5000 expected for Great Lake cycle challenge

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 14, Issue 654, 17 September 1996, Page 6 (Supplement)

5000 expected for Great Lake cycle challenge

Organisers are expecting a record 5000 cyclists to take to the roads around Lake Taupo in November for the 20th Huttons Kiwi Great Lake Cycle Challenge. Last year almost 4000 riders completed the 1 60 km course - and 40 of them entered the "enduro" section, twice round the lake starting at an unsociable 2am Saturday 30 November. Registered riders will be competing for more than $60,000 in spot prizes, including a Peugeot 106 car, return air tickets to London, Los Angeles and Australia, television sets and mountain bikes. The event has four categories: Enduro - 320km non-stop twice around Lake Taupo. Starts at 2am. Last year 38 riders took part in the first enduro - up to 100 are expected this year. The winning enduro time last year was 10 hr 14min 39sec - set by a tandem pair from Palmerston North. One lap - for those who prefer a daylight ride there is the 1 60km course,

one lap of the lake. The riders in this section start at 8am and the faster riders should cross the line after four hours or so on the road. The winning time last year was 4 hr 7min 35 sec - just 35 seconds off the record. Relay - for keen cyclists who think 160km is a bit daunting can form a relay team and split the ride into 40km segments. Corporate challenge - a lot of interest in this section. A corporate challenge trophy will be awarded to the most "visible" group of riders from the same organisation. Organising the smooth running of the relay event is a major logistics exercise for organisers who are responsible for transporting riders and cycles to transition points. "The relay event was introduced last year and 262 teams took part," says Keith. 'The relay means taking part is within reach of anyone with a reasonable level of fitness." For more information phone 07-378-1546