Rusty Nuts Grand Challenge 2005

**Warr** · 18th October 2005, 16:59

Originally Posted by justsomeguy

Hey Warr - congrats mate - wow - I've seen you ride and your excellent placing in the GC comes as no surprise.

Thanks there justsomeguy, me thinks you would have faired pretty well yourself.
It's all about pace and short stops.. and passing anything moving on the road, politely of course

Will you be still on a 250 by next years challenge ?

**Warr** · 18th October 2005, 17:02

Originally Posted by Hitcher

One eastern BOP town is as good as another. Particularly when you're lying on your side on a wet road... Opotiki it was.

Darn.. I trust it didnt slow you down too greatly

**RiderInBlack** · 18th October 2005, 18:50

Originally Posted by Zapf

labour weekend? think about how many cages are on the road...

However RIB, I'll be another hand up for your Mini / Baby GC

or even for a whole series of them.

With you on that Zapf, beside anything that soon would have to be organise by someelse ("I'm not superman" a line from the Srubs' theme Song). IF I organise this it will not be for an MONTH or two (could even be next year). I want to organise this properly and will probable open this to all keen riders (and not just KB'ers, although I have them mainly in mind) and there will be a entry fee (because I arn't rich and this is going to cost).

**Groins_NZ** · 18th October 2005, 18:56

Originally Posted by Hitcher

One eastern BOP town is as good as another. Particularly when you're lying on your side on a wet road... Opotiki it was.

Bad news, sorry to hear about the bike 'droppings'. How did it happen Hitcher and did you manage to finish?

How did Jane go with the ride?

**RiderInBlack** · 18th October 2005, 19:17

So I'll try posting part one here:

RIB"S GC Ride Report "There and Back Again"
Chapter One: Getting There

Got up on Friday and finished my packing. Went to start "Roxanne" and she wouldn't start. I first thought that I had not put the choke on and had flooded her. This led me down the wrong path. First I lifted her tank to remove the spark plug and used the air compressor to blow some of the fuel out of her cylinders. This saw me drop one of the spark plug, which I then had to redo the gap on. Put her back together. Still no go. got the Engine Start and give her some of that. Still no fu*ken go. Just about ready to give up and then I clicked. It the process of changing her to the white "top" last night, I had bumped the kill switch (The Old Honda Kill Switch Joke, good one "Rox"). Switched it back, and away she went. Continued my pre:GC check and found that only one of the 2 headlights were working on dip. What a hassle changing the bulb. I was cursing that I had not checked this the night before when I had her "top" off (should have been looking her in the eyes instead of her chest, hey girls).

By 9:30am (and 55900miles on "Rox's" clock) I had everything sorted and pack, and headed to Whangarei. 30miles later I was got the new Z6 put on "Rox" at Planet Honda and departed from there by 11am. I headed down SH1. Fuelling at Wellsford and Ngaruawahia (there by 2:45pm and 203.5miles from home). Hit the back route to Turangi from there (Ngaruawahia-Otorohanga-Te Kuiti-Eight Mile Junction-Taumarunui-Turangi), arriving I think around 5-6pm (can't remember, but "Roxanne" now had 56250miles on her clock).

Went straight to the Scrutineers. Past but they reckoned that her chain needed a small adjustment (did that first thing in the morning and she only needed a 1/4turn, so I think it was just because the chain was still warm when they checked it). Then I settled down for the evening meeting KB'ers and other GC riders that I had meet last year.

At the invitation of Mr & Mrs H, I had dinner at the "Angler's Friend". Bloody awesome Scottish Fillet and a few Old Dark was just what the Doc had ordered. Got to meet Smoggie and two young chaps who were just touring NZ on bikes for the first time.

Then in was back to the Camp as the GC route had just been posted. Time to put it the hard head work. Trying memorise the route and plan best fuel stops (a very import part of the GC). Helped Smoggie with some of the planning, but it was not until 12midnight that I got to bed.

To Be Continued

**Korumba** · 18th October 2005, 19:30

Congrats on the completion of the GC, excellent time there mate.

Got me interested now RIB.... (Don’t type so fast, you know I’m a slow reader)

I have penciled myself in for next years GC.

Looking forward to the “Possum Nuts 500" or the "Half a Grand Challange” Would be happy to help you organize if you would like a hand.

**RiderInBlack** · 18th October 2005, 19:33

Originally Posted by Korumba

Congrats on the completion of the GC, excellent time there mate.

Got me interested now RIB.... (Don’t type so fast, you know I’m a slow reader)

I have penciled myself in for next years GC.

Looking forward to the “Possum Nuts 500" or the "Half a Grand Challange” Would be happy to help you organize if you would like a hand.

Thanks Korumba, will do (need a hand that is). It will take some time guys so please be patient.

**Zapf** · 18th October 2005, 19:56

Originally Posted by RiderInBlack

Thanks Korumba, will do (need a hand that is). It will take some time guys so please be patient.

Just my 2c idea..

Re mini GC, can get a list together and run a series of them (one is never enough) and then roster people on the list to help run it. So the event runs it self!

**Lee Rusty** · 18th October 2005, 19:59

NOPLACINGS in the Grand Challenge. IT is NOT A RACE
I am always suspect of those who want to be the fastest - and I have a long memory.

I have meet many people over the years who have WON this event - even the guy who got the prize money, none of whom had ever even entered.

Bikers can be bigger liars thatn fishermen.

IF you finished you did well - respect is due to you all in equal amounts.

If you didnt for what ever reason - We hope to see you have another go
but thanks for having the nouse to know your own limits.

For those need to know such things
113 entries - 5 DNS = 108 starters - 4DNF = 104 finshers.

49 went for 1st time, 11 for 2nd, 11 for third, 5 for 4th, 3 for 5th, 7 for 6th,
2 for 7th, 6 for 8th,1 for 9th, 1 for 10th, 1 for 14th, 1 for 15th, 2 for 19th.

21 BMW, 21 Suz, 5 HD, 33 Hon, 3 M Guzzi, 2 KTM, 2 Duc, 10 Yam, 7 Kaw, 1 Tri.

Oldest rider 69 was on his 10th run, 3 were women, youngest was 16.

Now as to other events - We dont have a problems with people organising other events but please dont use our name RUSTY NUTS M/C or events names as a reference as if there is any problems they can be confused with ours ie: Half a "Grand Challenge" and we are super jealous of our safety record and would not like to get our name tainted by someone elses event over which we had no control. Dont mean to be a hard head but I have had experiance of some one using a "name" that I have been involved with, and when their event turned to shit - people tried to involve me due to the similar
names. I dont need that sort of agro - it detracted from other things I was doing- and I hate wasting time.

**RiderInBlack** · 18th October 2005, 20:02

Originally Posted by Zapf

Just my 2c idea..

Re mini GC, can get a list together and run a series of them (one is never enough) and then roster people on the list to help run it. So the event runs it self!

Mmm, well there are KB'ers all over NZ. Maybe a series with them being run in different areas so that all KB'er can have a go (I'll do the Northland OK, it would be up to other KB'ers to run the rest

). Just give me a chance to get over my Post-GC-Lagg, OK

**Antallica** · 18th October 2005, 20:03

That's the one RIB, lets have a get together some day and plan something to keep those bloody Auckers guessing.

**Lee Rusty** · 18th October 2005, 20:06

does anyone have any objections to me lifting their pix and or stories to put on RNMC website.

Or if you have any other pix you think should be up for the masses to gaze upon. Let me know.

Any one doing a write up for their club newsletters etc we would like a copy for our site as well

Thanks to all the riders for their safe riding that saw them come home safe.

See you next year on the 20th Grand Challenge Anniversary or maybe in March on the Tiki Tour.

RideSafe

Lee

**heavenly.talker** · 18th October 2005, 20:22

Originally Posted by heavenly.talker

Lee (where for art thou Lee?)

Hi there
I'm not quite sure of your identity online so hopefully you will be reading this thread.

Could you please give me the name of the company you sent your forks to in Rotorua to get straightened?

Also I have a friend who would like to do your basic skills course...when is the next one being run?

Cheers and look forward to catching up soon
Kim
(old student of yours)

Thanks for the heads up on where to find Lee I have found him now :-)

cheers

**RiderInBlack** · 18th October 2005, 20:27

Originally Posted by Lee Rusty

Now as to other events - We dont have a problems with people organising other events but please dont use our name RUSTY NUTS M/C or events names as a reference as if there is any problems they can be confused with ours ie: Half a "Grand Challenge" and we are super jealous of our safety record and would not like to get our name tainted by someone elses event over which we had no control. Dont mean to be a hard head but I have had experiance of some one using a "name" that I have been involved with, and when their event turned to shit - people tried to involve me due to the similar
names. I dont need that sort of agro - it detracted from other things I was doing- and I hate wasting time.

Sweet. So any suggestions. My aim is to prepare riders for the GC in the way of practice runs. I would be more than happy not to use the "Grand Challenge" name as you (the Rusty Nuts) have more than earnt it, but would like to incorparate some of the things that makes the "Rusty Nuts' Grand Challenge" what it is. Like the night riding (hence running a 500miler as a Dusk to Dawn). I also don't want it as a race and would rather it was a test of route finding/map skills like orienteering.
By the way it was not my intention have finish the GC as quick as I did, but did get caught up in that towards the end

There were a very few riders that had set out with that in mind (being in first, won't name them as you know who those are better than me), but the most of us just got caught up in the fun of riding with each other (in a light hearted compeditive way).