New Zealand is often considered an unknown quantity in its own corner of the world. It is studded with serene beauty and natural views that rival any other country on Earth. While it would be reductive to say that the beauty of the natural country is the only thing on offer in New Zealand, it makes up a significant chunk of why tourists from all corners of the globe flock to the island country all year round.
However, today’s article will focus on one of the seminal cycling events in Oceania—the Lake Taupo challenge. If you’re a first-time spectator, don’t worry, we’ve got your back. We’ve put together today’s guide with you in mind, so you know roughly what to expect when you head out to Taupo for this year’s challenge.
What is the Lake Taupo Challenge
Lake Taupo is considered one of the top natural attractions in the Southern Hemisphere. The Lake Taupo Challenge is an annual cycling event that occurs in November. As the name suggests, the circuit runs right along the outer circled perimeter of the lake. The entire route is just shy of 160 km.
Tourists flock to New Zealand for a whole host of reasons with slots being one of them. However, this has become more of an online activity over recent times, highlighting how the Kiwis are adapting to a digital world. Still, there’s no denying that the natural aura and beauty of the Kiwi countryside is the jewel in the crown, and results in millions of people making the trip to NZ. The Lake Taupo Challenge is one of the best examples of what people can expect if they’re looking to sample the social, athletic element of Kiwi culture.
Every year, thousands of cyclists make their way to the North Island to partake in the challenge, with many others flocking to Taupo to get a taste of the atmosphere and to cheer the riders on. So, what are some of the tips we’d recommend if you’re a first-time spectator?
Book Early
Although Taupo attracts visitors all year round, we recommend booking your hotels or accommodation as early as possible. If you’re looking to rent a car, or if you’re looking to partake in some of the routes yourself, ensure you shop around and get the appropriate cycling equipment with plenty of time to spare.
Networking
We appreciate that many of you will be keen to see Lake Taupo as a serene solo trip, or with a group of close friends or significant other. However, if you’re a keen cyclist and your passion revolves around cycling and some of the finer niche elements, it can pay dividends if you network on social media beforehand.
This allows you to meet up with like-minded people, perhaps some locals who can give you a unique insight into the history of Lake Taupo and make the trip just that extra bit special.
Prepare for the Elements
Although late November is one of the hottest times of the year in New Zealand, the weather sometimes doesn’t play ball for the Lake Taupo Challenge. Some years, it’s been cracking the flags with a nice, gentle, brisk wind—the perfect cycling weather. Other years, it’s been glum and overcast, with torrential downpours.
One of the most notable facts about Taupo is that it is one of the world’s largest active super volcanoes. Scientists believe it is responsible for one of the largest-ever eruptions in history. While it is active, it’s not going to go off overnight. Don’t worry. There are signs that it will erupt years before it does, and scientists measure it closely.
So, when we say prepare for the elements, we mean bringing a suitable waterproof and woolly fleece, a hat, and a flask of coffee if you plan to stand outside and watch the cyclists go by all day. A chair wouldn’t go amiss, either.
Final Thoughts
The factors we touched on today aren’t prerequisites to having fun at the Lake Taupo Challenge. Even though it attracts thousands of people every year, it doesn’t have the same sort of busy feel that some of the more prominent cycling races do—it still feels low-key, and it gives you a chance to breathe in the beauty of the lake.
If you are a keen cyclist, we’d strongly recommend checking out some of the route for yourself. Obviously, if you think you can manage the entire 160 km route, go for it, but there are plenty of individual legs as part of the challenge, and you can take them at a leisurely pace.
However, if you’re looking to sit it out and stand on the sidelines as a spectator, this is another excellent way to enjoy what the challenge has to offer and the breathtaking scenery that rivals any other cycling location on the planet.