Doubling Up for the Double Lapper

Not since 1995 has anyone taken on 320km of riding at the Contact Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge on a tandem bike. Come Saturday the 30th of November, and for only the second time in the events 37 year history, Craig & Jenna Mangin from Masterton will be teaming up to take part in the two lap Barfoot & Thompson Enduro on their two seater. 

Craig and wife Sue started riding tandem bikes back in 2006 and completed the 160km one lap solo at the Contact Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge in 2008 in a time of only 4 hours 55min. They were back again in 2010, and in 2012 Craig teamed up with his daughter Jenna for the Bike Barn Solo and completed the lap in 4 hours 40 min.

Just to mix things up a bit Craig completed the two lap 320km enduro event in 2009 as an individual rider and enjoyed it so much that he thought it would be a real challenge to do it on a tandem.

Although he has the full support of his wife Sue, she’s happy to hand over team duties to daughter Jenna, who’s done a lot of road cycling herself and like her father is up for a another new challenge. 

Tandem riding can be a challenge in itself. Team captain Craig needs to ensure communication is top of mind. He says “Sometimes Jenna will be unable to see what is happening in front of us, so Jenna could be pushing hard, while in the front I might be preparing to brake.  I also need to communicate the terrain ahead and let Jenna know about corners approaching. And most of all we’ll need to encourage one another when those hills become mountains on the second lap!!!”

Craig and Jenna are both members of the Masterton Cycling Club and participate in the weekly club nights along with club training rides on a regular basis.    

Held on the last Saturday of every November, the Contact Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge has 15 event categories catering to all levels of cycling and fitness abilities, and will this year celebrate its 37th anniversary on Saturday the 30th of November.

Online entries close on Saturday the 23rd of November at www.cyclechallenge.com with late entries available at the event on Friday the 29th and Saturday the 30th of November.