Contact Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge Changes Course

This year the Contact Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge will make some changes to ‘freshen’ up the course for regular riders.

The iconic Contact Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge, New Zealand’s largest cycling event, has changed course slightly for two of its popular events – the Solo and the Relay.  

The Solo Event will now ride the same course as the Classic Event, allowing Solo riders to compare their times with Classic riders.  “Instead of riding along Poihipi Road, the Solo riders will now ride along Whangamata Road,” says Event Director Rob McKnight.  “It is a slightly shorter route but with some steep hills, it provides a new challenge,” he said.

The Relay Event will travel along Poihipi Road, Marotiri Road and SH32 and the relay change will be on the corner of Whangamata and State 32.  Traditionally the relay has travelled along Whangamata Road.  This means the first leg of the relay will be approximately 5km longer and the second leg approximately 1km shorter.    “The change to the Relay provides a lighter leg for leg 2 which makes it an ideal leg for the beginner cyclist in your relay team,” said Mr McKnight. 

“Basically we have swapped the routes for the Relay and the Solo around to provide some diversity for our riders.  We may swap back in the future – it is just something we are trying out so things don’t get stale!”

Course changes are not the only thing Event Director Rob McKnight is introducing to Cycle Challenge in 2011.  “We have an exciting new concept we are launching this year.  Riders who have participated in the Cycle Challenge for three years in a row (starting in 2011) will go into a prize draw to win a pot of money in 2014.  We have estimated the pot will be at least $20,000 so it is a great incentive for our riders to keep coming back,” he says. 

The 2011 Contact Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge will be the 35th year the event has been held.  There are 11 different cycling events available, catering for cyclists all fitness and ability levels.  Currently, Early Bird entries are available until 30 June at a discounted rate of $89 – participants can enter online at www.cyclechallenge.com

The Cycle Challenge is a community event, owned and operated by the Taupo Moana Rotary Club.  Over 1,000 local volunteers contribute to the event with the proceeds going back into the Taupo community.   Contact Energy is the event’s Principal Partner. 

@Heart is the official charity of the Cycle Challenge and will be asking riders to support their fundraising page when they enter the event.  Funds raised via this page will provide life-long support to children and their families living with the daily challenges of a heart condition.
 

Image: Map of Contact Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge route with course changes for 2011