Weekend in Taupo

Ben, Toni and Mags started training this time last year for the 160-km around the lake Taupo cycle. Along with 11,300 other competitors, they set off very early on Saturday morning. The weather was perfect for cycling being overcast and no wind. We went down to Taupo for the weekend to support with Laura. We quite like the life as supporters rather than competitors....it started with brunch!



Yum!





Banners and clappers at the ready...

Before we knew it, Ben came racing across the line at the front of his pack.



Back to the finishing line and lots of cheering for Toni and Mags arriving in!







An amazing organisational effort goes into the Taupo cycle as there is also a relay option. Bikes and people have to be moved to the correct transtion points at the right times. We watched some of the bikes being loaded up. Think how many thousands of dollars are on that crane!!





The post-race entertainment included some amazing stunts and "bunny hops".



Sunday was a completely different day weather-wise. It would have been far too hot for cycling, but it was perfect for a fishing trip on the lake. We chartered a boat for a couple of hours and amazingly all caught a big trout!










The trout survived the drive back to Auckland in ice and we decided to sample our catch the same day with an evening BBQ.











From lake to plate in just a few hours!