This classic of NZ cycling, the Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge is back for 2025, and has evolved with many new options.

As well as the classic 160km Round the Lake (on it's original course), Taupo is evolving, and they now also have 100km and 55km options, and MTB - its a festival of cycling. 

If gravel is more your scene now, the 80km Gravel Grind got high praise from those who took it on last year (including the JetPlanes at all the aid stations).  If you have a few Taupo's under your belt, did you know that the Gravel event also counts towards their 'Cadence' totals?

See all the options here: https://www.cyclechallenge.com/event-categories

Organised by KCC member and Taupo afficionado Mike Harding, we're pleased to offer KCC Club members a 15% discount off your entry this year:  

KCCLTCC2515  Apply this discount code when you enter Cycle Challenge via Eventplus.

(KCC presently has an allocation of 15 entries, but we can request more if required, so if the code doesn't work, please let us know, as this may be why!)

If we get a good number going to Taupo this year, Mike has also offered to organise a club dinner out after prize giving - so consider Taupo on your training plans.  A few pics of the gravel course from last year below.

Feel free to contact Mike directly with any questions, on mike_camjas@hotmail.com 

Article added: Sunday 04 May 2025