Friday evening we (two of my brothers, plus the family of one of them) arrived in Taupo.
After registration, the next thing was to get my cruzbike on the rack to be transported to Kuratau School. I had been told that as my bicycle is an unconventional, I'd have to bring it to Kuratau myself, that would take at least two more hours, I didn't fancy that, so I had a look to see what I could do - it looked possible, so I got my bicycle, and they allowed me to put it on the rack, with their assistance, we got it on comfortably.
Saturday morning I awoke to a cold damp, freezing south-wester. Out the door by 6:30am.
On the bus to Karatau School, arriving their it was cold.
Lining up to use the toilets, with all these cyclists in their shorts, I asked, "who's got told legs?" "Everyone does", someone replied. But not me, I still had my trousers on. :), Soon enough my legs will also be cold.
Start 9:52am. Out from the school was a climb up Kuratau Hill to the highest point of my route. Flying down the other side to achieve my highest speed of the day, almost 70km/hr!
Then some up and down, then down Waihi Hill, it was raining, cold, road was wet so cyclist were restricting their speed, so I also me, that meant I was coasting downhill lightly on my brakes, and that meant I was not peddling, which would have helped warm me somewhat.
The big climb was Hatepe Hill, 20km from Taupo, 2km constant climb, down to almost 6km/hr, then another flying downhill well into the 60s, until I reached the flats. With its severe crosswind and rough seal, my legs and knees were starting to ache, still almost 20km to go, I was no longer able to maintain the 25-30km I was doing on the southern part of the course. A brief stop in the shelter of some roadside vegetation when an icy shower hit. There were a couple more cold showers on the way in that I cycled through, it was most definitely not cycle friendly weather.
Official time is 3:28. Ride time 3:12, so my total stopped time is 16 min, time for toilet, food, fluids.
Official distance was 73km, but my cycle computer said it was 74km, don't know with one is right.
Two of my brothers who cycled, one attempted the whole lake solo, but had to pull out after 80km with severe cramp. The other one did 85 mountain bike, his legs were worse than mine, and numb fingers - that I don't have a problem with, I've a good bicycle, but the seats cushion has lost it's spring
My brother who did the mountain biking was there with his wife and kids, his 10 year old daughter did the heart kids 5km. He and my other brother escorting her. No room on the car to carry my bike, so I had to cycle out there, but my legs needed more rest. Over the hill 2-3km south, I pulled over to the shelter of some houses - I'm going to wait here out of the cold wind, and not climb any unnecessary hills. When my brother came by, joined them escorting my niece. Good father my brother, to cycle with his daughter despite his legs wanting to give up.
Sorry that the only photos I have is the one above and the official ones on the link below, I had my camera with me, but was so intent on the cycling that I forgot about it! If anyone finds any photos with me, please leave a comment.
Route map
Tracking
Official photos
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