Cambridge is a good sized country town 20 minutes from Hamilton metropolis – we are here to see friends and to explore some of the Te Awa River Ride Waikato River Trails we have heard so much about. In between rides, we can explore the galleries, cafēs and antique shops that line the main street.
Te Awa River ride towards Hamilton via the Velodrome
An easy gentle ride to the Velodrome – a wide concrete path through farmland, and Te Arikirua Pa. A short detour to the Velodrome will reward you with great coffee.
After the Velodrome, the trail becomes a bit more challenging, with some fantastic bridge constructions providing access over gullies. Not quite finished all the way to Hamilton, but when it is – wow!
Te Awa River ride to lake Karapiro
Very easy ride on wide concrete pathway beside the road – easy riding but boring with a lovely cafe at the Lake.
Town and Country
Our host took us on some back tracks across Cambridge and into the surrounding rural areas – easy on road riding with little traffic. Back to St Kilda for coffee – this new suburb has very wide concrete paths – great for pedestrians and bikes.
Why Concrete?
I was surprised they had built these trails out of concrete, but it turns out the council bought a machine built for the purpose from the USA – concrete in one end and out the other a 3 metre wide cycleway – all without boxing. Very impressive.
