NZ North Island MUST DO Summer Rides

[NZLcyclist]

So... what are the MUST DO rides of Summer 06/07? as you post replies I'll add them to the original post to create a proper list :D

15th October - Tour of the Bay www.tourofthebay.co.nz
15th October - Hamilton to Pukekohe 100k www.eventpromotions.co.nz
28th October - K2 www.k2cycle.co.nz (http://www.k2cycle.co.nz)
5 November - Bike the Lake www.bikethelake.com (http://www.bikethelake.com)
12th November - Rotorua to Ohope Fun Ride www.cyclingrotorua.co.nz
25th November - Lake Taupo www.cyclechallenge.org.nz (http://www.cyclechallenge.org.nz/)
17th December - Midsummer Madness 130km Hilly ITT www.fixed.net.nz/files/MidsummerMadness_entryform.pdf (http://www.fixed.net.nz/files/MidsummerMadness_entryform.pdf)
27th January - Taranaki Challenge www.cyclechallenge.co.nz/ (http://www.cyclechallenge.co.nz/)
11th February - Rodney Rabit Ride www.summerofcycling.co.nz (http://www.summerofcycling.co.nz/) (Triple Crown event)
4th March - Tour of the Wild Wild West www.summerofcycling.co.nz (http://www.summerofcycling.co.nz/) (Triple Crown event)
31st March - Rotorua to Taupo 100k Flyer www.eventpromotions.co.nz
15th April - Seaview Classic Criteriums www.summerofcycling.co.nz (http://www.summerofcycling.co.nz/) (Triple Crown event)

[62vette]

Also:

K2, 28 October - www.k2cycle.co.nz
Bike the Lake, 5 November - www.bikethelake.com
Summer of Cycling events from January onwards - www.summerofcycling.co.nz (they even have some Aussie events, loonies go bush or something like that.)

[62vette]

I've done K2 twice. I'm aiming to go under 6:30 this year. There is 2300m of climbing all up. It looks like there is less climbing than the Alpine Classic. The shorter of the climbs in K2 are more more brutal ones and if you are trying to stay in a bunch you can cook your legs too early (which I did last year.) The start point changes each year and this year will be a tough course with the hardest climbs in the last 50km.

[62vette]

Another good one at the end of summer is the Northland 4 day tour, 15 - 18 March next year - www.twincoast-cycle.co.nz

It's really well organised and a cracker ride.

[62vette]

Yep, very handy rider - http://www.teampriorityhealth.com/teams/rider-bios/glen-mitchell

[NzAndy]

Nobody has mentioned these:

October 15 - Hastings Tour of the Bay (110km)
November 12 - Rotorua to Ohope Fun Ride (100km)
Both of these are run by the local clubs and are cheaper than the other major events.

Late March '07 - 100k Flyer (Rotorua to Taupo).

IMHO these are great rides and should be on the list.

Andy