Dusty Butt 1,000km adventure ride

**Transalper** · 1st March 2007, 22:20

I'd still like to see a regroup of sorts especially if you want the event on video otherwise we might never see everyone on the tape after the start. I'd hate to have just the same two or three bikes in front of the camera the whole way.
And how do we know that someone who knows the gates are supposed to be locked wont come through, discover the first unlocked gate and lock it again while the last of the group are still coming thus stranding them on the Hamner side.

**Transalper** · 2nd March 2007, 00:49

Here's both gates as recorded on 31st March 2006 travelling South toward Hamner, including the open area just south of Hells gate that Cooneyr and I spoke of while testing our bike lights...
[YOUTUBE]3pUlBDkxu3s[/YOUTUBE]

**cooneyr** · 2nd March 2007, 07:36

Originally Posted by Transalper

I'd still like to see a regroup of sorts especially if you want the event on video otherwise we might never see everyone on the tape after the start. I'd hate to have just the same two or three bikes in front of the camera the whole way.
And how do we know that someone who knows the gates are supposed to be locked wont come through, discover the first unlocked gate and lock it again while the last of the group are still coming thus stranding them on the Hamner side.

Good point about potentially locked gates TA and there is also potential for others going though and getting locked between the two gates.

Looking at the the "schedule" I had included a 10min stop at the Old Rainbow Station (before I knew the gates would be locked). Therefore seems TA is right in that might be best then if we regroup at each gate. It is about 22 kms between the gates so shouldn't be too spread between the gates. I'm guessing we are going to meet at each of the refuel stops (or more often) else it will be a lonely long day.

Cheers R

**NordieBoy** · 2nd March 2007, 07:54

Originally Posted by cooneyr

One more thing - check your head light alignment. Went for a blat tonight in the dark and it made a diferance between feeling uncomfortable at 60kph to comfortable at 80-90 kph on a gravel road. Definatly worth the trouble.

"Comfortable"
"80-90 kph"
"Gravel"

Are not words I like to see together in a sentence.

**PLUG** · 2nd March 2007, 10:59

Originally Posted by cooneyr

Rang the Rainbow Station tonight re the locked gates. There are two locked gates Cheers R

Can we pick up another key on the way through Friday ???

**cooneyr** · 2nd March 2007, 11:13

Originally Posted by PLUG

Can we pick up another key on the way through Friday ???

I'm sure you or TA could try to. Is that what we want to do though? Passing the two keys back at each of the gates would defiantly work.

Bugger it - one of you two see if you can get a second key (you two sort out who is going to go to the station). If we get a second key then all good, else we can decide on a process during the briefing on the day. /Bugger it

R

**Transalper** · 2nd March 2007, 12:25

Someone please explain to me why a regroup at the first gate then passing the key on to the next person at the second is such a bad thing.
Like i said it'll do wonders for the video to have the group reform.

The solution if you continue to be stubborn... Key arrives at first gate, waits for second person, then key goes on to second gate while second person guards the first gate.
Third person reaches first gate and guards waiting for next rider while the second rider moves on to relieve the first rider now at the second gate. The first rider can then go on if he feels he has to.
It's a relay similar to before but with an extra person guarding the first gate making sure it's not locked again untill we're all through... that's if you really insist on not regrouping.

**cooneyr** · 2nd March 2007, 14:14

Originally Posted by Transalper

... Key arrives at first gate, waits for second person, then key goes on to second gate while second person guards the first gate.
Third person reaches first gate and guards waiting for next rider while the second rider moves on to relieve the first rider now at the second gate......

That is defiantly a workable solution with one key. Thanks for that TA.

Lets leave it till the day and see how the group interacts before we make a call about regrouping or not. We know we can get through with the resources we have and we also know that a regroup would be nice. If the group stays somewhat together then lets make a gate a regroup point. If we get strung out so the first person is 30ish mins ahead then maybe we wont regroup. See how we feel on the day.

Cheers R

**NordieBoy** · 2nd March 2007, 16:51

How long does the last person wait for if they don't realise they're last

**cooneyr** · 2nd March 2007, 17:55

Originally Posted by NordieBoy

How long does the last person wait for if they don't realise they're last

Designated tail end nana

i.e. me for that leg.

Cheers R

**warewolf** · 4th March 2007, 20:48

Originally Posted by NordieBoy

"Comfortable"
"80-90 kph"
"Gravel"

Are not words I like to see together in a sentence.

Unless there is also "KTM"

**NordieBoy** · 4th March 2007, 21:11

Originally Posted by warewolf

Unless there is also "KTM"

Hey CaveBoy, didn't something on your bike break recently?

**warewolf** · 4th March 2007, 21:14

Originally Posted by Transalper

The solution

... is a good one.

Originally Posted by cooneyr

Lets leave it till the day and see how the group interacts

Ditto.

My biggest concern is that confusion over an unattended gate causes a PR disaster, either because something is left unlocked or someone is locked out. I strongly recommend any gate unlocked by us is attended by us until it is locked by us. Don't forget we don't have exclusive use; someone else who finds the gate unlocked may lock it.

If we do get spread out prior to the rainbow, it would be nice to regroup somewhere comfortable (ie with a barista) while we wait. For that, I suggest a cafe in Hanmer, everyone (who needs to) should gas up first, then meet at the cafe for a break (lunch?) then head off at short intervals (to avoid dust). Have I used enough parentheses (brackets) in that last sentence??

We'll be in Hanmer kinda in the middle of the day, right? Even if we do get spread out during the morning, a lunch regroup followed by a bit of a convoy section through Rainbow would be fine, surely?

(PS Sorry been offline out bush since Thu arvo.)