Hawke’s Bay is the home of cycling in New Zealand, thanks to the abundance of accessible trails, quiet country circuits, its rolling terrain and Mediterranean climate. Since 1982, The Hub Cycle Centre has promoted and supported cycling in the Bay and continues that commitment today.
Here’s some information on local clubs and rides to get you on your bike and riding.
ROAD
Ramblers is one of New Zealand’s largest and oldest cycling clubs dating back to the 1890s. More than 150 members compete across eight grades, so you can ride with others of similar ability and fitness. The weekly Saturday club races operate all year rain or shine, and often attracts more than 80 riders.
MOUNTAIN BIKING
Te Mata Peak
'The Peak' behind Havelock North has designated MTB trails and several shared tracks. It is known for it's tech and steeps and is home to one of the first MTB tracks in New Zealand. The Peak now has some machine built flow tracks built in 2016 and 2017 with updated track info here. The best access is from the Tauroa Road Carpark. Several reserves in Havelock North also have good tech tracks.
Eskdale
The Hawke’s Bay Mountain Bike Club(HBMTBC) is the largest mountain bike club in NZ. Pan Pac Eskdale MTB Park is ten minutes north of Napier and set within 356ha of forest. The park has 80km of purpose-built cross country and free-ride / downhill trails, plus 25km of forestry roads that cater to riders of all abilities. Entry is by permit only (available for purchase in store). Annual membership is available on HBMTBC’s website.
Other Parks, Tracks and Pumptrack info in Hawke's Bay can be found here.
Te Iringa
Te Iringa is a favourite Grade 5 backcountry ride in Beech Forest in the Kaimanawas, off the Napier-Taupo Road. DOC has linked to our blog posts about the ride.
MULTISPORT
The club’s website has helpful tips on getting started and training programmes. Tri HB is a triathlon and duathlon-based club. Triathlons are based at Pandora Pond in Napier and a duathlon series in run during winter in Havelock North.
The club’s website has helpful tips on getting started and training programmes.
CYCLOCROSS
CXHB allow all types of bikes, but elite races require a bike with traditional drop-road handlebars and a maximum tyre width of 35mm. Knobbly tyres are used for grip, and cantilever-style brakes for clearance in muddy conditions are typical. Cyclocross Hawke's Bay (CXHB) runs a five-race series over winter and spring for all grades. Cross (or CX) is gaining popularity in New Zealand, having been adopted from Northern Europe where it is popular during the colder months. Races are held on a 2-3km circuits and go for about 30-60 minutes. The distance raced varies for each course and conditions on the day. Terrain consists of a mixture of grass, single track, paths, asphalt, gravel road, mud, stairs and barriers to jump, meaning riders need to dismount and carry their bikes over obstacles and up steep sections, then remount. CXHB hosted the 2012 New Zealand Championships at EIT in Taradale.
BMX
BMX is an excellent way to develop skills that transfer to other cycling disciplines so is an ideal introduction into the world of competitive cycling for kids. BMX went through a huge growth phase in the 1980s with BMX tracks hosting races throughout Hawke’s Bay. Sadly many local tracks went into disrepair in the 1990s but there has been a revival with local club Hawke’s Bay BMX Club Inc (HBMX) building a new track on Romanes Drive in Havelock North. The club hosts training on Wednesday evenings at 6pm.
There is also a dirt jump park and pump track in Taradale, and more pump tracks on Marine Parade and beside the Clive River.
PATHWAYS
The pathways link Napier and Hastings with coastal settlements and form Heretaunga Ararau – the land of a hundred pathways. The off-road pathways are made up of hard-packed limes, and many of them run along the top of stop banks, giving great views over the Heretaunga Plains. Hawke's Bay has over 180km of on-road and off-road trails that offer safe cycling for all abilities and family. They offer a range of riding options from shorter 1-2 hour rides through to a full 187km riding experience.
The trails are part of Nga Haerenga, the New Zealand Cycle Trail project, with three distinct sections forming a ‘Great Ride’ in the region: the Landscapes Ride, the Water Ride and the Wineries Ride.
The rides offer a range of scenery from mountainous lookouts and beautiful lowland rivers toendangered wetland wildlife and great views of the sweeping Hawke’s Bay coastline. There are also many places to stop along the way for coffee and ice cream, and you can visit many of our world-class wineries.
Map
Hawke's Bay Trails Page
NZ Cycle Trails - Hawke's Bay Page
COMMUTING & CITY
iWay is a programme aimed at increasing the number of people walking and biking to work, school or for fun in the Hastings District. The Hastings District Council was awarded $4million from the New Zealand Transport Agency as part of the Model Community Project to fund new and improved cycle lanes, develop commuter-specific routes, upgrade roads and conduct community safety programs.
Within two years over 108 km of new walking and cycling pathways were constructed, including 4 key “arterial” routes that link the communities of Flaxmere, Hastings, Havelock North and Clive.
In June 2012 NZTA decided invest an additional $11m to increase network links to further improve safety, and to extend school promotions and educational campaigns.
