Hey there ZubZub... its awful news about your ma, but I am really pleased she is not attempting to do Lake Taupo with little training behind her. There are three big hills on that course, as you will know, and Hatepe (the last) breaks alot of people even though it is not the worst hill.

She really needs to start her training months before if she hasn't been on a bike much.

A friend of mine took 9 hours to complete it last year - thats 9 hours ion the bike - not including her rest-stops... she was completely exhausted and in alot of pain by the end of it, and purely because she had not prepared herself for it... the most she had ever ridden was about 50kms...

I would suggest get her training once she is well, get her used to clipping in and out of pedals (really bad luck she broke her leg unclipping - usually those kind've falls result in a bruised ego and not much more cause you are not travelling at speed).

Enter in a few fun-rides and you can do the longer distance and she can do the 40/50km rides... That way she'll get used to riding with packs, and the distances are manageable. You have plenty of time to work her up to a next years Taupo Challenge.


I've just turned 40 too... was going to be doing Taupo with two of my sons in a relay, but the Nationals are on in a few weeks and my partner and oldest son are training toward that...

I personally have no interest in doing full Round Taupo unless I can do it in about 5 1/2 hours... I reckon that is the absolute max I would want to spend on a bike.

You may find your mum is like me and prefers shorter distances (have my first "real" race - ie, not club or purely fun-ride - in 3 weeks - 50kms and my goal is to beat my sister-in-law...)

Hills will never be my strength but my power output is very very good, and i think time trialing is what I will continue to focus on. Is your mum aware of the different options available to her?

Sending healing thoughts your way from Hawkes Bay