Author: Amy Taylor
Publisher: AWA Press

Publisher's Summary

A bike ride that began with 26 friends in 1977 is today New Zealand's premier cycling event. Covering a scenic course on 160 kilometres of sealed road around beautiful Lake Taupo, it caters for riders of all abilities, and attracts around 12, 000 entrants, with numbers increasing every year.

In 2007, it was named one of the best rides in the world by the International Cycling Union, and became part of the prestigious international UCI Golden Bike series.

Whether you're riding for fun or competitively, this book contains all the information you'll need to prepare for the event and have a great ride on the day - including details of the course, suggestions for gearing up, and training programmes for all levels. It also includes a listing of all New Zealand's other exciting road-cycling events. 

Amy Taylor is the founder of Kinetic Edge, an Auckland-based cycle-training company, and has coached national and Commonwealth representative cyclists and several world champions. In 2005, she was North Island track sprint champion, and in 2006 and 2008 received a SPARC Prime Minister's Coaching Scholarship.

RoadCycling.co.nz comments from a reader; Matt from Wellington

When I started cycling in May08 it was with one goal in mind, that being to 'complete' Taupo in November 2009. I went looking for information about this ride and came across the book. I purchased it hoping to find some tips about how to ride in a bunch, find out about food and drink, and generally work out how to just make it around the lake.

I am really just a beginner cyclist who has managed to become hooked and am now a certifiable cycling addict.
I have read the book three times now, pretty much cover to cover and out of this have learnt so much.

The most stand out point for me has to be cadence. Being significantly overweight I had pretty strong thighs, so used these to produce low RPM power in higher gears, not understanding the impact this was having on my riding, or my energy levels, but thinking being in the highest possible gear must mean that I was riding fast.

I now spin at 95+ RPM pretty much most of the time and without trying have increased my average riding speed by 3-4km per hour. I have also chosen to work through the full 36 week training program and I am seeing the results. I'm climbing hills easier, going further, faster and consuming less energy than I was.

Because of this book and it's training guide I am no longer just trying to make it around the lake, but am aiming to do so in the top 50% of all riders.

I bought the book thinking it would be a guide to help me get around the Lake, however, I have found it is more of a book for a fairly serious cyclist who is really looking to fine tune and prepare fully for the race. This has worked well for me as it has helped to drive me to achieve (hopefully) beyond what even I thought was possible.


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