Roof of Africa

[oldguy]

Hey was just browsing the Waitemata MCC new look web site,http://www.waitematamcc.co.nz/ :niceone: and came across the link to the Roof of Africa, http://www.roof-of-africa.com/ looks like chris is going well, Rory had a DNF and Ollie was a bit slower than expected.
check it out for your selves, ive upped the PDF files

Go Chris

[little.whittle]

Birchy and Mead both in top five on friday afternoon :niceone:

[noobi]

the link is http://www.roof-of-africa.com/index.php, sorry oldguy you posted the wmcc link twice

I found a list of results different to the ones listed which have since been taken down, After the round the houses stage, Chris was in 2nd, 30seconds behind Jade Gutzeit on the BMW. total time was around something like 1:27:34s , so not really a long stage, this was for thursday.
But from the sound of it after reading the WMCC article, sounds like there was more than 1 time trial on Thursday

prize money for the winner is around 19,000 NZD ~ 100,000 rand

[little.whittle]

152737

152738

Birchy

[little.whittle]

http://www.roof-of-africa.com/index.php?option=com_joomgallery&func=detail&id=353&Itemid=3#

[little.whittle]

152741

Mead

[little.whittle]

http://www.roof-of-africa.com/components/com_joomgallery/img_pictures/roof_2009_7/roof_2009_20091126_1292466921.jpg

Somebody has some cash :shit:

[oldguy]

the link is http://www.roof-of-africa.com/index.php, sorry oldguy you posted the wmcc link twice

I found a list of results different to the ones listed which have since been taken down, After the round the houses stage, Chris was in 2nd, 30seconds behind Jade Gutzeit on the BMW. total time was around something like 1:27:34s , so not really a long stage, this was for thursday.
But from the sound of it after reading the WMCC article, sounds like there was more than 1 time trial on Thursday

prize money for the winner is around 19,000 NZD ~ 100,000 rand

sorry mate, I better check my medication:lol::msn-wink: all fixed:niceone:

[andy 101]

Looks like nz 1 & 2 on corrected time, birch winner and mead second.

[oldguy]

Results for Saturday..and how it panned out.....

Saturday 28 November 2009

16:20 - On corrected times the official winners of the 2009 Roof of Africa are:
Chris Birch (New Zealand) on a KTM
Rory Mead (New Zealand) on a Yamaha
Jade Gutzeit (South Africa) on a BMW

15:44 - Jade Gutzeit on a G450X BMW was the first motorcycle home, ahead of New Zealnd rider Rory Mead on 250cc Yamaha

14:52 - Jade Gutzeit was the first motorcycle to cross the road at Two-Bridges, followed by Rory Mead

13:57 - 21 competitors have left Ramabanta on the final stage to Roma

13:05 - Lettenbichler has just left Ramabanta on the final 52 km section to the finish at Roma trading Post, ahead of Jade Gutzeit who rides shotgun on the second BMW. they are followed by Rory Mead, Kenny Gilbert, and Darryl Curtis.

08:50 - Andreas Lettenbichler (Germany) just left Ramabanta into Baboons Pass ahead of jade Gutzeit (South Africa), Kyle Redman (USA) and Rory Mead (New Zealand)

08:44 - Chris Birch returned to the start because he landed on the wrong route, he was just restarted

05:55 - Not a cloud in site, a clear day with a slight breeze blowing in Lesotho. AccuWeather forecasts a maximum 34 degrees Celsius.
Many of those lined up to start today's stage, are in agony.

[little.whittle]

Woo great result!!

[cave weta]

So Exciting! NZ 1 and 2. that is just incredible.

I wish I had the Balls to ride competitivly. My body is so worn nowadays though.... I go for a ride and bits drop off- its a bit like having a Shineray or a Hummer :blank:

[oldguy]

So Exciting! NZ 1 and 2. that is just incredible.

I wish I had the Balls to ride competitivly. My body is so worn nowadays though.... I go for a ride and bits drop off- its a bit like having a Shineray or a Hummer :blank:

Sad thing about it all, is yet another motorcycle event, with kiwis at the top of there game, will go unnoticed by the rest of the country out side the motorcycling community.
Not only did Chris win it last year, but successfully defended it this year, and to have Rory Mead finishing runner up, just bloody awesome, but no one will know, because the AB's game will over shadow it.

I always thought Ollie Sharp was an MXer, that would have to be a big leaning curve for him.

Well done Guys

[Pornstar]

i agree, same goes for MR Whibly too.

[vazza]

Congrats chris & rory :D!

[theblacksmith]

Sad thing about it all, is yet another motorcycle event, with kiwis at the top of there game, will go unnoticed by the rest of the country out side the motorcycling community.
Not only did Chris win it last year, but successfully defended it this year, and to have Rory Mead finishing runner up, just bloody awesome, but no one will know, because the AB's game will over shadow it.

I always thought Ollie Sharp was an MXer, that would have to be a big leaning curve for him.

Well done Guys

We were told the good news by the commentator at the Wyndham Street Races.Few thousand kiwis were cheering for them there.
Well done Guys.
You are machines!!!

[Bradz]

Sad thing about it all, is yet another motorcycle event, with kiwis at the top of there game, will go unnoticed by the rest of the country out side the motorcycling community.
Not only did Chris win it last year, but successfully defended it this year, and to have Rory Mead finishing runner up, just bloody awesome, but no one will know, because the AB's game will over shadow it.

I always thought Ollie Sharp was an MXer, that would have to be a big leaning curve for him.

Well done Guys

Had to have a laugh one news sports tonight wrapped with a segment on womens roller derby... WTF is that about... oh and there was a portion of thugby thrown in :argh:

[xen]

excellent result.. big ups guys!

[fergie]

Well done guys, pity it's only mainstream sports that get tv coverage here. i wish we could subscribe to eurosport here.they have coverage of ALL sports,not just rugby.

[secondfield]

Mint.... absolutely mint result!

[vazza]

Would have been intense for Chris having Rory biting at his heels! They're both incredibly competitive hahah.

Both world class riders ;)

[Ktmboy]

I think Chris was 2hrs 14 minutes ahead of Mead. Not quite yapping at his heels Vin.:whistle:

[vazza]

I think Chris was 2hrs 14 minutes ahead of Mead. Not quite yapping at his heels Vin.:whistle:

True that! I was told Rory was only 45minutes behind Chris, that was on the Saturday though.

My bad!

[kezzafish]

My body is so worn nowadays though.... I go for a ride and bits drop off- its a bit like having a Shineray or a Hummer :blank:

lol, or leprosy?

Well done to those fellas. Sucks that ya don't hear about it on the telly. If we weren't all too busy we'd send letters to the TV providers

[camchain]

What an amazing adventure and what a fine result.
Hard to get any detail info off that ROA website, have to open stupid PDFs for everything and still no idea of total distance covered.

Be good to know what happened to Ollie Sharp, real gutsy to take on an event like this. I feel ashamed of my mediocrity.

Funny you should mention that about TV kezza, I fought my apathy and found some TV contact stuff.

[SpikedPunch]

Had to have a laugh one news sports tonight wrapped with a segment on womens roller derby... WTF is that about... oh and there was a portion of thugby thrown in :argh:

Hey! I played Derby for two years until I bunged my knee and discovered dirtbikes. It's all run by the skaters for the skaters - and there is a huge effort on all of those girl's parts to promote the sport in the media. As in there is a specific committee in each league dedicated to media, not mention fundraising. hours and hours of unpaid time go towards organising all things derby, and it's all done by the players, not to mention four hours weekly training off season, six hours in season + 1-2 hours off skate training per week. They are a dedicated bunch and just as legitimate as any other sport.
Of course, all you'll see on the telly is girls in skirts and costumes, falling over. Just like all you'll see of bike stuff is the crashes or maybe some fmx. The general public aren't interested in learning the rules of a new sport and want instant entertainment and gimmicks - the derby girls know this and have used it to their advantage the whole way, and gained a bunch of legitimate fans and had sold out games in the process :)
By the way - the girls were pissed off about that segment. They didn't even mention who won the bloody game! How's that for reporting? 'In other news, some girls rollerskated around a rink and bashed each other a bit - the end.'
[/rant]

[clmintie]

Hey Spike, well written post, you should get a $100k/yr job at MNZ... PROMOTING OUR SPORT..........:whistle:

[Bradz]

Hey! I played Derby for two years until I bunged my knee and discovered dirtbikes. It's all run by the skaters for the skaters - and there is a huge effort on all of those girl's parts to promote the sport in the media. As in there is a specific committee in each league dedicated to media, not mention fundraising. hours and hours of unpaid time go towards organising all things derby, and it's all done by the players, not to mention four hours weekly training off season, six hours in season + 1-2 hours off skate training per week. They are a dedicated bunch and just as legitimate as any other sport.
Of course, all you'll see on the telly is girls in skirts and costumes, falling over. Just like all you'll see of bike stuff is the crashes or maybe some fmx. The general public aren't interested in learning the rules of a new sport and want instant entertainment and gimmicks - the derby girls know this and have used it to their advantage the whole way, and gained a bunch of legitimate fans and had sold out games in the process :)
By the way - the girls were pissed off about that segment. They didn't even mention who won the bloody game! How's that for reporting? 'In other news, some girls rollerskated around a rink and bashed each other a bit - the end.'
[/rant]

A good perspective, though i wasnt having a dig at the sport persay more that the news gave time to a piece about a random sport at a time when kiwis are conquering the world in their event..:yes:

[SpikedPunch]

Haha! I just don't think the derby style of marketing would work eh. For one, with all those short skirts and fishnets, the enduro guys would have to shave their legs, and then it might as well be cycling!
In the very early days of NZ derby we'd do flyer/poster runs around central Auckland on our skates. A poster run around town on a dirtbike doesn't sound too bad. At least bikes have brakes ;)

[SpikedPunch]

A good perspective, though i wasnt having a dig at the sport persay more that the news gave time to a piece about a random sport at a time when kiwis are conquering the world in their event..:yes:

That 'random' sport has been around since the 1930's (although the modern revival began in the early 2000's). It was on the news because a) it was the season championships of NZ's biggest derby league, and b) Thanks to the petitioning and efforts of the derby girls, 'Whip it' a film about roller derby, is going to be released in NZ either late this year or early next year. So it's a 'hot topic'. Of course ROA should have been on the news, it's kiwis winning internationally! It's stupid that it wasn't. But the squeaky wheel gets the grease. And derby girls just so happen to have meticulously greased bearings :innocent: You've gotta remember, you and I might be familiar with enduro/xc/mx/whatever, but it's a pretty 'random' sport to people who haven't got anything to do with it.
Ok seriously, I'm off topic here...Back to facebook or something :)

[Chia]

oh... so got any photos of you in your derby getup ???
That's crazy stuff, but hey you went from one crazy sport to an even better crazier one so bigups to you chick :2thumbsup

[Ktmboy]

oh... so got any photos of you in your derby getup ???
That's crazy stuff, but hey you went from one crazy sport to an even better crazier one so bigups to you chick :2thumbsup

Go SpikedPunch post the evidence!!:yes:

[barty5]

oh... so got any photos of you in your derby getup ???
That's crazy stuff, but hey you went from one crazy sport to an even better crazier one so bigups to you chick :2thumbsup

facebook some crazy outfits

[SpikedPunch]

oh... so got any photos of you in your derby getup ???
That's crazy stuff, but hey you went from one crazy sport to an even better crazier one so bigups to you chick :2thumbsup

I still maintain that dirtbikes are way safer than derby, I broke my tailbone, ruptured a ligament in my knee, did some nerve damage to my elbows and countless bruises and a bloody lip (seriously thankful for my mouthguard!) from derby. All I've done biking is bruises and a little whiplash :woohoo: *knock wood*

Bonus trailer for doco that never seems to have gotten made. I'm at the very start skating towards the screen. We filmed a 'how to play derby' segment up in a building on quay street with cool lighting and flour all over the floor for dramatic effect. Unfortunatley one of the girls was gluten intolerant :sweatdrop No idea what happened to all that footage but it was cool. That's also my leg with the knife shoved down the kneepads:
<object width="560" height="340"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/j9GjhH2iV8A&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/j9GjhH2iV8A&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object>
Edit: 20/20 segment on my old league:
pt1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GaN71D3Yyb0
pt2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G4458NB8n0M&feature=related

Pix! :) :

[secondfield]

Jesus'! - rough bitches :woohoo:

haha y'all look like half my rellie's

[camchain]

Thought I'd put this up, dug out of PDF from Race organisers Press Release:

Chris Birch commented after the finish: "It was really tough, I am not as tired as yesterday, but I worked hard today. All I could do when I re-started (after a wrong turn) was to focus and ride my absolute best, but I am very happy to take the trophy home this year."

"This is by far the toughest race I have ever done" commented New Zealand’s Rory Mead, who finished second overall in his maiden race on a 250cc Yamaha, behind his countrymen and defending champion Chris Birch.

Having won the race by 45 minutes last year, Birch returned with the knowledge that he was under pressure to defend his title, but was confident that he was well prepared to do so. However, he managed to outride second placed Mead by a massive 2 hours and 14 minutes, placing him way up in a class of his own in the 43 year old history of the Roof of Africa.

Andreas Lettenbichler (Germany) rode exceptionally well and left many people in awe with his astounding skill and the way he mastered mountain passes where others really struggled. After a technical problem he finished in 3rd place only 12 seconds behind NZ's Rory Mead.

Indicating just how exceptionally difficult the race really was, only 23 competitors of the 102 starters doing the full event, finished the race, with a number of riders spending Friday night out in the mountains, accommodated by the local communities in their villages. Only 4 riders made it to the finish in the Seniors, Masters and Silver Classes of the 117 competitors who entered to race 75% of the route.

I enjoyed that roller derby item. Good to have some variety instead of recent footy eye-gouging incident repeated ad nauseum. I like violence as much as the next man (or roller derby woman) but no place for eye-gouging in sport. No mention NZ podium finishers of amazing African motorcycle race? WTF?

[spacemonkey]

Kiwi boys Chris Birch and Rory Mead 1st and 2nd places in the Roof of Africa race!


RESULTS 2009 ROOF OF AFRICA
1 Chris Birch KTM New Zealand 19:07:08
2 Rory Mead Yamaha New Zealand 21:20:53
3 Jade Gutzeit BMW South Africa 21:21:05
4 Darryl Curtis KTM South Africa 21:40:53

http://www.ktm.com/KTM-News.223.0.html?nodeID=107760&cHash=cf41db821c

:Punk::Punk::Punk::Punk::Punk:

[Pornstar]

Imagine how close the race would have been if Rory was also on a KTM.

[t595]

Imagine how close the race would have been if Rory was also on a KTM.

Probably the same? i dont think chris's bike has any special powers

[vazza]

Imagine how close the race would have been if Rory was also on a KTM.

LOL! Yeh like little.w said, it's all about the rider!

But yeh, I see where you're coming from, KTM is FAR better than YamaHAHA. So yeh, rory probably would be tied with Chris......

haha barty :D

[camchain]

Imagine how close the race would have been if Rory was also on a KTM.

Hmm, there might actually be something to that. Doubt if Rory's loaner YZ would have been set up as well as his own bike. Hard work getting a YZ to tip-toe up a boulder infested climb.

[Pornstar]

Thankyou Vazza and Camchain.

[little.whittle]

Chris used the same bike that he used for the romainiacs. Think he gets to test new powerparts etc as a semi factory bike

[vazza]

Hmm, there might actually be something to that. Doubt if Rory's loaner YZ would have been set up as well as his own bike. Hard work getting a YZ to tip-toe up a boulder infested climb.

I heard he got a brand new YZ for roof. Not 100% sure though.

[barty5]

id say his bike was set u rather well shimwells Yamaha are rather big in south Africa and sponsor quit a few racers

[green machine]

Geez you KTM boys crack me up,your love of KTM's is bordering on mechanophilia:laugh:.....what about all KTM's he beat on his Yamaha.....

[vazza]

Mate once you jump on a KTM you'll never go back.

I've tried all the flavours!

Apart from Red.. eww :puke: haha

[Pornstar]

I am trying to get one, soon , soon.

[green machine]

Mate once you jump on a KTM you'll never go back.

I've tried all the flavours!

Apart from Red.. eww :puke: haha

Ooooh maybe Vazza,my mate who has a KTM250sx rode my bike for the day at Glen Murray and lets just say he had a grin a mile wide and is now a torn man..........hahaha

[Pornstar]

Until he trys a KTM sxF that is.

[green machine]

Until he trys a KTM sxF that is.

Hate to burst ya bubble Pornstar but have a read of any 09 450 Shootout Article and the proof is in print

[flyingcr250]

Until he trys a KTM sxF that is.

im thinking about buying a 4t after xmas. gunna be a KTM or a KXF, gunna keep the 2t too though

[vazza]

Ooooh maybe Vazza,my mate who has a KTM250sx rode my bike for the day at Glen Murray and lets just say he had a grin a mile wide and is now a torn man..........hahaha

I must admit those new EFI KXF450s are pretty amazing, I would love to try one.

[t595]

Havnt seen knighter on the podium at any extreme events since he went 4stroke?:Pokey: arent they meant to be the bees knees?

[Rupe]

Havnt seen knighter on the podium at any extreme events since he went 4stroke?:Pokey: arent they meant to be the bees knees?

Has he done any yet? Good to see him back doing them if he is.

[green machine]

Havnt seen knighter on the podium at any extreme events since he went 4stroke?:Pokey: arent they meant to be the bees knees?
Really?...... i beg to differ
http://www.knighter.net/joomla/

[Rupe]

Really?...... i beg to differ
http://www.knighter.net/joomla/

Also says he's signed to ktm for 2010:doh: thats going to start these ktm boys off on another rant. At least it's a 4stroke:blink:

[t595]

Really?...... i beg to differ
http://www.knighter.net/joomla/

extreme events??

[green machine]

Also says he's signed to ktm for 2010:doh: thats going to start these ktm boys off on another rant. At least it's a 4stroke:blink:
Hahaha you're not wrong........

[4stroke]

Mate once you jump on a KTM you'll never go back.

I've tried all the flavours!

Apart from Red.. eww :puke: haha

i tried a ktm, and i didnt like it terribly much, if im not on a husky ill got back to honda, altho would like a husky wr250 with a 300 kit.

[Chia]

im thinking about buying a 4t after xmas. gunna be a KTM or a KXF, gunna keep the 2t too though

yep yep, go with the KXF... :first:

[daddycool651]

Until he trys a KTM sxF that is.

well Pornstar ,:Offtopic: I have tried Ktm sxf's 250 and 450's and thats why I prefer my 2 stroke , as much as I liked riding them ( and love my KTM's ) they were no comparison to the 09 KXF 450 ... Im no test rider ( altho that is my dream job) but like steve (Greenmachine ) said I had a grin from ear to ear , if you combined the lightweight snappiness of the ktm250sx with the torque of a 4 stroke you get an alround bike like the 09 kxf , smooth unintimidating power , corners superbly , and it pulls like a virgin at a peep show .... im not dissing anyones preference but mine was made a lot harder ...

[barty5]

Havnt seen knighter on the podium at any extreme events since he went 4stroke?:Pokey: arent they meant to be the bees knees?

didnt he do and win a whole shit load on his ktm 525 he use to ride before he went to BMW all of which were 4t??????

[t595]

didnt he do and win a whole shit load on his ktm 525 he use to ride before he went to BMW all of which were 4t??????

think he rode the 2stroke for extreme but preferred the 4stroke for the gncc and shit?

[vazza]

think he rode the 2stroke for extreme but preferred the 4stroke for the gncc and shit?

Yeh thats right. He did race a 250 2T in the GNCC but wasnt as comfortable with it. Changed to the 4T.

[camchain]

id say his bike was set u rather well shimwells Yamaha are rather big in south Africa and sponsor quit a few racers
Interesting. Bloody good of them to help out with the bike. I wonder if they'll be as helplful if he wants another go next year. There's a very long list of RSA riders behind Rory and Chris! Gotta watch those tricky Sairth Effricans, especially when they serve food to opposition teams.

[denill]

Did you read the <a href=http://www.cyclenews.com/articles/off-road/2009/11/30/birch-tops-roof-of-africa>Cycle News Report?</A>

[cave weta]

Go Boys!

153422

[secondfield]

haha don't squirt it at people .... scull that back boyo! :yes:

[SpikedPunch]

haha don't squirt it at people .... scull that back boyo! :yes:

It's the New Zealand way! * wipes tear* ;)

[vazza]

Guys check out this link. Really good footage of Roof.

Has birchy fall off haha, first time I seen him bail! :P

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=udrHC1-ZWeY

[xen]

Good find, cheers. See Birchy's skill, he's the only 1 doin the section standing up :headbang:

[merv]

Good on ya Chris and Rory.

Ssshhhh don't tell the cops but Rory was riding his YZ down our street the other day. Used to do it regularly on his trials bike too back wehn he was doing trials. No worries with ACC with no rego eh!



Good find, cheers. See Birchy's skill, he's the only 1 doin the section standing up :headbang:

Didn't help him though did it. Bit of cnut hill that one :cool:

[Ktmboy]

You also see Ollie Sharp at 1.08 mins on the Wr250. made it up piece of piss.

[Shorty_925]

Good on ya Chris and Rory.

Ssshhhh don't tell the cops but Rory was riding his YZ down our street the other day. Used to do it regularly on his trials bike too back wehn he was doing trials. No worries with ACC with no rego eh!




Didn't help him though did it. Bit of cnut hill that one :cool:

Still does trials but not as often. He won the first day(and only day he rode) of Expert A at the Nationals.

[t595]

Guys check out this link. Really good footage of Roof.

Has birchy fall off haha, first time I seen him bail! :P

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=udrHC1-ZWeY

yea i think he was just showing off for the camera!!:clap:

[Dingledoo]

The DVD of Roof of Africa is available now. I'm selling a copy on Trade-me if anyone is interested:
http://www.trademe.co.nz/DVDs-movies/nz/auction-260159174/k-.htm