Options Galore for Riders of all Capabilities in New Zealand’s Biggest Cycling Challenge

Riding NZ’s benchmark cycling event kicks off with a single turn of the pedal!



Fun and camaraderie are the order of the day at the
Contact Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge –
Photo credit: Photo Supplied by NZ Road Cyclist,
Photographer Mead Norton

“Whether you’re a weekend warrior, a mountain bike enthusiast, an elite or enduro, cycle the café circuit with your mates, looking for some family fun or a weekend away with the girls, there’s a ride for you” says Event Director Kay Brake. The Contact Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge is the country’s largest cycling event, but it has retained its unique community appeal, and among its many participants are several teams of Rotarian riders.

Now into its 20^th year of Rotary stewardship owned and organised by the Rotary Club of Taupo Moana, this cycling challenge is refreshing its next event on November 29 by adding three new categories to its already exciting stable of cycling options. This event has come a long way since its first 26 participants 38 years ago! More than 8000 riders from NZ and 20 countries across the globe now take part each year.

Best known is the one lap 160-km Bike Barn Solo ride around Lake Taupo, the one lap circumnavigation of Lake Taupo, and this year’s new categories will add a new dimension and further options for even more cyclists to participate. The first newbie is the 73-km Half the Lake road relay for solo riders not quite up to the full round-the-lake who can hand-off to a team mate at the half way mark. Their bikes will be transported for them t ride the second half of the 160km circuit. The second of the new categories is the Urban Jungle MTB Challenge where riders can display their mountain bike skills on ramps and jumps. Third of the newbies for those wanting speed there is the novelty Time Trial event at a special, exciting track which will be held on the Friday afternoon before Cycle Challenge day which will be the perfect warm-up for the big ride on the Saturday.

Held on the last Saturday of every November, the Contact Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge event proceeds are returned to a range of community projects, with Heart Kids NZ (www.heartnz.org.nz) as the official charity.

Entries and further information are via www.cyclechallenge.com.


 

Celebrating 20 Years Of Endurance with Rotary

Garth Barfoot

It’s widely respected as New Zealand’s benchmark cycling event, and now in its 38^th year, the Contact Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge is celebrating a milestone in the events history. Since 1994 it has been owned and organised by the Rotary Club of Taupo Moana and involves over 800 local volunteers belonging to 25 groups who provide much needed support to the participants throughout the weekend.

It’s 20 years since the introduction of multiple lap enduro categories at the event. The Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge began in 1977 with just 26 participants! Today, the event has grown into NZ’s premier and largest cycling event, but it still retains a unique community feel. Best known for its one lap 160km bike ride around Lake Taupo, event organisers will be celebrating its endurance riders, and hope everyone will join with them in applauding these committed bunch of individuals.

Over the 20 years, there have been an incredible 1347 riders who have taken on 2 or more laps of Lake Taupo, covering a distance of up to 1600km.

Event Director Kay Brake says, “This year’s entrants in the Barfoot & Thompson 2 lap Enduro, 4 lap Maxi Enduro and 8 lap Extreme Enduro will all receive a special anniversary memento, with plans well underway for a an extra special Enduro breakfast showcasing the past 20 years . The Barfoot & Thompson 2 lap Enduro will again be recognised as this year’s UMCA (Ultra Marathon Cycling Associations) 200 mile World Championship event, last year won by kiwis Jim McMurray and Kim Hurst.”

Long-time supporter, enduro rider and naming rights partner to the enduro categories, 76 year old Garth Barfoot of Barfoot & Thompson fame comments “Barfoot & Thompson is proud to be behind such an iconic event and to align ourselves with the Enduro race, a race that I have raced several times in the past. We are proud to be part of the 20 years celebrations this year and we look forward to watching it grow in the years to come”

Held on the last Saturday of every November around the shores of Lake Taupo, the Contact Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge will celebrate its 38^th anniversary on Saturday the 29^th of November 2014. Proceeds from the event are returned to a range of community projects with Heart Kids NZ (http://www.heartnz.org.nz) as the official charity

Entries are available now at: www.cyclechallenge.com