RIDING FROM VISION TO REALITY
After years of planning, Waipu Mountain Bike Club is entering the next chapter of its mission to put the region firmly on the map as a premier cycling destination.
The Waipu Mountain Bike Club was formed by a group of local riders who saw an opportunity hiding in plain sight – rugged, beautiful terrain right on Waipu's doorstep, and a growing appetite for quality mountain biking across Bream Bay and the wider Northland region. Led by President Paul Sheehan, alongside committee members Ari Carrington, Jenni Mansell and Simon Holbrook, the club is a registered charity based in Waipu, responding directly to community demand highlighted through Whangārei District Council consultation.
The club's purpose goes well beyond trails. It's about creating genuine opportunities for families, young people and riders of every level to build skills, fitness and community connection.
Waipu is well placed for the task – just 30 minutes south of Whangārei and 90 minutes north of Auckland, with the existing 8.5km Waipū Walk and Cycleway already linking the town to Waipū Cove. The club's focus is on developing dedicated mountain bike trails, with a long-term vision of graded trails, skills areas, and family-friendly riding woven into the wider recreation network – a genuine, lasting asset for the region.
Central to getting there is the Waipu Gravel Muster, a new gravel cycling event launching on Saturday 27 February 2027. Riders will take on routes from 35km to 87km through rural roads, forestry and farmland, showcasing Waipu's landscape to cyclists from across the country. Beyond the ride itself, the Muster is designed to raise funds for trail development, build relationships with sponsors and landowners, and establish itself as an annual signature event alongside existing local institutions like the Waipu Highland Games.
The vision is ambitious but clear: a Waipu recognised nationally for mountain biking, gravel riding and outdoor adventure, backed by the town's coastal charm, heritage and growing hospitality scene. The 2027 Gravel Muster marks a defining step – building profile, funding and community support along the way.
With strong partnerships and steady, staged development, Waipu Mountain Bike Club is laying the groundwork for something that will benefit the whole region for generations to come.