Grand Challenge excitement builds

**Hitcher** · 14th September 2004, 16:57

We got our "tee time" from Rusty Nuts today for the Grand Challenge -- 3:48pm Saturday. Sounds most interesting. Mandatory briefing at 2:30pm

For a newbie, does this mean that small bunches of riders are let go in dribs and drabs?

Also does anybody have any inside information on what this year's route looks like?

Also any useful tips and event tactics (like recommendations for frequency and duration of stops, etc) would also be appreciated.

Roll on October!

**Marknz** · 14th September 2004, 17:02

This all sounds very interesting... have I missed something? Is there a link to this Challenge somewhere?

**White trash** · 14th September 2004, 17:02

Ever read "The tortise and the hare"?

Forget it. Absolute friggin' bollocks!

My advise, go like the clappers. Everywhere.

**Holy Roller** · 14th September 2004, 17:15

Originally Posted by Marknz

This all sounds very interesting... have I missed something? Is there a link to this Challenge somewhere?

http://www.rustynuts.co.nz/default.aspx?PageID=41
Here is the link for the entry form

**Kickaha** · 14th September 2004, 17:59

Originally Posted by Hitcher

We got our "tee time" from Rusty Nuts today for the Grand Challenge -- 3:48pm Saturday. Sounds most interesting. Mandatory briefing at 2:30pm

For a newbie, does this mean that small bunches of riders are let go in dribs and drabs?

Also does anybody have any inside information on what this year's route looks like?

Also any useful tips and event tactics (like recommendations for frequency and duration of stops, etc) would also be appreciated.

Roll on October!

You go off in small groups normally no more than 5-6 bikes a few minutes apart,most people have mates they're riding with.

The route will be given to you the night before you leave or that morning

If you're like me the only time you stop for a break will be when you stop for gas and staying around the 120km mark meant both times I did it it took around 19.5 hours,but I had a small fuel range so had to stop about 8-9 times all up

Make sure you carry something to clean your visor with as a big chunk of it is night riding

**mccool** · 14th September 2004, 18:12

I've never done it but I remember a piece of geeky advice I saw in an English magazine - Don't drink coffee at petrol stations coz you never know how strong or weak it is. Drink caffeineated energy drinks - they have a standard dose of caffeine. Wow.

**Jackrat** · 14th September 2004, 18:58

Normaly the bikes are let go at five minite gaps in two's, you can team up with a few mates if you like but two is the standard.
Your bike will be scrutinered and if not up to our standard you don't go.
The standard is that it must be able to pass a WOF after the event.
There is no lee way on this.Your chain is not part of a standard WOF check,with us it is.If you ride a Yamaha check your wheel and steering head bearing,it's their most common fault.
You can do the ride a an average of 90kms and it's not a race anyway.
Drink coffee in preference to sport drinks,the sport drinks dehydrate you badly over that long a period of time.Save the sports drinks for the final leg of the ride.
The ride is fairly eazy this year. :sly:
See you there.

**Marknz** · 14th September 2004, 19:37

No wthat's some serious bloody riding. I love some of the stories on the website about some of the folk that have completed it in the past. Maybe next year for me.

**Blackbird** · 14th September 2004, 20:19

Take it steady for the first hour to "dial in", you'll soon start passing people. Try relaxation exercises like rolling your wrists when off the throttle, move your neck about and take your feet off the pegs to straighten your legs now and then. Stand up on the pegs to keep the circulation going in your bum and fit a sheepskin if you haven't got one.

Minimise your stops - 10 minutes or so maximum. You feel worse if you take longer.

Last year, I drank plain water and just stuck to dried banana rings, nuts and raisins. I left the one can of V until the last checkpoint. Stay away from sugary stuff and coffee - you'll feel terrible!

I also found that drawing a time distance graph for a 24 schedule is quite useful for checking whether you're on schedule is quite useful for when your brain fogs up in the small hours.

I've attached the report on the last of the 4 rides I did to give you an idea. Our first one was a nightmare in high winds and torrential rain. You can have that too if you want to crap yourself but it does give a newcomer's insight.

Finally, best of luck. The pride in finishing never goes away, no matter how many you do

Geoff

**Blackbird** · 15th September 2004, 07:33

Here's the write-up of our first Grand Challenge 1000 miler. The conditions were terrible and I actually thought that there was a good change of getting seriously hurt. Got through it ok though without too many mental scars and reckon I'm a better rider for it. Doing something that scares you doesn't hurt now and then!

Geoff

**Hitcher** · 15th September 2004, 09:48

Excellent feedback, thanks guys.

On another matter, the letter from the RNMC didn't tell us where to go for: the briefing; the scrutineering (and when this is); and the start. I guess we could always roam around Turangi looking for an agglomeration of bikes and bikers...

**matthewt** · 15th September 2004, 11:02

Originally Posted by Hitcher

Excellent feedback, thanks guys.

On another matter, the letter from the RNMC didn't tell us where to go for: the briefing; the scrutineering (and when this is); and the start. I guess we could always roam around Turangi looking for an agglomeration of bikes and bikers...

Everything is done from the camping grounds at Turangi. If you get there on Friday then get your bike into scrutineering that night to help reduce the rush on Saturday. Also gives you time to get into Taupo if you need anything.

I've attached a map with the yellow line showing where to go as you head into Turangi.

Edit: On the first page of my form it says "Start & Finish is at Turangi Cabins & Holiday Park in Turangi - it is easy to find"

Also the side street to the camping grounds might be the one before I marked, I can't remember. It's easy to see when you are there.

**Hitcher** · 15th September 2004, 11:29

Originally Posted by matthewt

Also the side street to the camping grounds might be the one before I marked, I can't remember. It's easy to see when you are there.

Thanks Matthew. The yellow line sort of merges with the yellow of Turangi, but I get the idea! We plan to ride up on Friday so will take you advice and get the scrutineering done that night.

**matthewt** · 15th September 2004, 14:29

Originally Posted by Hitcher

Thanks Matthew. The yellow line sort of merges with the yellow of Turangi, but I get the idea! We plan to ride up on Friday so will take you advice and get the scrutineering done that night.

Yer I probably should of changed the colour before I snapped it.

Anyway what time on Friday are you leaving ?? I'll looking to head out after lunch.

Have attached a photo of what you'll be doing just after you finish the run.

**Hitcher** · 15th September 2004, 15:52

Originally Posted by matthewt

Anyway what time on Friday are you leaving ?? I'll looking to head out after lunch.

At this stage the plan is to head off late morning/lunchtime-ish. We tend to eat in transit, if that makes sense. You're most welcome to ride up with us, should you wish. We'll probably go via Palmerston North/Vinegar Hill.