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 International Cycling Union'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]

Records

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