Our Event History

 The Lake Taupō Cycle Challenge will this year celebrate its 46th event. From its humble beginnings in 1977 with just 26 participants, the event has grown into NZ’s premier and largest cycling event, with around 5,000 riders from across New Zealand and the globe, taking part each year!

In 2015 the Lake Taupō Cycle Challenge was awarded Best NZ Owned Major Event by the NZ Association of Event Professionals.

Originally owned and operated by the Taupō Cycling Club, the bike event was taken over by the Rotary Club and Taupō nui–a-Tia College in 1994. This marked the beginning of a massive expansion for the event. This leadership saw the introduction of initiatives such as the relay, endurance rides, major spot prizes and bike races for professional riders.

Now solely owned and organised by the Lake Taupō Cycle Challenge Trust, and as a Rotary event returns significant proceeds back to the local community through Lake Taupō Rotary.  Each year, approximately $80,000 is donated to various volunteer groups who assist on the day, and event surpluses (ie. event profits) are distributed to the local community, through the Lake Taupō Rotary Club Charitable Trust.

The famous 160km 'Round the Lake' - a one lap circumnavigation of Lake Taupo - is just one of multiple event categories on offer. There are On Road, Mountain Bike, Gravel and Family options for individuals and teams, catering to all levels of cycling and fitness abilities.

With events like Lake Taupō Cycle Challenge, Taupō is considered the Cycling Capital and Events Capital of New Zealand.