Cycle sports are on the rise right now. Everywhere you look there are road cyclists and mountain bikers, and the calendar is full of events catering to this bike boom. But one of these events, the Coromandel Peninsula’s gruelling K2, is experiencing a boom all of it’s own.
When most people here reference to “K2”, their thoughts go to the mountain that many say is harder to conquer than Everest. In cycling circles the Round Lake Taupo ride is Everest, and “K2” is the 200k tour of the Coromandel Peninsula that those in know have dubbed “New Zealand’s toughest bike race”.
What is it about feats of endurance and suffering that so attracts us all? You’d think that an event dubbed the toughest in the country would be a good reason not to ride. But this year organisers of Coromandel’s K2 are experiencing record entries that they hope will see the event click over the 2000 rider barrier for the first time.
Since the inaugural event in 2002, this spectacular and challenging tour of the Coromandel Peninsula has become one of New Zealand’s favourite road cycling events. Organisers Andy Reid and Keith Stephenson, who promote several popular endurance events in the Coromandel region, were looking to organise a road cycling event that combined the rigours of European cycling with New Zealand’s supreme surroundings when they realised they had exactly that right on their doorstep.
“We were wondering where we might design a great road cycle course,” says Reid, “when we realised that a lap of the Coromandel Peninsula is exactly 200k and has some brutal climbing and brilliant scenery. It just seemed perfect.”
In many ways K2 is perfect. With approx 40 kilometres of climbing and 2300m of altitude gain, this classic course has become a must-do among elite and recreational cyclists alike. But Reid and Stephenson added their own twist by alternating the start/finish venue with the four main townships around the Coromandel Peninsula course.
This aspect of the race makes it different from any other cycle race says Stephenson. “The course is a real classic, but it’s good to keep events fresh and unique too. The course stays the same, but every year you ride it the changing start and finish venues make it almost completely different in the way you approach the ride.”
This year Thames plays host, which means participants get over the infamous Kopu-Hikuai climb when they’re still fresh. The 14k long, 425m high Kopu-Hikuai is the events longest climb and comes after just 15k. After that there are 40k of rolling hills down into Tairua township, and then 50k inland through picturesque valleys and the 240m high Pumpkin Hill to Whitianga, which is halfway. A brutal 50k over the hills of “Kuaotunu” and Whangaparoa to Coromandel follows, and then it’s 50k of flat riding along the Firth of Thames back to the finish.
Scheduled for Saturday October 27, organisers have been experiencing record entries almost 100 percent ahead of last year. This indicates as many as 2500 could line up in Thames. The flagship event is the full 200k “K2”, which can be done solo or in teams of two or four. But there is also the Pearl Izumi K1 from Whitianga to Thames, which is 100k and can be done solo or in teams of two. There is even a “Quarter K”, a 50k challenge from Coromandel to Thames for rookies wanting an introduction to the fun ride world.
“We’re trying to provide something for everyone,” says co-organiser Andy Reid. “There is an increasing amount of people taking up cycling, but not everyone is willing or able to take on a big challenge like K2. So these shorter options give them a chance to enjoy the atmosphere while they take on a challenge that suits their fitness and experience.”
With a prize pool to match the challenge, K2 is a highlight of the year for many of the country’s top riders. Both men and women compete for a $1000 first prize, plus King and Queen of the Mountain sprints totalling $1000 for both men and women.
In 2006 Denmark’s women’s Tour de France champion, Linda Villumsen, dominated the female elite section, while the men’s race went to Team Subway’s Fraser McMaster, a successful NZ rider on the European circuit). Villumsen is back in 2007 and McMaster says his Subway team will also be back. But they’ll need to be in the best shape ever if they want to control 2007’s race because also on the line will be American pro team, Priority Health/Bissell.
Priority Health is USA’s fourth ranked team and is managed by former New Zealand Olympian Glen Mitchell. Their line up includes many of the USA’s leading emerging riders, including recent Pan American Games silver medallist Emile Abraham, Australian criterion champion Richard England, and Ben Jacques-Maynes who currently sits second on the USA’s national road rankings.
Also lining up is experienced American pro, Johnny Rondash. But Team Priority Health team will have the advantage perhaps even over New Zealanders because Glen Mitchell, a two time Olympian, two time New Zealand champion, former Oceania champion, and three time K2 winner will keep his team well schooled in the tough 200k around the Coromandel Peninsula.
Organised by Adventure Racing Coromandel, K2 is an event with something for everyone. Their other events include Kathmandu Moehau Multisport Race, The Kauri Run, the White Star Intrigue mountain bike event and the ARC Adventure Race. Their events benefit the Spirit of Coromandel Trust, which provides opportunities for young people to experience the outdoors.
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