Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge

Relay bikes being prepared for transport (2007).

Relay riders waiting for their teammates (2007).

The bagpiper on Hatepe Hill (2007).

Aftermath crowds on the Taupo Domain (2007).

The Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge is New Zealand's largest mass participation cycling event.^[1] First held in 1977, it circumnavigates Lake Taupo, a volcanic crater lake in the centre of the North Island. The ride starts and finishes in Taupo with one full circuit being approximately 160 km. Over 11,000 riders take part each year.^[2] It is the first event in Oceania to be included in the Union Cycliste Internationale's Golden Bike Series.

Categories

The event aims to cater for all riders, from the elite racers to those just wishing to make it around. This is reflected in the range of finishing times - from under 4 to 10 hours. Riders are asked to nominate finishing times and staggered starts are used to group riders by ability.

Subcategories of the event are (2013 data):^[3]

• Solo: A one lap circuit of Lake Taupo for individual riders. Approximately 160 km.
• Relay: For teams of two, three or four riders, where individuals ride 40 km sections of the 160 km main course.
• Progressive Relay: For teams four riders. The first rider collects each subsequent rider from relay interchange points, with all four riders crossing the finish line together.
• Huka: Mountain bike challenges of 35 km or 85 km, and an 85 km elite licensed rider race.
• Lakesider: A 16 km leisure ride, mostly off road.
• Enduro: An option for individuals who ride multiple laps of the lake circuit (normally either two, four or eight, - this is certified as a qualifying brevet for Paris–Brest–Paris and RAAM).
• Kids @Heart: An option for children under 10, a 5 km distance into Taupo, organised by the @Heart charity foundation.
• Men's Classic: An official BikeNZ sanctioned race. Participants set off before the rest of the riders, competing in a full-on race, with a current racing license required, and entry limited to 100 riders. Riders must have a previous best time in the main event of under 4:30.
• Women's Road Race: A women's only 100 km race from Taupo to Turangi and return.

Records

• Fastest Round the Lake (male): Peter Latham 3:43 (2008 Classic winner)
• Fastest Round the Lake (female): Susy Pryde 3:57 (1999) ^[4]

References

1. "Injuries dog Taupo cycle race". Herald on Sunday. 27 November 2005. Retrieved 13 October 2011.
2. Griffin, Peter (11 October 2007). "All in the timing for radio tag team". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 13 October 2011.
3. "Great lake bike ride". The New Zealand Herald. 8 November 2005. Retrieved 13 October 2011.
4. Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge - Cycle records"

External links

• Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge (official event website)