Dave Palmer has already started preparing. Photo / www.marathon-photos.com
Cyclists young and old will put their feet to their pedals at the 38th Contact Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge on November 29.
The event is best known for its 160km Bike Barn Solo, the one-lap circumnavigation of Lake Taupo, which takes the average rider just a touch under six hours to conquer, but the event has 20 categories, including road and mountain bike courses for individuals and teams, which cater to all ages and abilities.
"The mainstay is very much about participation and is non-competitive," says event director Kay Brake.
Grandad Dave Palmer, a 63-year-old coffee business owner from Taupo, has already started training, riding 250km to 400km a week, weather-dependent.
"It's an iconic event that's pretty special. I love it for the challenge, scenery and for the thrill of it," he says.
He adds that the scenery includes the lake, snow-capped mountains and even a volcanic rocky vista.
He loves that it can get "a bit hairy" on the 160km course. He says big bunches of cyclists can get "nose-to-tail and racing along at up to 40km/h".
Palmer loves the buzz in town around the event and that it attracts cycle enthusiasts nationwide - and from up to 20 countries. And, of course, his business makes a record number of coffees during the weekend.
This will be his 12th time taking on the round-the-lake challenge. He has done it 10 times solo, once on a tandem bike and last year he entered the event's accumulator (progressive relay) category. He has signed up for the latter again this year because he likes the team and relay-style approach (each team member is picked up at different points around the lake and then they all finish together - so the strongest rider can start first and often leads the pack and helps with drafting).
Palmer's team More FM got second place in this category last year and were just four minutes behind the winning team from Pahiatua. His personal best time around the lake solo is 4hr 38mins, which he is chuffed about. The fastest time, by the way (in the race's new format which came into effect in 2011) has been Mike Northey clocking 3:45:14 in the Men's Classic Elite race.
The event started in 1977 with just 26 riders, friends of local identity Walter de Bont, who reckoned it would be fun to ride around the lake as a charity fundraiser. It was a relaxed ride with plenty of pit-stops. However, it has since morphed into the country's largest cycling event.
Most years therehas been an increase in participants and organisers predict more than 8000 cyclists this year. This sees about 800 volunteers helping out before, during and after the event to make this a safe and successful day in Taupo's growing event calendar.
Over the years, many Olympic athletes, top cyclists, people overcoming personal and physical difficulties, to those riding in memory of loved ones have been inspired to participate. Some even lap the lake up to six times.
Organisers note that three quarters of entrants tend to be men. But more families and children are starting to enter the smaller distance events, too.
The event is run by a non-profit trust and surplus funds are returned to the community or education projects. Its nominated charity is Heart Kids, which provides practical and emotional support to children with heart defects and their families through counselling, CPR training, camps, medical equipment and much more.
Each week in New Zealand 12 babies needing this charity's help are born with heart defects. Last year, the Taupo cycling event raised more than $45,000 for the charity.
The International cycling Union added the Contact Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge to the Golden Bike Series in 2006, recognising that it is one of the six best recreational rides in the world.
Online entries are open now at cyclechallenge.com.
Size matters. Whatever type of bike, it's important to get the right fit. Yes, you might be a bit saddle-sore to start but this gets better. A road bike is best for distance but if it's not set up properly you could end up with pain in the groin, hands, fingers, neck or shoulders as well as the butt. Get your bike fitted and adjusted - ask for a safety check and learn how to repair a puncture, too.
• Set realistic goals - this is fun, not a chore.
• Start doing small distances over a range of terrain.
• Check the weather and make sure you have the right clothes. Stay warm.
• Make certain you can be seen - dark gear is very difficult to see.
• If you feel tired, rest - there's plenty of time to get cycle challenge fit.
This week, add 10kms to your training routine for the Taupo Cycle Challenge on November 29. If possible, buddy up with others and go for a long slow ride together. This gets you used to bunch riding and more experienced riders can share tips and cycling etiquette. While training it's important to vary the distances and terrain - on shorter rides try to hold a steady pace and spin around 85-90RPM for most of the ride. If the weather is foul, go to a spin class.
• Cycling is a lot easier if you understand your gears, especially on hills. You will cycle more efficiently, comfortably and get a good rhythm going.
• Learn to change gears smoothly and before the terrain makes you.
• To pedal well you need to have an equal distribution of effort through pushing and pulling.
• Keep your knees over your toes, not splaying outwards.
• If you bounce in the seat when pedalling fast there's too much effort on the push and not enough on the pull.
* Online entries are open now at cyclechallenge.com
- Lianne Fraser