Endurance events like the TT2000 - good idea or bad idea?

[shrub]

I love long rides, and much prefer a ride round the block to an Akaroa squirt, but I sometimes wonder about the wisdom of the endurance events. I understand that there was a fatality in the last TT2000, and I remember hearing that there was either a fatality or a big off last year or the year before. Given the number of people competing, the odds are not pretty if there is a serious accident every year.

While I have ridden over 1000 ks in a day in the past, these days I know that after 7 or 800 kms my concentration is on its way out, so I usually plan on being near to beer and a comfy chair at that point. However on an endurance event there is still a few hundred Ks to go, and if it's the first day, another big day coming up.

I realise that there are a lot of riders out there who can and do ride huge ks safely, but how many people who do things like the TT2000 have the mental and physical stamina to do it safely?

[FJRider]

The ones that can't ... usually pull out before problems occur. The ability to do long rides is a practised skill. Those that do not do long rides find it difficult ... and seldom attempt them again.

I have completed 5 Chatto Creek 1000 milers .... over 1635 km's in 24 hours...

None of them were easy ... and nobody died on any of the times it was run ...

[Gremlin]

it depends on the rider. The TT2000 attracts a slightly different cross section of riders to say, a grand challenge, with people seeing it as a long weekend of riding. The night component of GC discourages a lot of people. You need to know you own limits, and know when it is not safe to continue the event. On the 2010 TT2000 I did about2300km

[Shadowjack]

.... The ability to do long rides is a practised skill. Those that do not do long rides find it difficult ... and seldom attempt them again....

'Zactly.. I participated in the 2010 TT2000 for the first time (my first-ever endurance event). It was the first time I had ridden 1,000kms in a day (x2) - however, on the advice and accumulated wisdom of riding mates, I had done some training for the event (well, it wasn't a hardship, getting in some fairly extensive saddle-time) over the preceding 6 months. I completed 3(ish) Round the Blocks (Chch-Lewis-Greymouth-Arthur's), and the week before the TT2000 had just got back from an 11 day 4k kms North Island trip. each of these was a learning event. I was sore when I finished the TT2k, but didn't feel my concentration had suffered unduly, and aim to participate in the next one, should it occur.

I agree with Gremlin, knowing your limits applies (I would suggest) as much to the commute to work, as it does to an endurance event. Preparation is the key; going in to one cold..well...

[FJRider]

I found the key to long rides is not thinking too far ahead as you ride. Planning your route ... or in the case of th TT2000, studying the route beforehand (if only by using maps). Know where you need to refuel ... YOU as well as the bike. If the furtherest you think ahead is your next stop, with your main thoughts on the hundred metres ahead ... brain fade/overload is less likely ....
Dress warmly (or at least add another layer as the temperature drops) as the cold sneaks up on you. Stay hydrated ... but dont overdo it. The need for a pee often comes at awkward times on occasion ... so dont put it off fo too long.

[STJim]

I enjoyed this years TT2000 . Previous to this I completed a Grand Challenge in 2005 , a Southerncross road rally in 2007 , a 4 points of the Compass poker run in 2008 and a "Longest Day " in November last year. I hope to complete another event this year. At this stage I am uncertain which it will be

[banditrider]

The TT is a great ride and as mentioned above it probably attracts riders who have not necessarily done events like it before because it is not as daunting as a GC (and also because it's on some of the best roads in the country). Riding big miles certainly takes a certain mindset and you need to know when to stop if necessary - no points (or badge) for crashing and not finishing.

After 8 GC's, 3 Southern x's and several other endurance rides I suspect that most accidents are from less experienced riders who think that they have to push hard to achieve the required distance. Breaking the ride into sections is the key and taking it easy - stressing out over the final target aint gonna help.

I kinda got into this sort of thing by accident. I was down in Cromwell for the warbirds and on the day we were planning to head back we got up early and hit the West Coast. The day was fantastic and after stopping in Hokitika for lunch a mate and I decided to head for Picton, stay the night there and then head home to Palmy. We got into Picton pretty early so ended up seeing if we could change our ferry tickets and ended up on a late ferry and back home by 3am. It was my first really big day - something like 1,150km in about 20 hours (including ferry) and I was hooked...

[EJK]

Nobody is forcing you to do em. You choose to participate the event.

It's like bungy jumping I guess.

[shrub]

Riding big Ks is definitely addicitive and the biggest one day trip I have done was about 10 years ago - Auckland to ChCh on a Guzzi LeMans Mk 2 (Christmas eve - I wanted to be back to see my kids). I didn't walk right for about a week, but loved it. These days I enjoy around 7 - 800 ks, but I find much more than that my concentration is gone, so I call it quits. I guess the advantage of doing it solo is not feeling obliged to keep on riding when you start running out of steam.

[LBD]

Rallys like this are a lot of fun and draw a dedicated bunch, myself included.

I consider 6 aspects of these runs being crucial to safety....

1) Know your abilities before you start...if bragging rights, testerone, peer pressure play a large part of the drive and you doubt (or know) your (in)ability, then find an excuse not to go.

2) Know when enough is enough. On the last...(My first) TT2000...I was going good for gold....until day 2 and the Grove track to Picton after Kerikeri/Marahau, Takaka hill and Okiwi Bay, I still had Oyster bay on the plan to acheive gold, but half way to Picton the twisties got the better of me and buggarit I had had enough and settled for Silver. You need to know when enough is enough.

3) If you cannot do it at quasi legal speeds and with a safe riding style, lower your sights, you are a danger to yourself and to others...

4) Stay focused...If you notice a loss of focus, stop for a break..."Driver reviver" All finishers are winners....losers are in a ditch they usually dig for themselves

5)Sleep is your friend, before and on the night between.

6)Food and hydration small regular snacks and sips work for me, not enough and I lose energy and get tired...drinking to much or the wrong drinks have me needing comfort stops but not wanting to stop...another for of stress

Endurance runs like the TT2000, or the various Rusty Nuts runs are great fun but need to be approached in a clear and calculated manner with a realistic knowledge of your own limitations and your own body signals when it says enough.

Thats my rant for the week.

[danchop]

ive never done any of these endurance road rides but the simple fact that lots of people want to participate surely means theyre a good idea,and from being closely related to the person killed whilst on this event this year i would say he would most definately be pissed off if the events were canned because of it