grassroots Trust Velodrome ‘Have a Go’ sessions

'Have a Go' at riding the Velodrome

If you’ve never ridden on the Grassroots Trust Velodrome and want to give it a try, then yes, absolutely, you can Have-a-Go!

We offer introductory sessions to give anyone the chance to have a go at track cycling. This could be your first ever go on a velodrome and can be a one-off taster session to see if it’s for you; maybe the start of your process to gaining full track accreditation, or just something that you want to tick off your bucket list, so to speak. Whatever your reason, we make it doable and easy.

Our Have-a-Go session is a one-hour, track-based session which provides you with basic knowledge on how to ride a track bike and the opportunity to experience riding on the velodrome. One of our accredited and experienced Grassroots Trust Velodrome coaches will fit you with a bike and helmet and will expertly guide you at your pace, through your session on the track.

Don’t worry, at this stage you won’t be heading way up and experiencing the full banking of the track… but it will give you a taste of what to expect. And yes, anyone can do it – provided you are at least 10yrs old and 135cm (for safety reasons, so you can reach the pedals and handlebars on our bikes).

Not for you, rather someone else you know? Enquire about our Have-a-Go gift vouchers.

$25 per person.  Includes a one hour session, bike, helmet and coach.  Please note: We need a minimum of five people to run a Have a Go session. Bookings are essential and need to be made at least 24 hours in advance. We do allow bookings on the day if there is space and enough people for the session to go ahead.

Grassroots Trust Velodrome has a Have-a-Go session running regularly at weekends, with sessions on a Saturday and Sunday morning that are available for individuals to book.

Check our track schedule on the website www.velodrome.nz/have-a-go/ to see dates and times – just look for the blue Have-a-Go sessions.

Group bookings of 5 or more can be made at other times on request. Simply phone us on (07) 823 1421 / 0800 VELODROME to arrange.

Grassroots Trust Velodrome Guided Tour

Discover Waikato’s newest sports & leisure facility with a guided tour.

Take a guided tour of the Grassroots Trust Velodrome, including an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at New Zealand’s high-performance set-up. Grab yourself a spot in the stands and watch New Zealand’s track cyclists train; if you’re lucky, you might even spot some of New Zealand’s Olympic heroes hanging around. No two days are the same here at the Velodrome.

We invite you to join us to find out more about our impressive facility and all it has to offer, with a private group guided tour.

Note: Private tour groups must have 10 or more people attending.

Price (per person)

Adult $20.00
Seniors and kids (U16) $15.00
*Kids 4 and under are free.
*Track and tour experience $35.00 PP (minimum of 10, maximum of 15 people)
*Trikes and tour experience $25.00 PP (minimum of 10)

To make a booking, please contact the functions
co-ordinator at functions@velodrome.nz.

07 823 1421
E reception@velodrome.nz
velodrome.nz
15 Hanlin Road, Cambridge

River Riders’ e-bike Rentals

Conveniently headquartered at the iconic Hamilton Gardens, River Riders invites you to delve into an extraordinary journey along the renowned Te Awa The Great NZ River Ride. While rooted in Hamilton, we offer an unmatched experience that seamlessly connects the beauty of Hamilton Gardens with the allure of Cambridge and the rest of the cycle trail.

Imagine yourself gliding along every bend of the Waikato River, surrounded by nature’s splendor and the cultural echoes of the region. Our premier e-bike rentals are your gateway to exploration, whether you’re an avid cyclist or a leisure seeker, you’ll become an electric explorer.

Our e-bikes redefine exploration, effortlessly transporting you through the captivating Waikato landscapes. We operate a unique bike drop-off and pick-up service in Cambridge and Ngaruawahia, ensuring you experience all 65km of Te Awa without constraints. We can organise a shuttle for those looking to be transported along the trail and accommodation for those looking to do the trail and more over two or three days.

Pedal along the Mighty Waikato River, where history, culture, and nature converge, enveloped by serene views and fresh air. Our team is committed to curating memorable experiences, offering well-maintained e-bikes and local insights with cultural tours to enhance your adventure.

Reserve your e-bike today with River Riders and embrace an unforgettable exploration along the Waikato River. With the power to move, your next chapter of discovery begins here!

P 027 265 5504
rentals@riverriders.co.nz
riverriders.co.nz
River Riders (Hamilton Gardens) Hamilton Gardens Road, Hamilton East, Hamilton

Te Awa River Ride – the Great NZ River Ride

An enjoyable safe way to explore beyond the town
Cambridge is at the heart of the world-class 65km Te Awa River Ride. The longest concrete trail in NZ, Te Awa winds its way from Ngaruawahia through to Lake Karāpiro on a 3m wide smooth concrete trail, boardwalks and bridges. Taking in stunning views and parts of the Waikato River never before seen by the public, the Te Awa River Ride is achievable for all ages and abilities by bike or by foot and as many kilometres as you like!

Short sections from Cambridge include:

  • Cambridge to Karāpiro (8km) – access via Leamington Rugby Club on Carlyle Street

  • Gaslight Theatre to Velodrome (3.5km)

  • Velodrome to Hooker Rd (7.5km)

  • Gaslight Theatre to Hamilton (15.5km) – access via Alpha Street

Ride Cambridge -

New Zealand’s Home of Cycling

If cycling is your language, road, track, trail, BMX, gravel or family cruisers, Cambridge speaks it fluently.

Known nationwide as the Home of Cycling, Cambridge is where everyday riders share streets and trails with Olympians, where world-class facilities sit alongside café-lined cycleways, and where you can ride hard, ride scenic, or ride slow with the kids — all in one destination.

This is a town built around two wheels.

A Town Made for Bikes

Ditch the car and explore Cambridge the best way possible, by bike. Wide, cycle-friendly paths, green corridors, calm 40km/h zones and well-connected routes make it effortlessly easy to get around town on two wheels. Bike racks are everywhere, cafés are bike-friendly, and stopping for a flat white mid-ride is practically part of the culture.

The iconic Te Awa River Ride runs right through town, linking the Grassroots Trust Velodrome to Lake Karapiro with stunning riverside views. Smooth, wide, fully sealed and safe, it’s ideal for leisure riders, families, commuters and long-haul adventurers alike.

No bike? No problem. Hire bikes and e-bikes locally and roll straight into your Cambridge ride.

Ride with the Pros (Literally)

Cambridge is home to one of the world’s best indoor cycling venues — the Grassroots Trust Velodrome.

Here, international championsworld champions and olympians train year-round — and visitors can too. Book a “Have-a-Go” session and experience the thrill of riding the boards, guided by expert staff. If you can ride a bike, you can ride the Velodrome. It’s fast, fun, and unforgettable.

This is elite cycling — accessible.

Everything a Cyclist Needs

Cambridge makes travelling with a bike easy:

  • Bike and e-bike hire (including kids’ gear and accessories)

  • Local bike shops for servicing, parts and advice

  • Rider-friendly accommodation

  • Cafés and eateries that welcome muddy shoes and helmet hair

Cyclists aren’t visitors here; they’re part of the town.

Take The Scenic Route

Cambridge sits at the heart of some of the North Island’s most scenic road cycling. Quiet country roads, rolling terrain and punchy climbs create endless route options — whether you’re chasing distance, elevation or a perfect training loop.

Ride around Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari, head out toward Te Miro or up the gut-busting Mangakawa Hill, or take on longer loops that regularly host national and international cycling events. Ride solo, ride social, or ride like you’re lining up for the Nationals.

Cambridge is the gateway to some of the Waikato’s most celebrated cycling experiences.

The world-class 65km Te Awa River Ride runs right through town on a fully sealed, 3-metre-wide concrete trail, linking seamlessly with the wider network of river paths.

Just beyond, the Waikato River Trails deliver a more challenging but equally spectacular 105km journey following the mighty Waikato River through dramatic landscapes and historic sites.

Ride each trail in a day if you’re feeling fit, or turn them into a relaxed multi-day adventure with plenty of accommodation, transport and bike-hire options along the way. Think swing bridges, hydro dams, lakeside views and riverside cafés — this is cycling tourism done right.

Top 10 Road Cycling Routes

Free road cycling routes created by cyclists for cyclists

1. Double Loop Route

Distance: 62km
ASC: 808
Grade: 3

View Map

2. Hobbiton Movie Set Route

Distance: 95km
ASC: 828
Grade: 4

View Map

3. Kaipaki Mystery Creek Route

Distance: 34km
ASC: 256
Grade: 1

View Map

4. Ngahinapouri Route

Distance: 74km
ASC: 342
Grade: 3

View Map

5. Rev 60 Route

Distance: 61km
ASC: 488
Grade: 2

View Map

6. Rev 100 Route

Distance: 104km
ASC: 889
Grade: 3

View Map

7. Te Awa Karapiro Route

Distance: 44km
ASC: 598
Grade:1

View Map

8. Te Awamutu Route

Distance: 74km
ASC: 398
Grade: 3

View Map

9. Te Maunga Route

Distance: 79km
ASC: 808
Grade: 3

View Map

10. Te Miro Route

Distance: 44km
ASC: 511
Grade: 1

View Map

Dirt and Jumps

From first pedals to full send, Cambridge caters for every generation of rider.

Known nationwide as the Home of Cycling, Cambridge is where everyday riders share streets and trails with Olympians, where world-class facilities sit alongside café-lined cycleways, and where you can ride hard, ride scenic, or ride slow with the kids — all in one destination.

This is a town built around two wheels.