Le Grand Challenge?

[saltydog]

So what is the route for this event and where are the check points if the rubberneckers want to sit and check out the action?

[mangell6]

If you are talking about the RustyNuts Grand Challenge, you start at Turangi and travel around the central North Island and then finish in Turangi. The checkpoints are usually at gas stations to assist the riders so spectators can watch there if they are so inclined.

The real answer to your question is "At 7pm on the Friday night of the GC ride the route is placed on the wall, with associated instructions".

[banditrider]

Not really an event for spectators. Why haven't ya entered?

[Waylander]

One of these years I'll have a working bike for my birthday and I'll actually be able to do this ride.

The distance is nothing new to me just the time frame. Never gone that far in a day. 2days however..

[saltydog]

The real answer to your question is "At 7pm on the Friday night of the GC ride the route is placed on the wall, with associated instructions".[/QUOTE]

So no-one knows the route before hand and its all hush hush?! I should have a go at something like this, it would be fun. I met one of the marshalls the other week in Tony Rees. He was also getting a front tyre fitted and told me a bit about it. He mentioned the fastest time ever completed (and reminding me it wasnt techinically a race!) was about 16 odd hours. So back to the man cave with the calulator to work out that the average speed over the entire race was 109km/h........ guy was a unit apparently! But yeah I'd like a ride over to have a look. Where exactly does it start and when?

[shafty]

Briefing is at 2.30pm, with staggered departures thereafter. Mine launch time is 3.24pm for example..........

[mangell6]

Briefing is at 2.30pm, with staggered departures thereafter. Mine launch time is 3.24pm for example..........

From the Turangi Camping Ground, first people off at 3pm and it looks like Lee may get his wish about it being a wet ride.


Again.

[banditrider]

Leaving at 3:03pm and judging by the rain we're currently having there will not be any left for Sat/Sun.

[jafar]

Leaving at 3:03pm and judging by the rain we're currently having there will not be any left for Sat/Sun.

Don't you believe it :devil2:

[saltydog]

:oi-grr:
From the Turangi Camping Ground, first people off at 3pm and it looks like Lee may get his wish about it being a wet ride.


Again.I've just looked at the forecast and it looks like a bit of wind there as well. Hope the boys all have smick rubber and take it easy!

[mangell6]

A little bit wet and windy.

[quickbuck]

..... and take it easy!

A new Tui poster there.

[Lee Rusty]

The real answer to your question is "At 7pm on the Friday night of the GC ride the route is placed on the wall, with associated instructions".

So no-one knows the route before hand and its all hush hush?! I should have a go at something like this, it would be fun. I met one of the marshalls the other week in Tony Rees. He was also getting a front tyre fitted and told me a bit about it. He mentioned the fastest time ever completed (and reminding me it wasnt techinically a race!) was about 16 odd hours. So back to the man cave with the calulator to work out that the average speed over the entire race was 109km/h........ guy was a unit apparently! But yeah I'd like a ride over to have a look. Where exactly does it start and when?[/QUOTE]

Tony Rees is a great bike racer but he nothing to do with the Rusty Nuts M/C he is not a member nor has he ever been a marshall at any of our events He would not have any idea of how fast our riders are now or in the past,
I am sure you have misunderstood what was discussed. It is not a race Techniically or otherwise. I sugget you get you info first hand. Times havent been recorded since 1989 and just because someone says they did it in a certain time means nothing - I have heard of guys who have done it in incredible times but never heard of them and EVERY entry passes through my computor - dont believe all you hear - most of it is bullshit. I have even met the man who told me he WON and got the 1st prize money - HAHAHHA He had never been an entrant - got 1st in a nonexistant rce and claimed the non existent prize money. Some biker are bigger bulshitters than fishermen.
He was surely embaressed when I let him know in no uncertain terms he was full of it.

[Matt_TG]

I think Salty was saying that he was talking to a guy at Tony Rees' shop, not Tony himself. The person mentioned the fastest time but confirmed that it wasn't a race. Race or not, there's still someone with a fastest time out there and I guess that serves as benchmark.


(Thank god for KB ... up at 3.30am due to dog deciding to wake up half the neighbourhood, with due cause - some dodgy looking guys walking the streets)

[Lee Rusty]

I think Salty was saying that he was talking to a guy at Tony Rees' shop, not Tony himself. The person mentioned the fastest time but confirmed that it wasn't a race. Race or not, there's still someone with a fastest time out there and I guess that serves as benchmark.


(Thank god for KB ... up at 3.30am due to dog deciding to wake up half the neighbourhood, with due cause - some dodgy looking guys walking the streets)

in the minds of those who have done the course - We get riders from 16 to 74 with al manner of bikes and skill levels. one mans fastest time is slow to another - Not to forget the route changes each year as do weather conditions - then there are cc differneces etc - The Challenge is to finish - The point I make is that what someone says might not be correct - and it is usually the ones who go on about times that are most likely to inflate speeds and think the clock hands go round faster than they do.

[saltydog]

I think Salty was saying that he was talking to a guy at Tony Rees' shop, not Tony himself. The person mentioned the fastest time but confirmed that it wasn't a race. Race or not, there's still someone with a fastest time out there and I guess that serves as benchmark.


(Thank god for KB ... up at 3.30am due to dog deciding to wake up half the neighbourhood, with due cause - some dodgy looking guys walking the streets)

Thanks Matt, yep the conversation I had was NOT with Tony but a marshall on the course, and yes he did mention that it was not a race.
I went down anyway and had a look, followed off the back with my best mates dad, David Coy and meandered along until Tokoroa where I turned off and headed west. Was good 2 catch up and see how the event was run. Met some good fellas and also latched into another group of riders mainly on harleys who werent in the challenge but were also heading nth. Thanks to the farmer and wife combo drinking steinys and fixing their front fence who provided me with a bit of extra go go juice. After I ran out 4 kays from the servo! So well done Rusty, a good event and if u take it easy on me I'll be a starter for next years. PS: How was that rain during the dark of night? How did they all handle?

[Lee Rusty]

Thanks Matt, yep the conversation I had was NOT with Tony but a marshall on the course, and yes he did mention that it was not a race.
I went down anyway and had a look, followed off the back with my best mates dad, David Coy and meandered along until Tokoroa where I turned off and headed west. Was good 2 catch up and see how the event was run. Met some good fellas and also latched into another group of riders mainly on harleys who werent in the challenge but were also heading nth. Thanks to the farmer and wife combo drinking steinys and fixing their front fence who provided me with a bit of extra go go juice. After I ran out 4 kays from the servo! So well done Rusty, a good event and if u take it easy on me I'll be a starter for next years. PS: How was that rain during the dark of night? How did they all handle?

Ok i see it now it was the way it was written, my applogys to Tony if he took umbridge at my comment.
It is not a good thing to run out of gas on a GC so get that bit sorted and give it a go next year if you like.