Rusty Nuts Grand Challenge 2005

**Jantar** · 16th October 2005, 18:50

Great riding, and congratulations from me as well.

**XP@** · 16th October 2005, 22:25

Well done to all who attempted / completed the ride (more than I could muster this year

)
Looking forward to a full report.

**Zapf** · 17th October 2005, 00:49

nice... congrets!

wish I did something like that... so next year it is...

one question... how do you advoid the rabbits and possums at night?

**mangell6** · 17th October 2005, 07:20

You hit them like I did on the Western Access Rd. Stupid thing kept running all over the road in front of me. Another rider 'clipped' a possum and thought that he had only hit it with his foot but had cracked faring along with bits of fur.

**XP@** · 17th October 2005, 09:01

Originally Posted by Zapf

nice... congrets!

wish I did something like that... so next year it is...

one question... how do you advoid the rabbits and possums at night?

The small furry things suffer from target fixation, you don't need to so look the other way. failing that if you are going to hit one just keep upright and the power on.

**Holy Roller** · 17th October 2005, 14:15

Not a long post as it was a long ride OK then here it all is.

It was great catching up the others. Thanks RIB for the time in planning the ride, the times were pretty much correct as was planned for.
Passed Mrs then Mr H a short way into leg one, would have had a chat but the batteries in the radio had died only after half an hour. (they came with the radio). Tamaranui to Te Kuiti has us by pass to some goat track more suited to sports bikes than my big battleship that passed through Waimiha (for those who want to know). One exciting moment when a sign indicated a wash-out ahead. The road had been sealed over what seemed like a 300mm verticle drop into the wash-out then a slightly smaller one out of it a couple of meters later. Totally not expected fortunatly this was still in daylight hours. Through Te Kuiti to CP1 to Otorohanga where I refueled as the windys has used more gas than expected. Kihikihi, down a detour to bypass the Arapuni dam, Putaruru to Tauriko CP1 more fuel.

Pyes Pa road to Rotorua across to Atiamuri. Only bit of rain the whole trip for me what with a thumping headache and an open face helmet at this stage it was hard to concentrate properly in the dark. Whakamaru down the Western Access back to Turangi for CP2.

Changed helmets and downed a couple of panadol. Climbed into my riding suit and headed off to Gisborne. If I wasn't feeling better then I could pull out as I passed home. Found a group of three bikes who were riding at my pace and tagged on behind until we refueled at Bayview. They were fluffing around getting stuff to eat so off to Gisborne for me. A group of four bikes passed me as I was off the pace a bit so tag along I did. These guys could ride and following them I lernt heaps about the capabilities of my own bike. Headache gone and confidence growing I was really enjoying the ride. CP3 at 3.30am in Gisborne refueled again then off. Headache gone what a buzz this ride is becoming.

Through the gorge to Opotiki, awesome ride as I led the way to the beginning of the gorge then found that I was all by myself in the zone. The others had dropped off the pace possibly due to slightly damp roads. My new tyre did not miss a beat the whole trip even over the roadworks. Refueled at Awakeri enroute to the Mount. Arrive around 7am refuelled at CP4.

Straight down the Island to Waiouru for more fuel the headed down 49 to find some track marked "Fields Track". If the first detour in the journey was a goat track then words fail me as to how to describe this streach of the road. It was only 30km long mostly one vechicle wide no road markings apart from the "School Bus Route" signs, (you must be joking), and the occasional 20kph signs indicating a corner, though most were 20kph corners and did not have a sign. The sign "Stock next 15km" was true due to several sheep and lambs on the road and one huge turkey that nearly ended up on the back of the bike. This section was of awesome country beauty though I was concentrating hard on where the road was going and hopeing that no more vechicles were coming the other way as I has already passed a camper bus at the start of the track. Kakatahi came up with a steep drop off to CP5. At least we did not have to do this part in the dark as others have done.

Final leg to home. I realised that I could make the distance in under 20 hours if I upped the anti a bit. A quick fang along the National Park on SH4 and then home to Turangi saw me coming home in under the 20 hour mark. Some of the others were already there to welcome me. Once I stopped I felt really shattered. Got my badge and certificate woofed down the meal and felt revived enough to take on the trip home. Warr did a respectable time though RIB was cagey about his quick trip.

Would I do it again YES YES my big smile at the end said it all. I don't have the stats though I'm sure Rusty or some one will post them.

**zadok** · 17th October 2005, 14:57

Wow, that was some ride. Good bike for the job but.

**XP@** · 17th October 2005, 15:01

Where do you get the speeding permit from??
Can I get one with a 154 limit??

**RiderInBlack** · 17th October 2005, 19:02

Originally Posted by Warr

I think the quickest group made it in in not much more than 17 hours, me was 17:45ish.

I was not going to post my time but I am wondering if you got you times right. I left 3:12pm Sat, come in at 9:40am Sunday, Which I make to be just under 18 1/2hrs. I was 1 of the first 10 to come in, but I don't remember seeing you come in (GC blurred memory

). Did you come in before 9:40?
Will post report later. I have just got back home after riding 557Km and having Chinesse for dinner

and now need some sleep

**Groins_NZ** · 17th October 2005, 19:03

The GC turned out to be a great event. Thoroughly enjoyed the ride, what an adventure it was!

Probably spent 70% of the 19hrs riding time on my own but seemed to pick up with a couple of the same riders here and there which was great at lifting your spirits.

Didn't really have any sleepy spells - felt one coming on but then my 'riding partner' tagged along through the gorge and the pace that was turned on woke me up, although some of my lines through the corners were sometimes questionable (but hey no one was looking so who cares).

Was good to finally get back to camp at Turangi, my shoulder was killing me and my right foot was half numb (and still is?!). After having a beer and something to eat I hit rock-bottom as everyone said you do after finishing. Sure enough, nothing else to do but lie down for a couple of hours. Even the strong urge to pass some urine could not stir me from the sleeping bag.

Later in the evening after another feed the dinning room/kitchen filled up, mostly with regular GC attendees and a few stories were told, including that of the mighty Vostok!

Some things that I remember in particular about the ride (in no particular order)....
*The WASH OUT! All I remember is my eyes widening, standing up on the pegs and lifting the front up - straight over the top. Then I wondered how all the Gullwings & Roadkings got on?
*The possum that crossed the road - there's always one! (I think I took it's head off with an Oggy Knob).
*The goat track of death, aka "The Fields Track".
*Riding the Taupo to Napier highway alone after loosing Steve in the fog - not one biker did I see through there.
*Watching a line of bikes at night in the distance with their headlights shining, torch like, lighting up surrounding trees and road like a tunnel.
*First light and pulling in at Mt.Maunganui for my first hot pie and coffee, Mmmmmmmm.
*Check Point Two - realising how much more riding there was ahead, Mmmmmmmmmm.
*The beer at the finish, Mmmmmmmmmmmm.

Just after finishing I wasn't all that keen on the idea of doing the GC again but now, the day after, I'm sure I'll be back next year to make it a double.

By the way, I used 92.35 litres of fuel at a cost of $134.38.

Click image for the bigger version.

**RiderInBlack** · 17th October 2005, 19:25

Hey Groins, were you the KB'er on the ZZR250. Man if it was, you were riding sweet

PS: the bald twit with the KB t-shirt in your pic is me (all you can see on "Roxanne" is her phat arse)

**Groins_NZ** · 17th October 2005, 20:40

Originally Posted by RiderInBlack

Hey Groins, were you the KB'er on the ZZR250. Man if it was, you were riding sweet

PS: the bald twit with the KB t-shirt in your pic is me (all you can see on "Roxanne" is her phat arse)

No wasn't me RiderInBlack, I was on the black Hornet. Shook hands with you late Friday afternoon while Roxanne was parked by the scrutineering pad.

Your in this photo too? My Hornet's next to Hitchers red ST1300. The other chap in the pic with a 'shaved' noggin is Smoggie who's got a 97 ST1100 I think?

**RiderInBlack** · 17th October 2005, 20:41

Why am I still awake????

Oh by the way:

I want to plan a "Baby Grand Challange" (1000Km within 15hrs) or "Half A Grand Challange" (500miles/800Km within 12hrs) up here (around Northland roads) for those who want to get ready for the GC next year (or are too soft for it). Will start a plan if there is some interest.

**Antallica** · 17th October 2005, 20:44

You know I'll be up for that RIB, need to see what this GSF is really made of anyway.

**Warr** · 17th October 2005, 22:18

Originally Posted by RiderInBlack

I was not going to post my time but I am wondering if you got you times right. I left 3:12pm Sat, come in at 9:40am Sunday, Which I make to be just under 18 1/2hrs. I was 1 of the first 10 to come in, but I don't remember seeing you come in (GC blurred memory

). Did you come in before 9:40?
Will post report later. I have just got back home after riding 557Km and having Chinesse for dinner

and now need some sleep

Pretty much rite, I got in about 8.55, so based on leaving at 3.10 that equals 17:45. I last saw you at Opotiki I think. I basically rode by myself from 1/2 way through the Waioweka Gorge to the finish. At the finish before me there was only one group of riders in, not including the scooter.
My bike was parked over on the right by the fence, so guess you could have missed it

But I did see you,... Remember you were telling me about loosing the stopper on your drinking tube.