Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge
📍 Taupo, North Island, New Zealand'
Graubünden, Switzerland, Italy · 24–27 September 2026
Difficulty: 3/5 — Hard
A four-day gravel bikepacking adventure spanning the Swiss Alps and Italian Valtellina, offering varied terrain from asphalt to challenging singletrack across two distinct difficulty levels.
Visit official site →This event caters to a wide range of participants, from sporty beginners exploring singletrails to experienced gravel riders seeking longer distances and steeper climbs, with flexible guidance.
Individuals with limited cycling fitness for multi-day efforts, or those uncomfortable with significant elevation gains and technical off-road sections, particularly on the advanced routes, may find the tour difficult.
Participants should prioritize developing sustained endurance, practicing climbing ability on diverse surfaces, and honing basic bike handling skills for both gravel and singletrack.
Compare your W/kg to see how you stack up against this race's typical level — and which races fit you best right now.
You should be able to be active for several hours a day, with daily stages of approximately 70 km and 800 meters of climbing being manageable.
Gravel bikes are the optimal choice, but light, agile cross-country bikes or hardtails with roll-friendly tires and low weight are also suitable.
Yes, perfectly equipped Ritchey Outbacks are available for rent at CHF 220 for four days, delivered directly to the starting point.
No, basic knowledge is sufficient; the tour includes workshops covering material setup and packing logic.
The group size is limited to a maximum of 14 participants to ensure a small, personal experience.
Currently, bikepacking bags are not available for rent, but the organizers are working on providing this option.
📍 Taupo, North Island, New Zealand'
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