Hamilton's Cycle Trails Prove Popular with Tourists

Stretching 425km from the slopes of Mount Ruapehu to the Tasman Sea at Port Waikato, the Waikato River is by far New Zealand’s longest river.

Known to many as the “Mighty Waikato”, the river is as historically important as it is beautiful.

The Great New Zealand River Ride winds its way alongside the Waikato River for 70km between Ngaruawahia and Karapiro.

Owner of Hamilton’s Argent Motor Lodge, Graeme Hunt, says the Waikato River cycle trails are popular among his guests and he often has people staying who have been drawn to Hamilton specifically to cycle the trails.

“We often have guests arriving with bikes,” says Graeme.   “They’ve come here to utilise the excellent cycle trails.  It’s great to see.”

The Hamilton City portion of the Great New Zealand River Ride runs for 10km through central Hamilton along the banks of the river between Pukete in the north and Hamilton Gardens in the south.  The track is well signposted and can be accessed at many points along the track.

Graeme says with Argent Motor Lodge’s location so close to the Hamilton Gardens it’s an easily accessible motel for cyclists who are either starting or ending their ride at the gardens.

“Hamilton has developed quite a reputation around cycling,” says Graeme, “especially with the Avantidrome being just down the road in Cambridge where prominent cyclists like Katie Schofield are based.”

Hamilton is relatively flat and the City River Ride is suitable for people of most fitness levels.  The Hamilton City Council has provided benches and grassy areas to stop and rest, picnic or admire the river along the way.

“The cycle trails are a great asset to Hamilton,” says Graeme, “not only for the tourists who come here to enjoy them but also for locals who can get around by bike.”

Contact Argent Motor Lodge:

Address: 27 Lorne Street, Hamilton, New Zealand

Phone: +64 7 843 9912/0800 275 676 (toll free within New Zealand)

Email: info@argenthamilton.co.nz

Website: www.argenthamilton.co.nz

Facebook: www.facebook.com/argentmotorlodge

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