Rotorua to Taupo 100km Flyer

PearlJamFan

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!

Thanks everyone...

62vette

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.

lumpy

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

have fun!

PearlJamFan

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!

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....

(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.. )

mikesbytes

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

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wrumsby

Do you guys know about 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

46kgToDate

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

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lumpy

62vette

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.

matagi

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.

62vette

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".

46kgToDate

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

looks good has anyone done this?

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scho047

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??

PearlJamFan

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! )

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!