Well, Leonie and I managed to do it in around 7h 12m, give or take. She had the first part of the course – hilly, and with a head wind (and 2 flat tyres!) and I got the last bit, which is a lot flatter, and I had a tail wind (cue cruising along at about 45k’s with almost no effort)
Lots of fun – I’m glad we did it, tho I’m not sure if I’d be lining up for doing it again. I like being out on the bike, but 3+ hours starts to lose the fun factor. Leonie has her comments up on it, too.
Stuff has an article up on it, but they tend to take things down within 24 hours, so here it is:
Big wind, bigger smiles at cycle challenge
27 November 2006
Hot blustery conditions could not wipe the smiles from 11,000 cyclists in the 30th annual Lake Taupo cycle challenge.
As thousands staggered across the finish line throughout Saturday afternoon – bow-legged, cramped and exhausted – few had regrets.
A westerly wind hampered progress for many on the first 80 kilometres, around the Western Bays side of the lake. Returning home from Turangi was easier with the tailwind.
Speeds dropped off only on the final 2km as cyclists headed into another headwind along the lakefront.
Cycle challenge spokeswoman Joce Moyle said the event had again proved popular and safe for everyone involved.
“We’re delighted with the attitude of the cyclists. Everyone was wellbehaved on the road.”
About $100,000 was raised for the Heart Children New Zealand fund.
Sir Richard Hadlee rode the last 5km with 35 children with congenital heart disease.
Australian competitor Charles Dennis rated the 160km event ahead of similar long-distance cycle races at home.
“I’ve done the Round the Bay in a day and there is no comparison,” he said, referring to Melbourne?s annual event.
“This beats it hands down. It is demanding but scenically it is an absolutely stunning race.”
Not content with one lap, he entered the 320km super-enduro section, setting off at 1am on Saturday to go around twice before arriving at the Tongariro Domain 13 hours later.
[This is actually bullshit - again, dompost's reports don't get facts right..... The super-enduro is _4_ times around the lake - they start at 11am the previous morning. The Enduro is _2_ times around, and the winner did it in _10_ hours!! WTF!]
“It was a bit cold in the morning and hard heading into the wind but we got lucky with the wind behind us on the way home.”
Tom Hira, 57, of Rotorua, finished his third Taupo challenge eager for more.
“Five hours fifty is my best time yet so I will have to come back to beat that.”
Wanganui’s Phil Prentice, on his seventh visit, hoped he would wake up the following morning with a hangover.
“The only reason we do it every year is for the party afterwards,” he said after finishing in five hours. “It’s about having a good time.”
Rotorua’s Clinton Avery won the competitive section in 3.54.04 after beating Gordon McCauley in a close sprint finish.
[IMAGE and TEXT (C) stuff.co.nz / Dominion Post. Used WITHOUT permission]
