Australia - New Zealand - NZ North Island MUST DO Summer Rides

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)

Dec 31st 2006 - The Inaugral 'All kiwis ride off nearest cliff' Classic - www.kiwisrideoffcliff.co.nz

apparently foxtel in australia has expressed interest in covering it for the domestic audience over here. definately one to watch :p

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.)

Also:

K2, 28 October - www.k2cycle.co.nz


K2 sounds like a good ride - i might pop over and do that next year. i wonder how it compares to the alpine classic over here..similar distances anyway.

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.

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.

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.

now that could work for me big time next march - good timing from my point of view. thanks for all that info :)

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.

who's this glen mitchell guy (5:18:54) obviously can handle himself on a bike...

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

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

yep not bad at all lol :o

he seems to ride at 68kgs approx - i have so much weight to strip :(

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