Rotorua to Taupo 100km Flyer

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Hi all,

I'm thinking of doing the Rotorua to Taupo 100km Flyer next March - I'm currently doing 60 or 70km rides at the moment without issue so should easily be ready for 100km by March. My question is: I've heard that this is virtually flat for the whole 100kms with maybe a couple of baby hills at each end. Is this true? I think it would be a good intoduction to longer rides for me.

Any advice at all would be greatly appreciated - I've already heard to avoid the blueberry pancakes from the restaurant by the Big Fish in Lake Taupo. Not that they are bad, in fact they are so good you'll never cycle another metre after having them! :eek:

Thanks everyone...

If you're doing 70km rides now, 100km will be no problem. Just add a few long hills into our training so you're ready for the couple of climbs in the ride.

After 100km, all food is good, so whatever you can wrap your laughing gear round is fair game.

I can't give any constructive advice but I can say I'm very jealous! I drove up the east side of Lake Taupo in August (it was a beautiful day) and thought it woud make a great ride.

I personally love blueberry pancakes before a big ride :D

have fun!

Thanks lumpy and 62vette for the advice. Seeing as Taupo is the end of the ride I will splash out and have double helpings of the blueberry pancakes! :rolleyes:

I was reading the Lonely Planet Guide to Cycling New Zealand and they reckon that there is a small "moderate" climb near the start and a slightly longer "moderate" climb at the end - seeing as they categorise climbs into four categories: Easy, Moderate, Hard and Extreme I think I should be ok with the two small moderates. Mind you I only did 50km today as it was very strong winds....:mad:

(btw lumpy I envy you! I've spent a lot of time in the States and it is by far my favourite place to cycle in the world. I'm lucky enough to have cycled in a large number of states including Alaska and Hawaii and have always had a fantastic time. California would have to be my favourite though.. :o )

Have you got a link to a map of the route?

Do you guys know about Bikely.com (http://www.bikely.com) ? You can draw a route on a map and it will tell you both the distance and the elevation. Pretty neat.

I was in Rotorua last weekend and we drove down to Taupo (I was wanting to get a look at the first section of the round Lake Taupo course which I'll be doing in a couple of weeks). I really can't remember any significant hills - it seemed mostly straight with a few manageable ups and downs (i.e. unlike a lot of State Highways in NZ :) )

Where did you find out about the Rotorua to Taupo Flyer? It sounds kinda interesting and I might like to do it. Can you point to a web site or something with more details?

Thanks,
Walter

Yes I would be interested in seeing a website as well ....

http://www.100kflyer.co.nz/

The route doesn't follow the main road for most of the ride which takes you over more hills than following the state highway would.

Ok, what's "a good steady climb" in NZ-speak?

The route description makes it sound pretty easy - but I know you New Zealanders.....masters of understatement. ;)

An experienced roadie would find the climbs relatively easy, an occasional or new rider will struggle on the hills later on in the ride.

I know what you mean about understatement. I've heard K2 described as "a good wee ride".

Here it is:
http://www.100kflyer.co.nz/

looks good has anyone done this?

Hi there,

Has anyone actually done the race? I have got into the whole cycling scene this year... and am loving it so far... and Rotorua to Taupo in March 07 is my goal at the moment...
am riding about 100 to 150km a week... but each ride has been about 30 to 40km ones.. with some hills..
would i be ready for the big day on the 31st of march???
any tips??

oh and pearljamfan... did you end up buying the Scott Speedster??

Hi there,

Has anyone actually done the race? I have got into the whole cycling scene this year... and am loving it so far... and Rotorua to Taupo in March 07 is my goal at the moment...
am riding about 100 to 150km a week... but each ride has been about 30 to 40km ones.. with some hills..
would i be ready for the big day on the 31st of march???
any tips??

oh and pearljamfan... did you end up buying the Scott Speedster??Hi scho047,

I'm very much in the same boat as you, I did some small time mountain biking up until January this year when I though I'd give road bikes a go, and now I'm a confirmed roadie doing very similar distances / hills to you. (My poor old mountain bike has only been out of the garage twice this year! :eek: )

I'm still torn between the Scott Speedster S20 and the Trek 1400 - I can't help feeling the Trek is a better bike for the money though, but will hold off until I'm up in Auckland next and can take a look at some different bike stores. Just to confuse things a work colleague has just got a Specialized Roubaix Elite, full carbon and (nearly) full 105. Fantastic bike to ride but at $3,500 maybe just a little over my budget! :rolleyes:

So, it appears that no one on this forum has actually ridden this? Or maybe it's so flat and uninteresting no one can be bothered replying!! :p

well i know few people that have done it before... and suggested as a first proper charity/fun ride thing.. its the way to get into it... i was initially aiming for the hamilton to auckland 100k flyer... but they suggested it is too hilly... and that i consider having this a go first... and its flat about 85 to 90% of the way... supposedly... so fingers crossed! have to just keep clocking those kms to get ready for it...

oh by the way... that shop that i bought my scott from.. is moving to a new shop just down the road from where they are and now having huge clearance sales... and they told me there will do more soon... so best time to check it out will be in a week or two... but clearance are first in first serve.. so good luck!

check the link.. to their shop..
http://multisportbikes.co.nz/w/default.asp

if some fits youfine.. you could get real nice ones for what you are hoping to pay at the mo.. .like cevello ones... which is so nice!

So, it appears that no one on this forum has actually ridden this? Or maybe it's so flat and uninteresting no one can be bothered replying!! :p
Well I've never ridden it but know plenty who have. For the experienced roadie it's a good fast thrash, and for new roadies it is a good challenge.

As it is a point to point ride, you need to have some transport organised to get back from the finish.

Thanks as always everyone. I'm definetly going to do it as I've recently conquered our local "monster" hill and figure if I can get up that I can get up anything!

Thanks for the multisportbike link scho047, I'd love one of those Cervelos but they all look too big for me. I'm up in Auckland for the U2 gig next weekend :D so will have a proper look around then.

So, it appears that no one on this forum has actually ridden this? Or maybe it's so flat and uninteresting no one can be bothered replying!! :pI havnt done it but i reckon ill give it a go :)

Hey Pearljam Fan, have you bought your Scott yet???