Cycling festival for Waipa¯
A five-day cycling festival in late-January will showcase the best of Waipa¯’s cultural and natural heritage.
In recognition of Waipa¯ District Council’s support of the Three Peaks Ride: New Zealand Cycling Festival, the fivestages of the UCI 2.2 Grassroots Trust New Zealand Cycle Classic road race have been named to reflect the history of the area. The race is being held in Waipa¯ from 23-27 January 2019.
Waipa¯ mayor Jim Mylchreest said each stage will share part of Waipa¯’s history.
“Each stage of the Cycle Classic tours a different part of our district, giving athletes and spectators the chance to take in some of our unique landscapes and an opportunity for us to share our rich past.”
Celebrating Waipa¯’s heritage is a key focus for Council over the next 10 years as it works towards building Te Ara Wai, a discovery centre in the heart of Te Awamutu.
This centre will connect Waipa¯ ’s heritage sites and the stories associated with each.
“Whether it is a peat bog or New Zealand Land Wars battle site, we want to take the opportunity now to share these significant sites which make-up the story of Waipa¯ .
“We are lucky to live in one of the most attractive parts of New Zealand and it’s fantastic to share it with the world.”
Racing will begin in Cambridge, with five stages taking the race to Roto-o-rangi, Lake Kara¯piro, Te Awamutu and Maungakawa before the final stage through the Cambridge township.
Grassroots Trust New Zealand Cycle Classic Stage one: Lost lake loop Cambridge, Kaipaki, Roto-o-rangi, Leamington (two laps of circuit)
Set among land that was originally around 14,000ha of peat bog, this stage takes you over rolling farmlands, past the remaining peat lakes of O¯ haupo¯ and through to the lost lake of Roto-o-rangi. Ride through the productive soils of Waipa¯ .
Stage two: Hydro heat Cambridge, Roto-o-rangi, Pukeatua, Lake Kara¯ piro
Ride the path of hydroenergy in Waipa¯ . Take in the rolling farmlands of Roto-orangi before you hit the Waikato River. Riders make their way from Lake Arapuni, past Horahora and finish at the last hydro installation at Lake Kara¯ piro — home to a wealth of both European and Ma¯ori history.
Stage three: Te ara roa — the long road
Te Awamutu, Parawera, Wharepapa South, Ko¯rakonui, Waikeria, Te Kawa, Po¯ kuru, Te Awamutu
The longest of the five stages, this race goes from Te Awamutu past the historic frontier town of Kihikihi. Looping around through the O¯ torohanga district, riders return past Mt Kakepuku and finish back in the centre of Te Awamutu.
Stage four: Te Piki — the climb
Cambridge, Pukemoremore, Richmond Downs, Hobbiton Movie Set, Kara¯piro Rd, Maungakawa Hill, Te Miro, Maungakawa Hill
This race circles the maunga, Pukemako. Take in the Hobbiton Movie Set as you make your way around the stage, finishing with a tough climb to the peak formerly known as Maungakawa Scenic Reserve and often referred to by locals as Sanatorium Hill.
Stage five: Circuit of champions
Cambridge circuit — riders will do eight laps of each circuit, total distance per circuit 8km
Journey through the town of trees and be charmed by Cambridge. The town had a strong Ma¯ ori history before it was settled by Europeans as a military town following the New Zealand Land Wars.
In June, Council committed $100,000 per year for three years to the week-long festival of cycling, a chance for the community to see some of the world’s best riders in action. The festival aims to encourage people of all ages and abilities to get out and cycle more regularly.
■ More information about each of the stages at www.waipadc.govt.nz