Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge

The start

The last part of my personal challenge for the Long Ride was to take the trusty commuter bike out for one more long ride and participate in the Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge in the last weekend of November – 3 days after finishing the 1000 km Long Ride. I was part of a 4 person relay team the previous year, riding 40 km of the 160 km circumnavigation of the lake. I figured this year – with a better level of fitness – I should be able to improve on that, so entered for the first two legs (80 km) in a 3 person relay team. The strategy was to complete the first half of the circuit and then see how I felt. I knew I could ride 80 km no problem, but on some of the days of the Long Ride I was getting pretty tired at that distance, so it was not a given that I would continue past half way.

The weather for the Cycle Challenge this year was cool and overcast, with some drizzle – more pleasant riding conditions than last year’s ride in full sunshine, on hot roads and in high temperatures. I slept in on the morning of the start so we arrived at the start line near the back of the pack. It took nearly half an hour to get all the cyclists over the start line. Then we were off, up the first hill threading carefully through the mass of cyclists of all abilities spread out across two road lanes. I rode the first half of the race pretty conservatively, knowing that this was going to be a long day and I needed to conserve energy. Even so, I was passing everyone on the hills almost as if they were stopped, which concerned me a little.

My cycle computer had given up on me during the last 2 days of the Long Ride, and the replacement I had been given was not working, so I was riding without instruments. The 40 km mark came up pretty quickly. After the initial hills of leg 1, the undulating terrain of leg 2 was more comfortable – more familiar and I reached the 80 km mark for the changeover sooner than I had expected. I stopped to refuel and stretch the legs, but did not feel al all tired. Even though I had just cycled 80 km I felt good enough to do it all again, so set off towards the 3rd changeover at the 120 km mark. I still felt like I had plenty of energy and was still passing everyone in front of me on the hills as if I had another extra couple of gears. That was totally unexpected. Even on the flat I was whizzing passed most other cyclists. Maybe my fitness level had improved more than I had realised!

Winding up the hills on leg 1

At the 120 km mark it was decision time. This was already the furthest distance I had cycled on one day. I could stop now and be happy with this achievement or carry on and risk hitting the wall in 10 or 20 km. I still felt pretty good so decided to go for broke and attempt to complete the whole circuit. The first 20 km of the final leg are flat, so that was not too much of a problem. At my comfortable pace I was still passing other cyclists with plenty of speed, but the Hatepe Hill was still in front of me. That hill proved to be a challenge, mainly because I was beginning to tire. I adopted my usual hill strategy – find the right gear and keep those legs pumping. By the time I got to the top I was breathing hard, but the legs were still ok and I had passed many people on the way up. From here on to Taupo I knew it would be a matter of endurance – hanging in there with enough energy to make it across the finish line.

The last 20 km of the ride were the hardest. My right leg was getting tired, my butt was sore from sitting on this seat for so long and my energy levels were dropping. At my most comfortable riding pace I was still whizzing past other cyclists, but the goal for me now was to finish.

I managed to complete the 160 km ride without incident. So pleased to get off that seat and stretch the legs. At a personal level this was more of an achievement for me than completing the Long Ride. I did not really expect I could last that distance, given my experience during the training for the Long Ride. For me that finish was very emotional.

Still feeling ok at the 120 km mark

Excluding my one hour of stoppages, my cycling time was around 5 hrs 50 mins, giving an average speed on the course of 27.4 km/h – faster than I have ever ridden before. May be there is something in that Taupo water! Or maybe I should just ride more often without an operable cycle computer.

tired but happy after 160 km