Rusty Nuts Grand Challenge 2005

[Groins_NZ]

Probably at one of the petrol stations forecourts - Mobil?

Are Mr n' Mrs Hitcher travelling up Friday?

[Hitcher]

Probably at one of the petrol stations forecourts - Mobil?

Are Mr n' Mrs Hitcher travelling up Friday?

Mr Groins. We are indeed. If you fancy a leisurely saunter northwards, you would be most welcome to ride with us. We can negotiate departure arrangements closer to this auspicious event!

[justsomeguy]

I really want to do this run.

But I will have to ride down on Fri night from Auckland and ride back to Auckland on the Sunday night.

Is this at all feasible for a first timer???

I've started a new job and can't/don't want to ask for time off.

[Hitcher]

I really want to do this run.

But I will have to ride down on Fri night from Auckland and ride back to Auckland on the Sunday night.

Is this at all feasible for a first timer???

I've started a new job and can't/don't want to ask for time off.

Don't do it. If you can't take time at the end to relax and get some sleep, you're only putting yourself at risk.

[RiderInBlack]

Don't do it. If you can't take time at the end to relax and get some sleep, you're only putting yourself at risk.

Bloody good advise

[Blackbird]

I'm with Hitcher. First time we did the ride, we rode the 160 km to Turangi on the Saturday morning and home again straight after the ride. Went to work on Monday and all of us were completely ruined. I still prefer to ride down on the Saturday and go home on Sunday because it's not really that far for us and I sleep better in my own bed, but have always taken the Monday off so that I can have a good lie-in.

Leave your first ride until you're well prepared and can enjoy it - no sense in inviting grief

[figjam]

I really want to do this run.

But I will have to ride down on Fri night from Auckland and ride back to Auckland on the Sunday night.

Is this at all feasible for a first timer???

I've started a new job and can't/don't want to ask for time off.

Then leave it until next time. I did what you're suggesting my first time because I didn't feel too bad at the end. I was a mess for nearly a week afterwards.

[RiderInBlack]

Having meet some of you thinking to do this the first time, it concerns me that some of you may not be as ready as you think to take this Challenge on. In light of this, I ask you to seriously ask yourselfs these questions:

1. What is the furtherest distance you have riden your bike ("Cages" don't count for this) in one day?
2. Have your toured long distances on your bike (not "cage")?
3. How well maintained is your bike?
4. Have you allowed yourself enough time to do this?
5. Can you afford to do this event?

Please do not be in too much of a hurry to this until you are WELL prepared.

Thanks
Doug

[Blackbird]

Doug is spot on with his comments. The other factor is how much have you ridden at night over roads that you don't know?

[Waylander]

1. What is the furtherest distance you have riden your bike ("Cages" don't count for this) in one day? about 1200 miles
   
   
2. Have your toured long distances on your bike (not "cage")? yes but not often
   
   
3. How well maintained is your bike? could be better but it should do
   
   
4. Have you allowed yourself enough time to do this? Can do that easily enough
   
   
5. Can you afford to do this event? Doubt it but trying
   
   

It's that last one that is the problem.

[Lee Rusty]

this is not a RACE - this is not a hard test for any well maintained motorcycle in good condition - IT is a test of stamina of the rider. The roads are not all main roads by any means - there is some tarsealed snot out there, we dont pick metal roads, but road works are nearly always encountered, as is FOG, Rain, Cold, Wind, even the odd exploding volcano.

IF you have entered - you should be out clocking up some miles now, pref at night to harden your arse and sharpen your eyes, IF you are not ride fit - you risk yourself, bike, wellbeing, and our reputation.

This is a fun event - DONT take it to lightly. We want you to take part but more than that we want you to finish in one piece

Lee (Only 3 weeks to go for entries).

[justsomeguy]

[QUOTE=RiderInBlack]Having meet some of you thinking to do this the first time, it concerns me that some of you may not be as ready as you think to take this Challenge on. In light of this, I ask you to seriously ask yourselfs these questions:

1. What is the furtherest distance you have riden your bike ("Cages" don't count for this) in one day? 5 hours non-stop
   
2. Have your toured long distances on your bike (not "cage")? not really
   
3. How well maintained is your bike? pretty mint
   
4. Have you allowed yourself enough time to do this? riding for 8 months now done about 12000ks of mostly country riding
   
5. Can you afford to do this event? yes
   

Please do not be in too much of a hurry to this until you are WELL prepared.



I guess next time it is for me then


Longest in a cage was 23 hours non stop and I was a zombie was the rest of the week........so I see what you mean Dougie.

Thanks - NO THANK YOU FOR PUTTING THINGS INTO PERSPECTIVE.

[RiderInBlack]

[QUOTE=justsomeguy]

Having meet some of you thinking to do this the first time, it concerns me that some of you may not be as ready as you think to take this Challenge on. In light of this, I ask you to seriously ask yourselfs these questions:

1. What is the furtherest distance you have riden your bike ("Cages" don't count for this) in one day? 5 hours non-stop
   
2. Have your toured long distances on your bike (not "cage")? not really
   
3. How well maintained is your bike? pretty mint
   
4. Have you allowed yourself enough time to do this? riding for 8 months now done about 12000ks of mostly country riding
   
5. Can you afford to do this event? yes
   

Please do not be in too much of a hurry to this until you are WELL prepared.



I guess next time it is for me then


Longest in a cage was 23 hours non stop and I was a zombie was the rest of the week........so I see what you mean Dougie.

Thanks - NO THANK YOU FOR PUTTING THINGS INTO PERSPECTIVE.

Sorry to be the bubble burster But glad you have had a good hard think about this event. Use you time now to prepare yourself for the next time.
Took me 3years (for the first time I decided that I wanted to do it) before I had everything right to be able to take this event on. The result was successfully completing it on my first attempt (there were a few there who had tried on previous year, but had not been able to complete it). Shit was I buggered but.
Started out around 3pm Sat. Come in around 1:30pm Sunday (feeling like I had had 6 of the best (caneing) for being caught out All Night Nightclubbing). Had one hell of a job putting "Roxanne's" sidestand down and peeling my sore arse off her seat (without dropping her). Rust Nut's dinner was well recieved by my raveniously hungry belly. Had a shower, but didn't get to drink my reward beer (had the "Old Dark", thanks Rusty Dudes , when I got home on the Monday) that evening because by 2pm I was sound asleep in my cabin . 16hours later (Monday morning), having had the best sleep I had had for Months (go figure), I woke and (much to my surprise) was looking forward to the 500Km+ ride home Best move I had made was taking the Monday off

[Groins_NZ]

Hey RiderinBlack, question for ya...

Did you stop very often during the ride or just for fuel stops?

Cheers.

[PLUG]

This is all good info. Am a newbie & planing to do the S.I. equivalent, the Chatto Creek event in late November ... practice, practice, practice seems to be the message. Are there any off bike things that will assist physical/mental endurance ???