READ THE FULL LAKE TAUPO CYCLE CHALLENGE REVIEW →
One lap of the supervolcano
Lake Taupō Cycle Challenge circles the caldera on sealed state highway — rolling rather than flat, with three named hills providing the structure: Waihaha Hill's false summit, Waihi Hill's grind above the lake, and Hatepe Hill's late climb into the finish. Surface is well-maintained tarmac with some rough patches, and the demand is steady pace across the rolling terrain and distance, not technical handling.
For the rider with a full calendar and four to six hours a week, this twelve-week plan filters every session through what circling the lake demands: steady sustained effort and repeatable climbing, built through compact sessions and a weekly longer ride.
INSIDE THE TIME-CRUNCHED PLAN — 4–6 HR/WK
Includes zone-tailored structured rides for your devices, built-in strength with video walkthroughs, heat protocols for when your race calls for them, peloton skills workouts, and nutrition and hydration guidance.
The Complete Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge Guide — the training, the tactics, the gear and race day, explained simply and clearly: what to do, when to do it, and why it works.
WANT A DIFFERENT LAKE TAUPO CYCLE CHALLENGE PLAN?
Questions? Great. Hit me up at support@roadielabs.com.
Hey, I'm Matti. I spent 11 years at TrainingPeaks, where they trusted me to teach coaches how to coach at TrainingPeaks University. I raced Amateur Elite with Rio Grande Cycling Team and podiumed my age group at Unbound 200 in 2026. I have a degree in biology and exercise physiology from St. Olaf. I'm also a middle-aged dad of three, so I know training doesn't happen in a vacuum. I help gravel riders get stupidly fast without becoming the person who brings a food scale to a party