The event was launched in 1977 with 26 cyclists by Taupo’s Walter de Bont, who is now its patron, remaining greatly interested.

Staged around beautiful Lake Taupo (New Zealand’s largest lake), contestants cover 160km and conditions can vary significantly each year.

Rotarians have been involved in all 26 stagings. Don Lockwood and Hayden Baker have been involved from the outset and recall members organising drink stations in the early years.

With a membership of 35, the Rotary Club of Taupo Moana is proud of the consistent 100 per cent turnout on race day. Many past members also offer assistance.

Four members in Ray Toms, Joe Mickelson, Kerry Gibson and Event Director Keith Crate are directors of a company controlling the event. Other Rotarians have management roles.

Taupo Nui-a-Tia College is a valued partner. Staff and students assist in the mailing and processing of registrations and general administration.

The two groups combine to form a charitable trust with eight directors as trustees.

Five components of the event include
• The Solo – one circuit of the Lake, which stands as the longest section.
• The Enduro – multiple circuits of the Lake over 24 hours.
• The Relay – legs of 40 or 80 km.
• The Heart Riders – under 10 years event, with a final escorted seven km leg.
• The Classic – a race for the professional riders.

For the latest event organisers introduced the Rotary Relay for clubs to enter as teams. Eleven New Zealand Rotary clubs took part and the event concluded with a Rotary breakfast the next morning.

Taupo Moana offered a $NZ1,000 project prize for the winning Rotary team, with the final result calculated on an age/time formula.

The Rotary Relay was won by the Rotary Club of Masterton South and organisers are planning to develop this event to attract Rotary teams from Australia and the Pacific nations.

Each year, the event injects an estimated $150,000 into service clubs and the amateur cycling organisation. Officials estimate the value to the local economy to be more than $4 million. In addition, the community benefits from Rotary club projects developed with surplus funds. Currently being developed is the appropriate Rotary Ride, a mountain bike ride to the famous Huka Falls, along with a hangar and equipment for a much-used rescue helicopter. Event Director Keith Crate sees the club’s involvement and support for the Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge continuing for many years. He said: “It has enabled us to achieve a high profile within our district and the cycling community. We would like to see Rotarian entries in the special teams event increase to 100 in 2005 to match Rotary’s 100 years of service.” President Mike Langley said the event’s success would not be possible without the magnificent support of major sponsor, Wattyl, and many other key supporters. He thanked the organising committee, cyclists and the community for outstanding support in 2004.

The finish . . . always a good place to reach when cycling.