Events have it all - whether your goal is to challenge yourself, meet other cyclists or explore new trails or roads. Designed to take advantage of the Kiwi outdoors mentality and lifestyle, there are events on almost every weekend in New Zealand catering for practically every interest and ability:
- Beginners through to experienced cyclists
- Recreation to high performance
- Kids through to veterans
- Short rides through to multi-day tours
- On or off road
BikeNZ works with our Member Organisations to deliver a number of national and international events and partners with some of New Zealand's leading event promoters to bring you some great riding opportunities. Our member organisations, Cycling NZ, Mountain Bike NZ, BMX NZ and Schools Cycling also run an extensive range of club events and activities. There are also private event promoters, rotary clubs, schools and other organisations running events through out the country all year round - there will almost always be one to choose from!
There will always be debate over which are THE iconic rides to do in New Zealand - but the only way to really know which is your favourite event is to get out and do them all! Now there's a challenge!
To try and assist with your planning, BikeNZ is soon to launch an Endorsed Promoter programme - a little like the healthy heart tick - where you'll be able to find the endorsed promoter logo, and know the event promoter (and event) has met certain criteria around safety and event management standards.
To explore upcoming events and to find event entry forms and results, please search the event calendar – you’re sure to find an event that matches your interest!
Event Types
What ever kind of bike you ride, you can almost bet there is an event out there for you!
Events Just for Fun!
While the more competitive events probably get more profile and publicity than the pure recreational rides, events doesn't always mean results and times! There are plenty of events which are aimed at families and beginners and are a fantastic place to start as they can provide you with a safe environment to just get out on your bike!
BikeNZ is involved a number of non competitive events in New Zealand including the Big Coast Mountain Bike Adventure
Recreational Events
The recreational events market is booming in New Zealand! While most provide event timing and offer position based prizes, and some even have an elite race integrated, the majority of recreational events are aimed at the average punter getting out and setting their own challenges and goals.
Over seventy-five thousand of us, from kids to veterans, took part in events last year; twelve thousand in a single event, the internationally recognized Contact Lake Taupo Challenge.
Recreational Events are being delivered all up and down the country by cycling clubs, private event promoters, schools, regional sports trusts, Rotary clubs with the same goals in mind - getting more people out on their bike, promoting regions and healthy lifestyles and giving back to their communities.
Adventure Racing Coromandel and Kona Colville Connection both run events in the beautiful Coromandel region in the North Island for thousands of riders. And both have a fantastic policy of giving back to this region. ARC donates the net proceeds of their events to the Spirit of the Coromandel Trust which aims to support and encourage people (particularly youngsters) into sporting and outdoor pursuits. Proceeds from the Kona Colville Connection has provided much needed new equipment and resources to the local school where the event is based. And they're not alone - events all round New Zealand are boosting communities through both economic and lifestyle opportunity benefits.
Competitive Events
For those of you who just love the thrill of racing and knowing you've beaten your previous times, there are competitive events which are a little bit more serious than the average Recreational event. Competitive events are typically run under UCI (International Cycling Union, our international governing body) rules and have commissaires officiating to ensure the races are run fairly and within the rules.
Most clubs and centres run competitive events regularly as well as local, regional and National championships. You may need to hold a licence to compete in these events.
Check out the Find a Club page to find a club closest to you.
National Championships
BMX
National Championships - www.bikenz.org.nz/bmxnats
Northern Region, Sunset Coast, 2-4 April 2010
North Island Titles - www.bikenz.org.nz/bmxnits
Waikato Region to be held at Cambridge 24th & 25th October
Central Region, Rotorua, 23-24 October 2010
South Island Titles - www.bikenz.org.nz/bmxsits
Mainland South Region, Dunedin, 27 - 28 February 2010
MOUNTAIN BIKE
National Championships - www.bikenz.org.nz/mtbnats
To be held 26 Feb-1st March 2010
Island Cups - www.bikenz.org.nz/mtbcups
Various dates and venues across NZ during Jan & Feb 2010
Oceania Championships - www.bikenz.org.nz/mtboceas
To be held 19-21 March 2010 in NZ (held every 2 years in NZ)
ROAD
Elite & U23 Road Champs - www.bikenz.org.nz/eliteroads
Christchurch 8 - 10 January 2010
Christchurch 7 - 9 January 2011
Christchurch 6 - 8 January 2012
National Club Road Champs - www.bikenz.org.nz/clubroads
Nelson 21 - 24 October 2009
Hawkes Bay 29 April - 2 May 2010
National Crit Champs - www.bikenz.org.nz/critnats
Hawkes Bay 27 September 2009
Auckland 12 December 2010
Oceania Road Champs - www.bikenz.org.nz/road&trackoceas
Invercargill 11 - 15 November 2009 (held every 2 years in NZ)
TRACK
Madison Nat Champs - www.bikenz.org.nz/madisonnats
Invercargill 8 October 2009
Elite Track National Champs - www.bikenz.org.nz/elitetrack
Invercargill 10 - 13 February 2010
U19, Masters & Paracycling Track National Champs - www.bikenz.org.nz/tracknats
Invercargill 1 - 6 March 2010
Oceania Track Champs - www.bikenz.org.nz/road&trackoceas
Invercargill 11 - 15 November 2009 (held every 2 years in NZ)
SCHOOLS
Click here to see Schools calendar of events
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