The Taupo Cycle Challenge introduced the HUKA XL/Challenge MTB race last year to run alongside its road racing. This year saw a stacked field of just under 300 riders line up to take on the 82 km ride.
Byron Scott and myself headed to Taupo to take on the ‘Challenge’ race and continue our head to head, world champs, who’s fastest grudge fest. The following is a graphical representation of the day…..
The Huka is a must do for any self respecting MTB rider or racer. The trails are good enough that if you’re cruising at a ‘social’ pace just wanting to see what it’s like to ride 80km off road you’ll have an awesome time, and serious racer boys (or girls) going for the win will be tested to their limits.
The trails range from nice hardpacked flowy rolling singletrack to tighter rough and loose technical numbers and everything in between. I was stoked to see some real ‘old-school’ trails in their natural state instead of the usual over-grooming which goes on at many XC trails.
I’ll definately be back next year, and hopefully about 30 minutes quicker!
You boys were nice and eager on Sat morning! I don’t think we left out place at rainbow point till 6:15.
I’ll be back next year.
You boys were nice and eager on Sat morning! I don’t think we left out place at rainbow point till 6:15.
I’ll be back next year.
yeah man, we got up early to get in a good feed and let it digest, we are racers after all! hahaYeah rad weekend for sure..
yeah man, we got up early to get in a good feed and let it digest, we are racers after all! hahaYeah rad weekend for sure..
I wish i got up five minutes sooner, the 8 kms from 5 mile bay seemed to be more like 10kms. Weet-bix isn’t always the best start to a day either.
I wish i got up five minutes sooner, the 8 kms from 5 mile bay seemed to be more like 10kms. Weet-bix isn’t always the best start to a day either.
I recomend porridge and creamed rice early then right before the race drop a big huxtable at the pool… GOLD
I recomend porridge and creamed rice early then right before the race drop a big huxtable at the pool… GOLD
Now Lester, you should know better. Hairy legs and lycra are a no no. Just like barends on risers. If you don’t shave, you MUST stick to baggies.It’s like a UCI rule or something
Now Lester, you should know better. Hairy legs and lycra are a no no. Just like barends on risers. If you don’t shave, you MUST stick to baggies.It’s like a UCI rule or something
Ricky, now Im sure you bushlove bum rush guys from Welly are all about the shaving, but here in the Waikato us real men roll au-natural and keep it real, just the way we were created.
That, and it shows how un-serious we are, giving an excuse when you shaven ones beat us! haha, after all its just bike riding, right?
Ricky, now Im sure you bushlove bum rush guys from Welly are all about the shaving, but here in the Waikato us real men roll au-natural and keep it real, just the way we were created.
That, and it shows how un-serious we are, giving an excuse when you shaven ones beat us! haha, after all its just bike riding, right?
Hairy legs and lycra are not good for the race.
Hairy legs and lycra are not good for the race.
It was last summer that friends first suggested I join Dowsing. It wasn’t until February that I determined to find a way of leaving the house to go to a regular rehearsal that clashes really badly with the lifestyle of a young family. The logistics alone put me off doing anything.
It was last summer that friends first suggested I join Dowsing. It wasn’t until February that I determined to find a way of leaving the house to go to a regular rehearsal that clashes really badly with the lifestyle of a young family. The logistics alone put me off doing anything.