2008 Grand Challenge route revealed

[Hitcher]

Thanks Puddy for TXTing the route for this year's Grand Challenge.

Start: Turangi
Taumarunui
Piopio
Waitomo
Te Anga
Kawhia
Whakamaru
Taupo
Napier
Waipawa
Waipukurau
Masterton
Pahiatua
Palmerston North
Vinegar Hill
Waiouru
Taupo
Rotorua
Whakamaru
Benneydale
Te Kuiti
Taumarunui
National Park
Rangipo
Turangi.

1609km. Marvellous.

I see that Lee Rusty has managed to secret more than a couple of goat tracks into that mix.

I so wish I was doing this.

Ride safely tomorrow everybody, and I hope that the weather holds off.

More info about checkpoints and other relevant route information will be posted as soon as I hear from my sources at Turangi.

[gijoe1313]

Cheers for that Hitcher, blardy marvellous looking route ... will have to investigate it meself one day!

[Hitcher]

UPDATE:

Waipukurau to Masterton is via Route 52.

Timecheck at Te Anga.

Checkpoints at Te Kawa crossroads; Waipukurau; Masterton; Rotorua; Te Kuiti; National Park.

[Hitcher]

WEATHER INFORMATION

It looks like the field may encounter a bit of weather, but the outlook isn't that bad.

[Blackbird]

I reckon that Lee is going soft! The Te Anga leg will be knocked off in daylight and that would be dire in the dark! He sent us out to Kawhia in the dark and that WAS dire!

As always though, the Grand Challenge is an apt title and best of luck to all!

[Hitcher]

Google Maps estimates this route at 1,624km. That's based on turning at town centres. Service station checkpoints may be closer to the edge of towns, shaving a few km.

[MaxB]

Thanks for that Hitcher. Most appreciated. Seems like its 99% seal and the 'bad bits' will be over in daylight. But being up on the Central plateau will make it interesting overnight.

Just got in from work so no go for me this year.

[Beemer]

You really ARE suffering withdrawal symptoms, aren't you, Hitcher!

Andy rang late last night to tell me where they were heading. Looks like they may strike it lucky with the weather, although it may be cold heading down the Wairarapa. He said he should be reaching Palmerston North about 3am tomorrow and he thinks it will be very tempting not to ride the extra 50kms and come home!

He surprised a few people this year by turning up on a different bike to the R100RS he's used for many years. He bought a second-hand R1100RT a few weeks ago so he's giving that a try this time. Hopefully it will be a tad more comfortable than the old Beemer.

The best bit for me is about 9am Sunday morning when he rings me to say he's finished!

Good luck everyone, and I hope you all finish safely.

[Hitcher]

They'll be at Kawhia by now...

[Beemer]

At least, judging by the weather forecast I've just seen, they aren't going to be hit as badly as first thought. At about six o'clock while I was sitting on our deck in brilliant sunshine with a glass of wine and some cheese and crackers, I thought "poor buggers will only be three hours into it!" Andy usually finishes about 8am-9am Sunday morning if the weather is okay, so even he's got another 15 hours or so to go.

[elle-f]

The weather here in the wairarapa is a bit windy and a little rainy - but not too bad. Hope that's all the weather is doing for them. Sounds like great fun

[Hitcher]

They'll be almost at Napier now...

[Highlander]

Should be all over by now. Looking forward to the ride report threads.

[Beemer]

I think Andy enjoyed having a change of bike and he certainly didn't look as tired as he usually does when he got home. He was very pleased they didn't cop the weather that was forecast, although they did have some rain.

[Hitcher]

[Drums fingers on desk, impatiently waiting for somebody (anybody) to post a ride report...]

[Beemer]

Andy says 30 of the riders pulled out this year, which is quite a few. Looks like the back roads put the wind up them!

[Hitcher]

Andy says 30 of the riders pulled out this year, which is quite a few. Looks like the back roads put the wind up them!

30? Seriously? This year's route appeared to have only a couple of "harder" stages in it. Were they all first-timers?

[ntst8]

Well been there, done that, got the badge, whats next? - or - YEEHAA i survived and got the badge to prove it. :2thumbsup
Only one low point - being passed by a bloody GN 250 on SH4, i was just pootling at 100kph, and one of us slowed for the roadworks - but oh the shame :weep:

[Beemer]

Yes, 30 was a lot, and no (not going to give names), not all were first timers. Not sure what put them off, the route or the weather, but a few were down to crashes (apparently the first was just seven kms into the ride so I think being passed by a GN250 isn't quite as shameful!) and mechanical problems as usual. I certainly don't think it was the nicest of routes!

Hitcher, Andy wants to know if you were sitting at your desk on Saturday, wearing your full bike gear (but with fingerless gloves so you could still type) and salivating at the thought of where the riders were going?

[banditrider]

A real doosey this year. Great route (pretty demanding in places) with some crap weather in places. Will do a write-up at some stage. Some very crappy pictures here: http://picasaweb.google.com/andrew.l.thomson/2008GrandChallenge#

[Hitcher]

Hitcher, Andy wants to know if you were sitting at your desk on Saturday, wearing your full bike gear (but with fingerless gloves so you could still type) and salivating at the thought of where the riders were going?

Have you been talking with Mrs H?

[Forest]

[Drums fingers on desk, impatiently waiting for somebody (anybody) to post a ride report...]

I got back to Auckland around 10am this morning.

The ride report is simple: It was bloody marvelous.

Well done to all the Rustys and to the checkpoint volunteers for putting on another fantastic Grand Challenge weekend. This was my fifth GC and they really just get better and better.

The route was a bit more complex this year though it didn't seem to slow the faster riders. The instructions were pretty straightforward but there was a lot of detail and you had to keep a close eye on things. I think I'll go shopping for a decent bike GPS before next year's GC. Apparently a couple of riders got severely lost this year but hopefully they'll come into this thread and spill all the details.

There was a pretty serious bin within the first 50km. A guy on a [edited] crashed on a hilltop heading towards Taumaranui. Poor bastard was wearing an open faced helmet and smashed up his jaw pretty badly. Sobering way to start the rally - it must have been horrible to wait for the ambulance to come up from Taumaranui. After seeing this accident I took a bit more care than usual in the back-country sections.

I've seen a bit of NZ but the Ramaroa Rd (turn-off just 2.5 km north of Mapiu on SH4) was incredible. You drop down into the head of a stunningly beautiful valley and ride out through Aria before going up past the coast to rejoin SH31. I'll definitely be going back to explore the roads in that area.

The weather was generally pretty good for the entire rally. It really pissed down between Taupo and Napier, but the only other rain I saw was a few scattered showers here and there (not worth getting out the rain-suit). There were a lot of wet roads but I guess that's why they call it a challenge!

It was cold however - my bike said it was only 2.5 degrees when I crossed over the Desert Rd. I understand a large number of riders dropped out this year because of the cold. I wore my nylon rainsuit all night to keep out the cold and made good use of the heated grips and heated seat on my bike. Fortunately I had a fairing to hide behind. I expect that it would have been diabolical on a naked bike.

Almost ran out of fuel near Kawhia, but remembered there was a small servo on the road into the township. So took a small detour and filled up. The servo owner was a real arsehole. Wouldn't let me fill up until I gave him the bike keys. When I asked about it he said "Bikes are the worst. They fill up in a group, come in and look around, then piss off without paying". I don't know what the correct response to this is but I now know that it isn't "Oh well. Lucky for you that bikes have smaller tanks than cars". The owner nearly had a fit when I said that but as I'd fueled up and paid I wasn't too worried.

Daylight was fading by the time I got to the Te Kawa crossroads so I decided to open the taps one last time on one of the straights. There was a series of invisible washouts in the road which I hit at fairly high speed. Got bounced around pretty badly (both wheels off the ground) but managed to stay on and learned an important lesson about country roads. Was happy to get in to the first checkpoint.

The road through to Whakamaru was closed for roadworks. So there was a 7km detour along a gravel backroad. I got through ok but another rider must have crashed as there was an impressive looking oil stain in the middle of one corner and oily footprints leading away from it.

The first 900km (through to Masterton) was mentally draining. Especially for the grandmas like me who didn't get into the wairarapa until it was already dark. Thought up some choice insults for the rally organisers but then realised that other folks were riding the same roads on their Goldwings i.e. I had it easy in comparison! Watching the odo hit 804.5 km at exactly 12 hours into the rally gave me a small shock. The second half of the rally was on open roads so made up the time deficit easily. Missed a turn-off near the end of the section and ended up going through Eketahuna rather than Alfredton & Te Ora Ora but the mistake only added 10km to the run.

The Shell service station in Masterton was a complete farce. The checkpoint volunteers did the best they could but the old guy running the station refused to open up the shop or open up the toilets - despite the Rustys having made arrangements in advance. I watched one guy go up to the night pay slot and ask "Can you do any hot drinks?". The miserable old bastard pointed at the night pay tray and replied "What do you bloody think!". I understand an official letter of complaint will be sent to the Shell head office and I sincerely hope somebody gets their arse kicked.

As an aside Route 52 was pretty slippery and the lane markers were a bit erratic. Around 2am I came across an ambulance loading a rider on a steep downhill corner. There were a bunch of volunteer firemen there with a ute so I helped to pull out the bike out of the wire fence and get it onto the truck. Again it gave me something to think about and I concentrated on getting out of the section in one piece. I wouldn't want to go back there at night but sometime this summer I'll definitely check out Route 52 during the daylight.

State highway 54 was excellent (as usual). Didn't know my way through Palmy so followed two other riders. Unfortunately they didn't know the way either but at least they had a map. Was following a farmer in a ute leading up to Vinegar Hill. I was going as fast as I could on a wet road, but he knew the road and was tearing through the corners. Even did a couple of four wheel power slides through the corners like a rally driver. Sure am glad that I wasn't one of the dogs on the back tray!

Got onto the Desert Road around 7am and figured it would be safe to have a bit of a speed. I was sure that the local cops would be tucked into bed at 7am on a cold and wet Sunday morning. Turns out the "Any Place - Any Time" campaign is pretty much true. Was hammering along at [edited] when I pulled up to a sedan doing 130km/h. Was going to overtake but saw an oncoming car down the road and stayed behind. Lucky that I did as the oncoming vehicle was a full-dress highway patrol vehicle. The cop flashed his lights and did a U-turn behind us. I remember thinking "Shit! This will not end well". Fortunately the sedan I was following pulled over to wait for the cop ... so I kept on riding and didn't look back :whistle:

Almost ran out of fuel coming into Rotorua. I have learned not to trust the fuel range counter on the R1200RT I borrowed for the rally (it's a nice idea but it needs a bit of refinement). The counter said I had 112km in range leaving Taupo but 72km later it reckoned I had 4km left in the tank. I kept to legal speeds on that road so don't know who pinched my missing 40km.

Te Kuiti was good. Will be a good year for the farmers as the grass on the hills was almost psychedelically green. Filled up with a Shearer's Breakfast at Tiffany's Cafe and, as instructed by the sign in the urinal, I took care to "Blush after Use".

Road down to National Park was good. Steam coming off the road was a nice touch - very atmospheric. Even got a tiny bit of sleet/hail at the National Park village but it was gone by the time I got to the Rangipo crossroad. The sun was shining, the road was dry, a fantastic way to end the rally.

Good to get back to Turangi. Got beaten back by the GN250 rider (and he had to stop for two hours after his battery died). Not long after I got back a very sick sounding Bandit 1200 pulled up - the rider had accidentally put half a tank of Diesel into it at the last fuel stop. But to his credit he did ride it back to Turangi and that's all that really counts.

Unfortunately I feel asleep before the real fun started later in the evening. I guess that's the one challenge that I'll need to work on for next year.

[Beemer]

Good to get back to Turangi. Got beaten back by the GN250 rider (and he had to stop for two hours after his battery died).

I understand he lost all his electrics and then took a shortcut to get back to the finish, so I don't think he actually completed the event.

Farmers are pretty bizarre to follow as they make full use of the road and I'd much rather follow one than meet one!

I couldn't believe it when Andy told me about that prick in the Shell 'service' station in Masterton. I understand the Gull a short distance away got all the business that night. Mind you, after seeing the type of customer who was turning up to buy overpriced grocery items and snacks in the middle of the night, he said he was not that surprised.

I wonder how many takers there will be for the 10,000 kms in 10 days event in 2010? Big expense, that's for sure!

[banditrider]

Talked to the guy on the diesel Bandit this morning. He reckoned she was smoking a bit but once all the diesel was drained from the carbies, tanks etc and he put some decent fuel in all was good...

[Mystic13]

What a great ride. This was my first time out so I had no idea of how it all worked. I managed to make it back at 11.15 am on Sunday after having a pretty good run.

A few guys commented on getting lost in the first stage. I was 35th off and passed about 10 bikes on the way to checkpoint 1 but was the 7th bike checking in. I realised then that a few riders had left the challenge and were exploring the countryside instead. A bit of a bugger when that happens. I have to admit I expected one road changing it's name looking at the map but you actually had to make a right hand turn. I almost missed that and joined them.

The light was going down when I hit Taupo almost on empty. My normal 340km range was much lower. The run down the Napier Taupo was a breeze. We turned right into Glengarry Road which was meant to be 116km's down the road. I started looking for it 10k's early and found it at 110km's. the bike in front of me in the distance missed it. We zig zagged through the back and then the State highway that went to Tikokino, then over to Waipukurau.

Route 52 and Porongahau Road was a killer. I thought the thing would never end. I also thought I was lost. I realised I needed to fill more often because running out on the back roads out here especially if it,s the wrong road would have meant a sleep till morning or a walk in the dark. For both of these sections I was solo, no one in front and no one behind so I had no idea for what seemed like 30km's of winding road whether I was going places or not. It rained for the most / whole of route 52. I don't know about goat tracks but there was a cow as black as the night strategically located on the exit of a corner. The cow stood as I came through. Later I learnt he stood for the riders before me. Poor cow, would have been woken from it's sleep and standing all night.

At Masterton there were a lot of young revellers on the street just across the road from the Shell and a couple of them jumped out onto the road as we came through. The Shell may have chosen to be closed for that as well.

The Desert Road was 1 degree when I came through and it was sleeting, but not quite snowing. Other than that the rest of the ride was pretty straightforward.

I did get lost in Palmerston North. I asked a local for directions and he said "follow me I'll take you there" so he hops in his car and we shoot across town then he stops and hops out to point me on my way. He said " Sorry mate I just realised I've come to the wrong side of town we need to go back again". So we did and I finally saw two sets of lights wizz past the end of the road and I was off after them. I stayed with them till Taihape where I gas'd.

I'll be back next year. Hopefully a little wiser and much better prepared. And next year I'll bring shorts and go across to the Tokaanu Thermal Pools and just soak for a couple of hours.

The things I learnt are;

- when following riders read the signs, it's the funniest site watching a string of bikes all stop and you turn (especially when you're me at the back watching all the red brake lights come on then turn in order - thank goodness the lead rider realised in less than 1km). I heard stories of 30km and more.
- rain-off gloves are essential for warm hands and they're made right here.
- the pin lock I installed after drilling my visor the night before was a great investment.
- never trust your friends who have read the map.
- never trust a local that has been out revelling till 4am in the morning. it would have been quicker to pullout the mapbook. And I was right near the right road when he took me across town. Nice guy though.

Thems me thoughts so far. Had a 2 hour snooze and then rode back to Auckland. Unpacked just after midnight, hot bath food and bed.

[Hitcher]

My spies neglected to mention the Ramaroa Road bit, although that does explain why Piopio is on the list of attractions. We did that two years ago en route to New Plymouth. It's certainly a stunning ride, particularly that first bit off SH4.

Three years ago we had a few issues with the servo at Wairoa, along the lines of Shell in Masterton. To be fair though, the Wairoa stop wasn't a checkpoint, but a pretty essential stop for many trucking through from Turangi to Gisborne in the middle of the night.

[Beemer]

never trust a local that has been out revelling till 4am in the morning. it would have been quicker to pullout the mapbook. And I was right near the right road when he took me across town. Nice guy though.

He was probably a bloody student and you can NEVER trust them!

[Forest]

I understand he lost all his electrics and then took a shortcut to get back to the finish, so I don't think he actually completed the event.


I'm pretty sure he made it round the entire route.

He said he filled up ten times - which sounds about right for a GN250.

[Hitcher]

I think we did about 10 fills with Mrs H's last GC on a Marauder. Her Bandit with its 20 litre tank makes events like this so much more pleasurable.

[KoroJ]

Report/Blog here: http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/blogs/viewblog.php?userid=9500&entry=523

I managed to take a few photos and will get them up sometime.

[Taz]

Was another great GC. Came in 6th at 10:57am. Was almost as easy as last years.

[Hitcher]

I hate to ask, but how long did it take Slippery Ian to complete?

[DougieNZ]

Yes interesting stuff. I have read a couple of interesting reports. Once again one mentioned a small number of bikes on an interesting road.

Last year I remembers seeing 3 bikes heading south on SH1 in the middle of the night when the route told them to go north and take SH10 afte the Kaitaia checkpoint.

A "genuine mistake"? Going south instead of north from Kaitaia?

I have my doubts.

I reckon there are a (very) few each year that don't follow the route (but still check in at all the checkpoints), and then "burn off" the k's on straighter roads so that their Odometer is still right on arrival. Then perhaps get back to Turangi and boast about their extra fast time...

As I said last year.... "You are only cheating yourselves!"

As far as I am concerned, if you don't exactly travel all of the route, then you shouldn't pick up your badge...

Comments?

[Blackbird]

A "genuine mistake"?
Comments?

We found the same thing when a previous route called for a back road night ride from Pirongia though Tuakau to the checkoint at the Bombay service station. There was a bunch of people at Bombay who didn't pass us on the back road yet were already gassing up at Bombay when we arrived. Must have gone straight up SH1. Speedo error and getting lost doesn't necessarily mean that deviations from the planned route are necessarily picked up when Lee's people take the final speedo readings.

I wasn't annoyed but like you, was a bit sad that some felt the need to literally cut corners. After all, the whole purpose of the GC is about personally challenging yourself both mentally and physically and no matter how many times you do it, finishing is never a certainty. Electing to withdraw from the ride for whatever reason IMHO takes a world more courage and these riders have my deepest respect.

[DougieNZ]

Electing to withdraw from the ride for whatever reason IMHO takes a world more courage and these riders have my deepest respect.


Totally AGREE!! Well done to ALL the riders that called it a night. A good call!

[Taz]

Yes interesting stuff. I have read a couple of interesting reports. Once again one mentioned a small number of bikes on an interesting road.

Last year I remembers seeing 3 bikes heading south on SH1 in the middle of the night when the route told them to go north and take SH10 afte the Kaitaia checkpoint.

A "genuine mistake"? Going south instead of north from Kaitaia?

I have my doubts.

I reckon there are a (very) few each year that don't follow the route (but still check in at all the checkpoints), and then "burn off" the k's on straighter roads so that their Odometer is still right on arrival. Then perhaps get back to Turangi and boast about their extra fast time...

As I said last year.... "You are only cheating yourselves!"

As far as I am concerned, if you don't exactly travel all of the route, then you shouldn't pick up your badge...

Comments?

Yes when we popped out from SH10 last year there were at least 10 motorcycles coming down SH1. And when we turned onto SH16 from wellsford a few went down SH1 from there. Doesn't bother me as I know I did the entire route and finished with a respectable genuine time along with two mates.

[Mystic13]

I'm with Anthrax, I did the whole route as it was my first time and was surprised to find bikes in front of me that hadn't passed me. They mentioned they bypass the tricky bits and a few of them do it.

So I guess the night before when we plan the route they plan the easiest route to get the right km's more or less and just make up any loss. This means they have time to stop for a coffee and a good rest on the run and then get in early.

I thought about it over the next 1000km's and decided that I'd rather do the route and if they want to just do the check points only then that's their call. I passed a fair few bikes as far North as Paihiatua heading South to Masterton while I was heading North. They could have been bikes that had gone into Porongahau and taken a wrong turn and ended up out on SH1 and decided not to go back in and find the turn and road they lost. Then again you have riders who do go back and then decide to bail because they won't make it in time.

I'm not sure how you change this and I guess it's up to the club if they have an issue. I guess you could say to riders we have placed between 1 and 5 extra secret checkpoints and you need to have those clicked as well. That way if it's even only one then guys won't know if they have them all or not without going down all the roads or checking in with riders that stop at checkpoints. I'm still not bothered by it because to be bothered would change my experience and I'd rather just enjoy myself.

I'll be back, I loved the event so much. I was 10th in, around 11.15am. Anthrax, I remember following you when you passed me on the Napier Taupo winding bit. Gee you were damned fast leaned over in the wet. I couldn't stay with you. I'm assuming you were the guy on the beemer with the friends on the tiger and vfr. I was on the F800 with the blue glow (and apparently bright brake lights). I also followed you at the beginning of the bit South of Waipukurau until my left leg cramped and I had to ride with my leg forward, motorcross style for a few km's.

Does anyone know how to stop the cramps by the way. It happened in my left leg three times. Each time at the beginning of winding sections.

[Hitcher]

As far as I am concerned, if you don't exactly travel all of the route, then you shouldn't pick up your badge...

Comments?

It's all about you versus the Rusty's route. The Rusty's can't be everywhere and they're limited about what and how much they should be expected to enforce to ensure compliance. Other riders shouldn't have to dob in any "non-conformers".

It's not a race. There are no prizes. Anybody who "cheats" knows that they have, and it's their face that they have to examine in the mirror each morning.

[Mystic13]

Yes interesting stuff. I have read a couple of interesting reports. Once again one mentioned a small number of bikes on an interesting road.

Last year I remembers seeing 3 bikes heading south on SH1 in the middle of the night when the route told them to go north and take SH10 afte the Kaitaia checkpoint.

A "genuine mistake"? Going south instead of north from Kaitaia?

I have my doubts.

I reckon there are a (very) few each year that don't follow the route (but still check in at all the checkpoints), and then "burn off" the k's on straighter roads so that their Odometer is still right on arrival. Then perhaps get back to Turangi and boast about their extra fast time...

As I said last year.... "You are only cheating yourselves!"

As far as I am concerned, if you don't exactly travel all of the route, then you shouldn't pick up your badge...

Comments?


I agree if you don't do the route you shouldn't get the badge but I have no idea how you stop that. I guess the only concern if more riders start to do it thinking, bugger this, why should I ride all the back roads when others don't.

The event is incredibly well organised though and I have to say I'm pretty impressed with what Lee and his team have put together.

What an amazing event.

[Lee Rusty]

A fantastic effort - guts and inovation to get you home - next time he will take 100mph tape to tape the torch to the headlight - it was to hard to ride holding torch in his hand and trying to light the way

gotta give the man credit for his determination. Well done



I'm pretty sure he made it round the entire route.

He said he filled up ten times - which sounds about right for a GN250.

[Lee Rusty]

if you are getting cramp - go vist your chemist and get some quinine pills that will stop it

lR

[Lee Rusty]

It's all about you versus the Rusty's route. The Rusty's can't be everywhere and they're limited about what and how much they should be expected to enforce to ensure compliance. Other riders shouldn't have to dob in any "non-conformers".

It's not a race. There are no prizes. Anybody who "cheats" knows that they have, and it's their face that they have to examine in the mirror each morning.

short of having transponders on the route and sensors on all the bikes to record their passing very little we can do.

We dont have to look at them in the mirror.

And when all said and done they do complete 1000 miles as well. Maybe a little easier, but if you allow for people covering extra when lost etc you could never "even it out" so it comes down to trust.

Those who follow the route and do it all the hard way know who they are and they know that they have our utmost respect.

[insomnia01]

I reckon that Lee is going soft! The Te Anga leg will be knocked off in daylight and that would be dire in the dark! He sent us out to Kawhia in the dark and that WAS dire!

As always though, the Grand Challenge is an apt title and best of luck to all!

waipukurau - Porangahau - Masterton section was done in the dark & caught a few people out

Marvellous sight though of a freight train of @ 10-12 bikes weaving our way around them hills... it really looked like a snake made up of lights AWESOME :Punk::done:

[Blackbird]

waipukurau - Porangahau - Masterton section was done in the dark & caught a few people out

Marvellous sight though of a freight train of @ 10-12 bikes weaving our way around them hills... it really looked like a snake made up of lights AWESOME :Punk::done:

Well done Hami:niceone::niceone::niceone::niceone::niceone:

Expect to see your write-up and photos soon:bleh:. How were your wrists and arse??

[banditrider]

My write-up here: http://andrew.l.thomson.googlepages.com/2008grandchallenge

[insomnia01]

Well done Hami:niceone::niceone::niceone::niceone::niceone:

Expect to see your write-up and photos soon:bleh:. How were your wrists and arse??

all good, my hips where killing me by the time i had finished... have spoken to RT & he reckons turn the pre-load down to make it softer, I'm off to wgtn this weekend so have made a couple of adjustments to the rear & will see how it goes otherwise I may need to call on your advise in setting it up properly... other than that it was magic. I bumped into another BB owner who has meet you before, maori bloke called Kim 97'BB you organised his 6mm spacer nice bloke not sure how he got on, but as the night grew so did my pain, but managed to get around it by scretching regularly

[Hitcher]

but managed to get around it by scretching regularly

There are laws against that you know.

[Bass]

have spoken to RT & he reckons turn the pre-load down to make it softer,

Common misconception discussed at length in these columns before. Reducing preload will not make it softer, only closer to the ground.

[Gremlin]

Fortunately I had a fairing to hide behind. I expect that it would have been diabolical on a naked bike.
I always laughed a bit at the st and such like... but now they make a lot of sense. Fairing, huge tank range etc...

Thanks for making me feel like a hard bastard... I saw you regularly, I was the supermoto behind the blackbird


The event is incredibly well organised though and I have to say I'm pretty impressed with what Lee and his team have put together.

What an amazing event.
I have no idea how many gearshifts I did, but not having a huge torque range, I shifted gears a LOT (ie, sometimes a couple every 5 secs) resulted in fantastic cramp in my left leg, but the route (while daunting for a newbie) contained gorgeous roads. Having a supermoto also made it more fun. Straights were boring, but the twisty bits, well, I loved.

Definitely looking to do my 2nd next year... hopefully with a nice seat and bigger tank. The frequency of the stops probably killed us the most, with me not able to match the range of a blackbird.

[bryce]

bryce here [gn 250] i did finish ,the only three parts i did wrong was about 5ks up the gentle anne ,i over shot that turn [they warned us not to],and the wrong way through parmy,i dissconected all the eletrices to keep the motor ranning ,and broke down out of benneydale at 7;06 check in at te kuiti at 11;45.made it back with 10 m to spear.was 6th bike on the road .2nd at waipuk got past by an sv and was 6th bike checked in at masterton .past them bake at taihape,the only cold part was when the over suit i borowed wasn't sealed right an my crutch filled up from the ran on the desert road ,

[Mystic13]

if you are getting cramp - go vist your chemist and get some quinine pills that will stop it

lR


Thanks and how do you cure the sore butt quickly after the event. Next time I'm going straight across to the Tokaanu hot pools.

[Mystic13]

bryce here [gn 250] i did finish ,the only three parts i did wrong was about 5ks up the gentle anne ,i over shot that turn [they warned us not to],and the wrong way through parmy,i dissconected all the eletrices to keep the motor ranning ,and broke down out of benneydale at 7;06 check in at te kuiti at 11;45.made it back with 10 m to spear.was 6th bike on the road .2nd at waipuk got past by an sv and was 6th bike checked in at masterton .past them bake at taihape,the only cold part was when the over suit i borowed wasn't sealed right an my crutch filled up from the ran on the desert road ,

Hey Bryce, they asked me at the National Park checkpoint if I'd seen you and I mentioned seeing you parked up at Bennydale. I assumed you had stopped at home or a friends for a hot meal and drink etc.

I'm very impressed that you did it on that bike. Very, very impressed.

[insomnia01]

Common misconception discussed at length in these columns before. Reducing preload will not make it softer, only closer to the ground.

so are you suggesting that I leave the preload alone & adjust the compression dampner?? I have only started feeling the pain since I had the Ohlins installed & know bugger all about bike set-up's, I'm really just having a play.....

[Bass]

so are you suggesting that I leave the preload alone & adjust the compression dampner?? I have only started feeling the pain since I had the Ohlins installed & know bugger all about bike set-up's, I'm really just having a play.....

Sorry.
It's off topic for this thread so I will send you a PM

[DougieNZ]

short of having transponders on the route and sensors on all the bikes to record their passing very little we can do.

We dont have to look at them in the mirror.

And when all said and done they do complete 1000 miles as well. Maybe a little easier, but if you allow for people covering extra when lost etc you could never "even it out" so it comes down to trust.

Those who follow the route and do it all the hard way know who they are and they know that they have our utmost respect.

Absolutely correct Lee. This is ceretainly not a reflection on the magnificent job that you and the follow rustys do in organising this event. It is very much appreciated by us all. I have done a couple of Rusty events now and have really enjoyed them.

It just pisses me off that some feel they have to cheat the system. But like you say, they have to look at themselves in the mirror at the end of the day.

Congrats on:niceone: what soulds like another typical demanding rusty route (sp?)!!

[DougieNZ]

...........................

[KoroJ]

Here's a few pix. I seem to get a bit pre-occupied on these rides and forget to take many.


My Report/Blog here: http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/blogs/viewblog.php?userid=9500&entry=523



1&2: Scrutineering
3: The ST & 'Busa by the cabins
4: The Map
5&6: Starting to gather on Saturday After lunch

[KoroJ]

1: Gathering for the start
2: The Briefing
3&4: Time Check at Te Anga
5&6: 1st Check Point at Te Kawa

[KoroJ]

1: Checkpoint 5 at Te Kuiti
2: Back at turangi Cabins (taken at 1250)

[warewolf]

I missed it this year, damn shame. Well done to everyone who gave it a go.

A couple of my mates retired this year, one has 8 finishes already, the other has a couple. They got lost early on, had their normally satisfactory rain gear fail so got very cold, and by half-time were seriously behind time - by several hours. They are not quick riders so decided it was best to admit defeat on this one.

As to the "cheats"; don't under-estimate the amount of work required to run this event. Adding any further checks may just be stretching things too far.

I'm quite happy to use all of the available 24 hours to finish; I wonder how many ppl who substitute highways for by-ways get back with oodles of time to spare?

[Beemer]

Andy has noted on occasion that he has passed certain bikes along the route and yet when he's pulled up at the next checkpoint they are ahead of him!

Me, even if the route was all up and down SH1 I'd never make it past the first five or six hours so kudos to all who manage to finish.

[xgnr]

Yes disappointed at the obvious decision by some to avoid the nasty bits.

I was being followed by a group who continued on when I turned off onto some fukin' goat track.

Caught them up later looking sad with hazard lights going... poetic justice maybe.

Was a harder ride than last year. I stuck to the legal speeds (well lets say 110km true) for almost the whole ride and was barely 1/2 an hour ahead of the required run rate until much later when I could get some decent catchup done. Arrived in at 22.5hrs which was about a 1.5 hrs slower than last year.

Key thing is that you dont need to go like a mad bugger to complete this event. Getting lost, crashing or breaking down will stuff you so take your time and keep going.

Funny just how much time was spent riding solo yet a pile of bikes seemed to arrive almost at the same time at the checkpoints.

Highlights....

Hitting a possum at 100k on the Napier Taupo road with my boot. Felt like i broke my bloody toe. Rider behind me must have laughed.

Getting lost and coming out at a large roundabout then almost binning it on the large white "give way" triangle.

Doing the track close to Palmerston North (8k or so) and wondering if I was lost. Was sure that I was going to drop it in the deep shingle as it seemed very slippery stuff.
Maybe I was just getting very tired. Heart in mouth stuff as I thought that if I went down that would be it as picking the fat old bitch up would not be easy.

Finishing :niceone:

Having a few beers after the event

Looking forward to next year

Stu

[DougieNZ]

As to the "cheats"; don't under-estimate the amount of work required to run this event. Adding any further checks may just be stretching things too far.




Definitely not advocating that. All I am saying to the cheats is "shame on you". Nothing can be done by the organisers to prevent this happening. I just think that it is a shame that it does!

[Forest]

Key thing is that you dont need to go like a mad bugger to complete this event. Getting lost, crashing or breaking down will stuff you so take your time and keep going.


That's absolutely true. Speed isn't required to complete the event.

I stopped for two decent sit-down meals this year (dinner in Taupo, late breakfast in Te Kuiti) and still got back with well over an hour to spare.

[Gremlin]

That's absolutely true. Speed isn't required to complete the event.

I stopped for two decent sit-down meals this year (dinner in Taupo, late breakfast in Te Kuiti) and still got back with well over an hour to spare.
Good grief!

Granted, the number of stops killed us a bit (around 10 from memory), but we weren't moving slow, and stops were kept reasonably short. Only had 45 minutes spare at the end...

maybe you cheated :shifty:

[Forest]

Good grief!

Granted, the number of stops killed us a bit (around 10 from memory), but we weren't moving slow, and stops were kept reasonably short. Only had 45 minutes spare at the end...

maybe you cheated :shifty:

That's one of the nice things about the R1200RT. It has a 27 litre fuel tank which gives a usable range of about 500km. :lol:

I stopped for gas four times and never even touched the 4 litre reserve.

[Gremlin]

...gives a usable range of about 500km. :lol:
I'd give a left nut for a range of 500km... thats about double what I can get.

Longest trip was 230km, shortest was 107km. Here's hoping for a larger tank becoming available, and a nice seat that can be described as comfy

[Taz]

I'd give a left nut for a range of 500km... thats about double what I can get.

Longest trip was 230km, shortest was 107km. Here's hoping for a larger tank becoming available, and a nice seat that can be described as comfy

Strap a can on the back.

[Gremlin]

Strap a can on the back.
Top box already there for carrying stuff... and the back seat was used to transport sleeping bag etc. Besides... good excuse to buy something :yes:

[bryce]

i just keeped up a good avege speed,cary corner speed ,keeped my stops short,rode fill throtle,110km and on big hills keeped it below 120 to avod heat sezing,made a plan an keeped to it,work out when i needed to check in by ,and road my on pace,i had 10 fuel stops,1at the time check 3-4 piss stops dropped stuff at home stopped to put on weets 1 to find a torch 1to change the batterys 1 to disconect the battery 1 to charge the battery (2 hr ) and check 5 ,i think i might have to cut down on my stopps next year,

[Mystic13]

i just keeped up a good avege speed,cary corner speed ,keeped my stops short,rode fill throtle,110km and on big hills keeped it below 120 to avod heat sezing,made a plan an keeped to it,work out when i needed to check in by ,and road my on pace,i had 10 fuel stops,1at the time check 3-4 piss stops dropped stuff at home stopped to put on weets 1 to find a torch 1to change the batterys 1 to disconect the battery 1 to charge the battery (2 hr ) and check 5 ,i think i might have to cut down on my stopps next year,

So how is the GN250? 10 fuel stops, whoa! I had 6. My first was at Piopio thinking I could make Taupo. I had a moment of not being sure where I was and after looking at my notes for a few minutes and not making any sense of them, two bikes shot past and I followed them to Taupo and just made it before running out of gas. I realised as a first timer my fuel strategy had taken into account me riding a bit quicker but hadn't allowed for me getting lost.

I decided to factor that in for the remainder of the trip. There are so many things I plan to differently next year but one of them won't be riding around the course on a small bike.

Do you plan to do another GC and what plans do you have for topping the GN250. I noticed some riders mentioned they rode at 110-120km per hour (on their bigger bikes) but riding a bike that is limited to that speed removes all room for errors and I guess you'd have to factor in overworking the motor. I rode a GPX250 from New Plymouth To Auckland a couple of months back and besides the suspension bottoming out I had forgotten how hard it is to pass a car or truck when you have a limited top speed. I can't imagine me ever trying the course on a 4 stroke 250.

Cheers

[Taz]

My overall average speed was 82km/h for a time of 19.62 hours while the moving average was 95.6kmh so a high top speed is not essential but it surely does help.

[bryce]

I didn,t no the waitomo area so maked route sheets out off card board
R samething rd
L thingy rd (gas)
t check
then through it away started the next one ,i made three to get me to taupo.I needed gas between waipuk and masterton so filled it at the start to save time and if i got lost around waitomo,i got lucky with trafic only held up 3-4 times on the ride but had trouble all the way home ,with only 2 hp used 1 to move the bike 1 to move me ,nun to spinn the wheel on the gravel around waitomo ,made up about an hr ,in case i needed it on napier-taupo,

no plans for next year ,moose would like to try a posty bike(ct 90-110) don,t own one thank god ,would like to do it in under 20 on the gn ,i,ll have to see if james will be keen

went to parmy on gn wed night got half way back and died,still got problem, lucky still had tourch.

[KoroJ]

We usually get several Ride Reports to enjoy after a GC........What happened to them all this year?

There was one posted on the Rusty Site today, but we need more to let Hitcher and DougieNZ know what they missed out on!

[ntst8]

KoroJ, I wrote this for a non NZ forum, ramblings of a first timer.

I finally plucked up the courage to enter this year and set myself a target of average speed on the road of 80 kph (50mph) and average speed including stops of 70 kph – which would get me home in around 23 hours. Doesn’t sound much on paper but allowing to travel near our 100 kph speed limit and for slow speeds through towns, road works, tight back roads plus down time for fuel, food, running repairs etc that sounded reasonable.
Have a seat bag with a water bottle, muesli bars and small packs of raisins/dried apricots the idea being to refuel and have a quick snack and sip and every stop – keep the energy up and stop time down. Also have Rusty route instructions taped in plastic bag on tank and a Garmin etrex on loan from a mate, route programmed in by me mostly correctly. I have to ignore it a few times though.
The ride, 104 entered this year, nice weather for the off.
Stage 1 Turangi to Te Anga time check – easy riding on open state highways, with a few tight bends to start with but nicely flowing after that. Keep on thinking keep it sensible, it’s not a race, relax so you don’t get tired and ride quietly so you do make it home. And then the turn off to Aria is onto narrow winding rural roads in steep hill country, great Sunday riding area for us locals but a bit frustrating when stuck behind a dozen less familiar with the roads. Relax and go with the flow. Still in heavy GC traffic entering the single file queue at the time check.
Stage 2 Te Anga to Te Kawa, total 300km – more of our Sunday riding roads, tightish but can make a reasonable pace, after the time check down to a group of 5 or 6 who don’t believe me and all take a wrong turn down a 10km dead end. It turns out to be much easier riding solo and I largely keep it that way for the rest of the ride. A short out and back detour for fuel at start of Kawhia Road, have snack and drink there, a few others there also.
Stage 3 Te Kawa to Waipukurau, total 646 km – quick splash of fuel at check point just in case, card clipped and away pronto. A landslip on Waipapa Road means a detour including a few km’s of gravel just as it gets dark, well it is a challenge after all. Then good run to Taupo, fuel and snack and put on extra shirt and polyprop under gloves. Now on to Taupo - Napier road, initially straight and boring, but turns to a series of sweepers later in the run. Need to find a side road in the middle of nowhere in the dark, find it ok but make a bit of a hash of navigating the next bit, travel all the right roads plus a km or two of optional extras. Run to Waipuk uneventful once back on main roads.
Stage 4 Waipukurau to Masterton, total 842km – route 52 is 200km of largely unrelenting tight twisting roads, glorious on a good day, a slippery never-ending hell on a cold wet night. About half way through I hit the wall, trouble staying awake and focused so riding really slow, why am I doing this, whose dumb idea was it, if I wasn’t in the back of beyond I could well have pulled out here. Stayed upright and got to the checkpoint. Average rate so far under 64 kph!! Yikes, but the tight stuff now all gone, will make much better time from here so still hope.
Stage 5 Masterton to Rotorua, total 1273km – card clipped, refuel, snack and a drink, and then despite slow progress to date decide to take a bit of time, have some service station hot food and a lot of walking around jumping on the spot etc to get the system ticking over and warm up – good move in hindsight, I started to get a second wind. Now a long run, straight roads up to Pahiatua, over the nice windy Pahiatua Track, refuel in Palmerston Nth, again some nice roads to Vinegar Hill, from then mostly straight and open and well policed but the memory of this leg is the bone chilling cold. I’ve since read between 1 and 3 degrees (around 33 to 35F) and despite layers of thermal gear my hands couldn’t feel the heated grips and I was COLD through, thoughts of hypothermia as a big shiver went through me every 10 minutes or so – resorted to tucking my left arm under my body and riding with my chin just above the screen to try to avoid the wind chill. Refuel at Waiouru, chat to the attendant for 10 mins – its warm inside. Buoyed on by seeing the sun start to rise – its got to get warmer soon. After Taupo and it begins to warm. To keep alert I resort to singing and talking out loud, only to be followed by a panic attack at the next stop when I find my helmet blue tooth gear has somehow turned on and paired to my mobile phone which has a voice dial function – god forbid that anyone should be subjected to that as a voicemail, and even worse if they knew who it was! Thankfully no calls made, the panic heart rate helped the body temp though, and starting to look promising for finishing on time.
Stage 5 Rotorua to Te Kuiti, total 1427km– Again a short stop, feeling good now, a way to go but the end is in sight, and its daylight. The riding is ok up to Whakamaru but the Benneydale road is always a corker. Get wet and cold again before Benneydale then from there to TK sunny, warm and dry, best bit of riding of the run, have a quiet fang on one of my favourite roads - just to warm up of course. Another checkpoint, fuel and snack and on the way again, barring the unthinkable I’m going to make it, feeling good.
Stage 6 Te Kuiti to National Park, total 1554km– nice and warm and sunny in TK, removed the neck warmer and thermal glove liners for the last 2 runs and look forward to more nice flowing main roads, can sit on 100kph through continuous bends marked for 65 to 75kph and enjoy the ride. Only low point was to be the GC entrant on a GN250 who passed me in road works and kept it nailed, as I was keeping it legal he quietly edged away. If my memory isn't plating tricks I had seen the rider enter the Rotorua check point riding with both hands off the bars searching in a bag, and then back on the bars just in time to stop at the petrol pumps. I gather he wasn’t a learner.
Stage 7 National Park to Turangi, yep 1609km– nearly there and would you believe it cold and wet again, removing those warm clothes earlier was a mistake but nearly home, a short downpour and then back to warm sunshine at home base. Water dripping out of my jacket as I check in at around 22 1/2 hours, woohoo, Rusty at the check in “your badge and certificate, how do you feel” – I mumbled something unintelligent but feeling quietly elated and more so when I see that 29 had withdrawn during the event, a couple of off’s resulting in hospital visits (nothing too serious I believe), a few mechanical failures but mostly either running behind time or didn’t feel safe to continue – in which case pulling out is the sensible thing.

It must be addictive this riding thing, after a couple of hours, including a cooked lunch and stubbie of beer included in the entry fee I felt alive enough to tackle the 2 1/2 hour ride home and was there in time for dinner.
Only really frightening moment was when I finally told my wife just what this motorcycle weekend was all about – “1000 miles, so when did you sleep?” “WHAT - do you know how dangerous that is?” Apparently I won’t be doing it next year - probably.

[xgnr]

Good write up thanks, brings the ...errr trip back.

Only the truly hard ones sit around drinking beer/rum/juice and talking shit afterward. Sleepin's cheatin' (lol)

Seriously tho' well done. It is addictive and I will be back for No. 3

So we can register for '09 I believe? See you there

Stu

[KoroJ]

KoroJ, I wrote this for a non NZ forum, ramblings of a first timer.

Thanks for that....Another saga enjoyed.


I found the Rusty Trumpet most interesting re comments on how tough the first section was. (ie too many corners). I enjoyed the ride right through to Masterton immensely......then paid the price because I had enjoyed it at a nice rate of knots.

Also JD's report was most impressive ( http://www.rustynuts.co.nz/default.aspx?PageID=422 ), that he was in Masterton after 0500 but he wouldn't give up when others were deciding they were too far behind time. His persistance paid off because he ended up finishing inside the time anyway.

I guess that goes for Bryce too. A huge well done there.......and thank God he did break down. I think I'd be in the same boat as the 'Cheaters' (not happy to face myself in the mirror) if a GN250 had beaten the ST1300 home on a ride that the ST is built for. Awesome effort there matey!!

I love this ride and I love reading these sagas that show the spirit and tenacity that may be required to finish. To see that the Kiwi Can-Do Spirit and No.8 Wire mentality is still very much alive.


Next Saga please??