Some of the best ideas start with a few mates and a bike shop coffee. For Fat Fathers Cycling, that's exactly how it began - a Friday morning ride around the Wellington bays that's since grown into a 100-strong crew of regulars who can't imagine starting their day any other way.
This November, 35 of them are taking that friendship to a whole new level. Six days. Over 1,000km. More than 11,000 metres of climbing. All the way from Wellington to Taupō - finishing with a lap of the lake at the Lake Taupō Cycle Challenge.
It's a mammoth effort, and they're not doing it just for the ’fun of it’. The crew are riding to raise $200,000 for KidsCan, building on a fundraiser they ran for the same cause back in 2016. It's proof that what starts as a few dads chasing fitness can turn into something that changes kids' lives.
We caught up with the Fat Fathers Cycling crew to talk training, Puku Pies, windy route choices, and what it'll mean to roll up to that LTCC start line after a week none of them will forget.
Tell us a bit about the group. Who are the 35 riders taking on this epic journey, and how did you all come together?
Fat Fathers Cycling (FFC) was a started over 15 years ago by a few dads who wanted to do some cycling to get a bit fitter. They decided to meet at iRide, a Wellington bike shop, on a Friday morning and to bike around the Wellington bays. They enjoyed it so much that it became a regular Friday morning ride. From these small beginnings, FFC has grown to over 100 members with regular morning rides on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday before work and Sunday for a longer ride. Numbers vary depending on what is coming up but we usually peak for the Lake Taupō Cycle Challenge and the rides that precede it like the Ride Holidays Martinborough Fun Ride. It is not compulsory to be fat to join and we have some great mums who ride with us too!
Where did the idea of riding from Wellington to Taupō over six days, before tackling the Lake Taupō Cycle Challenge, come from? And how easy was it to convince 35 people to sign up?
10 years ago we rode from Christchurch to Queenstown to raise money for KidsCan. A decade on we decided that we should look for a North Island tour to do another fundraiser. After a few itineraries were proposed and rejected, some bright spark suggested we ride to Taupō and then do the Cycle Challenge, taking on the Shimano Round the Lake, the next day. It seemed like a great idea at the time! From there a group were assigned to plot the route. Unfortunately they were all a bit keen and fit and they chose a circuitous trip via Wairarapa, Taranaki and the Forgotten Highway. It was pointed out that there are more direct routes to Taupō, but it was decided that a windy and hilly option was better. Despite the challenges presented by the route, we had a full quota of riders pretty quickly and also volunteers to drive vans and even a UCI legend who runs the rulers over bikes at the Tour de France who is in charge of safety for our whole trip. Zac Prendergast also volunteered for our South Island tour 10 years ago and we appreciate his, and everyone else’s amazing support.
You're aiming to raise an incredible $200,000 for KidsCan. Why did you choose to support this cause, and what does reaching that target mean to the group? Where are you currently at with the fundraising?
We supported KidsCan in 2016 and raised $175,000 back then. As parents, we appreciate the importance of giving kids a good start in life. Our kids generally have the benefit of warm clothes, food, footwear and the other necessities for everyday life. However, we know that not all Kiwi kids are in the same position. We felt KidsCan was a great charity to support because of their focus on kids in need and the fact they deliver so much tangible support.
How is everyone preparing for such a massive week on the bike?
Everyone’s preparation is different. Some have ridden over 15,000kms already this year. Some haven’t. Some have been on a dedicated diet of Puku Pies, and others have been fasting. Generally speaking we are getting up at ungodly hours of the day and riding around Wellington’s bays and hills. Although it can be windy and cold, the beautiful views, stunning sunrises and good company make it all worthwhile. As much as anything, we look forward to a coffee and scone at iRide after the ride and before work as a great way to start the day.
After six days of riding, you'll be lining up for the Lake Taupō Cycle Challenge. What will it mean to reach Taupō and take on that final lap of the lake together?
It will be a huge effort to reach Taupō. In 2016 we rode 650kms all up and climbed 6400 meters. 10 years on and 10 years older, we will ride 1,000kms and climb over 11,000 meters all told! The final two days are both over 135kms and 2,000 meters so getting to the LTCC start line will be massive. It will certainly be more riding and climbing that any of us have done before. The Lake Taupō Cycle Challenge is a big event for us. Many of our group have ridden more than 10 ‘round Taupōs’ and some more than 15. We will ride together and treat it as another day on tour rather than competing for a best time. It will be nice to stop in Turangi for a pie! Getting over the finish line will be emotional and satisfying after a big week. It will also be a time for thinking about our families who have supported us through training and the week away.
How will you be celebrating post event?
We will be celebrating with Karl Woolcott in the Ride Holidays tent! There may be a few celebratory beverages. After that, we have a dinner booked to celebrate the trip and reflect on what we have, hopefully, achieved.
What would you say to others thinking about getting their mates together to take on a cycling challenge for a good cause?
Firstly, it is a privilege to be able to take the time and ride our bikes with mates for a week. We realise that, and realise that not everyone can spare that time. However, as the FFC has shown, just starting small can lead to big things. Cycling is not something that many of us ever thought we would get into in a big way. But we’ve found it is a great way to stay fit, connect with friends and socialise. We wouldn’t get up in the morning if we didn’t have others doing the same thing and waiting for us at iRide. That is the main message. We may be middle aged men in lycra, but we’ve found the benefits from riding together vastly outweigh the odd choice comment from drivers going past! If you’re looking for a challenge then starting small with a few mates on bikes is a great option.
FFC’s fundraising page is here: https://givealittle.co.nz/event/ffc4kidscan2026
You can check out their website here: https://ffc1000charityride.netlify.app/
