NEW ZEALAND and the 2010 LAKE TAUPO CYCLE CHALLENGE
This tour combines the best cycling in New Zealand’s lush North Island with the chance to ride in one of the world’s biggest one day cycling events, the Wattyl Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge. Starting in New Zealand’s largest city, Auckland, we head out on to the quiet roads of the Coromandel Peninsula where we spend the next few days discovering the historic towns and picturesque coastline that make this New Zealand’s favourite getaway destination. From the Coromandel we travel through the vivid green scenery of the Waikato, then on to the geothermal city of Rotorua, famous for its bubbling mud pools and geysers. With a week of riding under our belts our final destination is Lake Taupo, where along with about 8,000 other keen riders we will tackle the annual Wattyl Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge. The 160 km route can be ridden as a relay with other riders to reduce the distance down to 40 kms, or as a solo lap of the lake at 160 km. For the endurance rider there is also the ultimate challenge of two laps of the lake for a total of 320 km. Your tour leader has ridden the event 3 times so you can benefit from his knowledge of this challenging course. The Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge is part of the prestigious UCI Golden Bike series and is truly a must do ride. If you’ve never experienced the unique beauty of New Zealand now is the time to explore it the best way possible, by bike.
TRIP DETAILS:
Duration: 9 days (8 nights)
Dates: Saturday 20 November to Sunday 28 November 2010
Start: Auckland. Finish: Auckland
Accommodation: Selected hotels
Group Size: Maximum 16 people
Cost: AUD $3390
Deposit: AUD $1000* – Secure your spot now.
Optional Extras: Bike rental, pre or post tour accommodation in Auckland,travel insurance and event entry fees.
Who is this trip for?
This tour is suitable for cyclists of all abilities. Ride distances on offer most days range from 40 to 100 kms allowing you to choose a distance each day to suit you, with the option of jumping in our support van if you get a bit tired or challenging yourself through the hills. Our tour takes in the scenic coastal region of the Coromandel Peninsula and the rolling green hills of the Waikato made famous in recent years as the location of the Lord of the Rings movies. The emphasis on this tour is experiencing one of the most beautiful areas in New Zealand, so we allow plenty of time each day to relax and explore. At the end of the tour there is the bonus of the chance to ride in the Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge and just like our tour there are ride options to suit all abilities.
Day 1 Saturday, 20 November 2010
Today you are free to arrive in Auckland at any time and make your way to our 4 star hotel in the centre of Auckland, a few minutes’ walk from the cafes and bars of the popular waterfront. Auckland is New Zealand’s largest and most cosmopolitan city, known locally as the “City of Sails” for the large number of yachts that line the harbour. On arrival our staff will be available to assist you with getting your bike assembled and make sure everything is in working order. For those that arrive in time we’ll head off on a short ride around the bay, stopping for a coffee at the popular bayside suburb of St Heliers. Tonight is free for you to explore all that the Auckland has to offer, with the restaurants of the waterfront and historic laneways a short walk from our hotel.
Overnight: Auckland
Day 2 Sunday, 21 November 2010
This morning we drive from the city of Auckland to the small town of Whiford where we start our cycling on quiet rural roads. We skirt around a small peninsula with our first glimpse of the sea before a gentle climb over the Hunua ranges to our lunch stop at Kawakawa Bay. It is here we get our first sight of the Peninsula with the Coromandel Ranges rising steeply from the sea. It’s a pleasant flat ride along the coast for the rest of the day before we finish our ride and transfer to our small hotel located in an pleasant location on the coast just outside the town of Thames. Tonight we’ll enjoy a welcome dinner together in a local restaurant where we’ll get to enjoy some fine food and New Zealand wine.
Ride options: 45 or 85 km
Overnight: Thames
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Day 3 Monday, 22 November 2010
The cycling today is through some of the most beautiful areas of the Coromandel Peninsula, with some challenging climbs rewarded by stunning views in every direction. From Thames we head north along the coast lined with the red flowers of the Pohutukawa tree, before crossing the Coromandel Range to reach the small town of Coromandel. The town was once a gold mining settlement and is now a centre for arts and crafts and people seeking an alternative lifestyle. We’ll enjoy lunch in one of Coromandel’s cafes before heading south over a challenging climb that takes us across the Coromandel Range, with the reward of magnificent coastal views and a fast descent to our hotel in the seaside town of Whitianga. Tonight you can choose from one of the very good local restaurants that specialise in New Zealand’s abundant fresh seafood.
Ride options: 55 or 100 km
Overnight: Whitianga
Meals: Breakfast
Day 4 Tuesday, 23 November 2010
Yesterday was a tough day on the bike with some steep climbs so today we’ll relax a bit with a ride to Cathedral Cove for a picnic lunch at one of New Zealand’s most picturesque bays. We take a short cut this morning on the local ferry across to Flaxmill Bay where we make our way on to a beautiful route through vineyards and around the many small bays that make the Coromandel such a popular place with holidaying Kiwis. If the tides are in our favour we can make a visit to Hot Water Beach where natural mineral water rises through the sand and forms hot water pools where you can dip your tired legs. After lunch we’ll ride back to Whitianga where you can relax and take in the views from our waterfront hotel.
Ride options: 35 or 55 km
Overnight: Whitianga
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 5 Wednesday, 24 November 2010 
Leaving the coast we head to the heart of the Waikato region which is known to many as the location for much of the filming of the Lord of the Rings. The lush rolling hills provide a beautiful backdrop for our ride today from Te Aroha to Cambridge. Along the way we’ll stop for lunch at a cafe located opposite the Hobbiton movie set with idyllic views over Middle Earth! From here the road goes up as we climb over French Pass followed by a fast descent down to the small town of Cambridge where we spend tonight. Dinner tonight is in one of the town’s most popular restaurants in the centre of this quaint English style town.
Ride options: 40,50 or 90 kms.
Overnight: Cambridge
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 6 Thursday, 25 November 2010
As it’s just two days until the Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge we’ll take it easy this morning and head off through the hills of the Waikato before a gentle climb up to the Mamaku Plateau just before Rotorua. Rotorua is in the middle of a large thermal district and well known for it’s geysers, notably the Pohutu geyser at Whakarewarewa, and hot mud pools located in the city. We’ll arrive in Rotorua in time for lunch leaving the afternoon free to explore the city’s many attractions. An option this afternoon is to travel with us to take the gondola up Mt Ngongotaha, with views over Lake Rotorua and the city. Once at the top you can have some off bike fun and challenge your friends to a race down the hill on one of the 3 winding luge tracks. Our historic hotel is located in the centre overlooking the Government Gardens and the Polynesian Spa for those wanting a relaxing massage or spa treatment. Tonight is free to dine in one of Rotorua’s many restaurants.
Ride options: 30 or 55 km.
Overnight: Rotorua
Meals: Breakfast
Day 7 Friday, 26 November 2010
We will take it easy this morning as we transfer from Rotorua to Lake Taupo, although there is the option of riding all or part of the way to our hotel if you wish. Along the way today we’ll stop and visit the Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Reserve with it’s colorful sulphur pools, geysers and mud pools. Our home for the next two nights is at the Bayview Wairakei Resort just north of Lake Taupo where you can relax with a massage in the resort day spa facility. This afternoon we’ll join the thousands of cyclists in town as we register for tomorrow’s event and visit the cycle expo, maybe picking up a few bargains or a souvenier jersey. On our way back to the hotel this afternoon a short detour will take us to the spectacular Huka Falls where over the centuries the fast flowing water has created a spectacular gorge and waterfall. For the thrillseekers there is the option of a thrilling jetboat ride along the Huka river right up to the base of the falls. Tonight we’ll have a pre-event dinner at our hotel in preparation for tomorrow’s ride.
Overnight: Lake Taupo
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 8 Saturday, 27 November 2010
Today we will participate in New Zealand’s biggest one day cycling event, The Wattyl Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge. The main event is non competitive, although over a hilly 160 km course it lives up to its name and is definitely a challenge. The Challenge Ride is preceded by an elite race, the Avanti Classic, that attracts top level riders from Australia and New Zealand. Along the route you’ll pass through small farming communities and enjoy great views down to Lake Taupo and across to the still active volcano of Mount Ruapehu. The final climb of the day over the testing Hatepe Hill is rewarded with a fast and exhilarating descent to the waiting crowds at the finish line in Taupo. Although not a race the event is timed with all entrants receiving a timing chip, so you will be able to compare your times with your friends on the day. At the end of the ride join in with the thousands of others who gather for the festival , with a special awards ceremony and the prize draws which normally include some pretty amazing giveaways such as cars and high end bikes. Tonight we’ll head into town and have a special celebration dinner at one of Taupo’s finest restaurants where we will have some of the fresh innovative cuisine New Zealand is known for. What a great way to top off a memorable week in this beautiful little country.
Overnight: Lake Taupo
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 9 Sunday, 28 November 2010
Sadly our tour of New Zealand comes to an end this morning. Over the last week we’ve ridden through the quiet backroads of the Coromandel, explored the amazing thermal areas of Rotorua and Taupo and ridden in one of the worlds must do cycling events. After breakfast we will transfer people to Auckland airport, arriving early afternoon, in time for your flight home.
Meals: Breakfast
Tour cost: $3390 per person twin share and includes:
- Transport throughout by minivan with custom bike trailer.
- Services of our experienced tour guides and drivers.
- 8 nights accommodation in selected quality hotels with private facilities.
- Full breakfast daily
- Picnic lunches on 2 days
- 3 course dinners on 4 nights
- Mechanical assistance with your bike
- Bikestyle Tours jersey
- Sightseeing and entrance fees as listed
- Maps and Bikestyle guide to New Zealand and the Taupo Challenge
