2007 Grand Challenge - Tips

**Warr** · 13th September 2007, 23:40

Originally Posted by shafty

Tell me about the GPS you're using, - I'm in the market myself. Trying to suss best way to use one on the bike, ie ear piece etc etc Thanks Mate. (PM me if easier)

Likewise ... Still havent decided whether I need the city street type GPS. Sure would be useful riding around Auckland or other cities that arent usually getting around in.

**Taz** · 14th September 2007, 09:58

Here's a screenshot of the route I took yesterday. The detail doesn't come in fully until you zoom in on Mapsource or your GPS. I can definitely recommend the Garmin eTrex venture CX. It is a full colour unit with free auto routing maps of the whole of NZ. Contact tony at KiwiGPS http://www.finda.co.nz/business/listing/3xc/kiwigps/
He also sells on TM. He supplied the venture with all I needed to get started including a 512MB sd card with all the NZ free open gps maps http://www.gwprojects.org/gps/ already loaded. Extra's I bought included a handlebar mount and power cable to wire into the bikes battery. I wired in a cigarette lighter attachment from Repco directly to the battery to plug the lead into. That way the gps doesn't turn off every time you switch the ignition off on your bike. The buttons are easy to use on the move with gloves on but make sure you still watch where you are going

Really makes navigation easier and safer.
Hope this helps Ya all.
Andy.

**shafty** · 15th September 2007, 11:59

Podo (FJR1300) and I took the opportunity to do a practice night run last night - to shake down our gear and get the eyes used to it. Departed Tauranga last night at 11pm, with a displaced BMW Owner in tow, headed to Kopu via Paeroa, then across to SH27, then thru Tahuna to SH1 thru to Hamilton for gas where both the ST and FJR took on 14 litres at 1.30am.

Thru to Te Awamutu > Otorohanga > Te Kuiti for coffee and pie at 2.35am, then leg stretch at Taumarunui before topping gas at Turangi at 5.15am.
We back tracked to the western access thru to Whakamaru, another brief stop, then Tokoroa > Putaruru over the Kaimai's to a cafe brekkie back in Tauranga at 7.45am.

Total of 683 km's.

What a beaut night - awesome ride - some wet roads and fog to keep us on our toes, but no rain, clear skies, bugger all traffic, and warm as. I didn't turn the hot grips on til after 6.00am, and even then it wasn't freezing.

We averaged 78km/hr including stops - of which there were too many - but that was what the practice run was all about.

Bloody neat riding all night for a change - got off the Pan Euro feeling fresh as.

-Gassing up in Hamilton
-Taumarunui stop

**Taz** · 15th September 2007, 17:05

Sounds great Shafty. You were doing almost the same average overall speed as me. I also made more stops than if was doing the GC. I am surprised the BMW ride waited for you guys though

**puddy** · 15th September 2007, 18:01

DUCT TAPE. I always take duct tape. You can fix heaps of stuff with duct tape!

**Hitcher** · 16th September 2007, 17:26

I've got my FJR back and it appears to be running sweetly again. A practice ride may be in order very soon...

**Plugz 4 Lugz** · 20th September 2007, 20:08

......... I'll be at the Grand Challenge to make custom made earplugs for any riders who have been enquiring and wanting to know where we are going to be. $70 per pair, credit card facility available (or cash). Cheers Sue, Plugz 4 Lugz 027 659 1583

**banditrider** · 21st September 2007, 12:18

Originally Posted by Plugz 4 Lugz

......... I'll be at the Grand Challenge to make custom made earplugs for any riders who have been enquiring and wanting to know where we are going to be. $70 per pair, credit card facility available (or cash). Cheers Sue, Plugz 4 Lugz 027 659 1583

Cool, will probably be lining up for some. Thought that the price was $65 until Nov?

**clint640** · 21st September 2007, 12:37

Got me heated grips installed...mmm toasty! Just need to get a new headlight - the reflector is all tarnished at present - & fit the road tyres & I'm good to go.

Planning on a shakedown run around East Cape on the 29th.

Cheers
Clint

**xgnr** · 21st September 2007, 21:49

Hi all
Going for a longish run on Sat 22nd down HW 22 to Taurmaranui then 43 thru whangamomona round Mt Taranaki return to Dorkland (open to options

) . Heading away from Greenlane (Ascot Ave hospital carpark) 9am.

Legal speeds + 10 or so

PM me if you would like to come along all or part of the run (or txt on 0275-763-519)

Cheers

Stu

**Zapf** · 22nd September 2007, 02:11

My practice runs

29th, Sept. Plan on around 700km run. Leave Auckland around 3pm. Route may involve heading up North and back.

6th, Oct. Plan on around 1000~1200km run. Leave Auckland around 11am. Route may involve heading up North back thru Auckland and then out east to Tauranga -> Rotovagus -> across to Taupo and surrounding before heading back to Auckland. All depends on condition and k's covered.

12th, Oct. Leave Auckland Friday morning and head down to starting point. Staying at the cabins for start on Sat.

Speed will be around 120kmh indicated. Would work out around 110km GPS speed.

All welcome more the merrier. Will be doing actual GC speed, so minimum stops. Stopping for gas and sunset only. Plus a comfort / dinner stop. The idea is to condition the body and mind for lots of night time riding.

Will be updating post for starting time and location a day or two out from the ride.

**Taz** · 22nd September 2007, 09:45

...........10 char's

**xgnr** · 23rd September 2007, 07:38

Originally Posted by Zapf

My practice runs

29th, Sept. Plan on around 700km run. Leave Auckland around 3pm. Route may involve heading up North and back.

6th, Oct. Plan on around 1000~1200km run. Leave Auckland around 11am. Route may involve heading up North back thru Auckland and then out east to Tauranga -> Rotovagus -> across to Taupo and surrounding before heading back to Auckland. All depends on condition and k's covered.

12th, Oct. Leave Auckland Friday morning and head down to starting point. Staying at the cabins for start on Sat.

Speed will be around 120kmh indicated. Would work out around 110km GPS speed.

All welcome more the merrier. Will be doing actual GC speed, so minimum stops. Stopping for gas and sunset only. Plus a comfort / dinner stop. The idea is to condition the body and mind for lots of night time riding.

Will be updating post for starting time and location a day or two out from the ride.

Great thanks for the opportunity, will definitely tag along. Did 860km (11 hrs) yesterday Akl-HW22 to Raglan-Taurmaranui-HW43-Stratford-Tu Kuiti-Akl two stops for gas. Self imposed limit of 110km on the flats to avoid Mr Plod and provide some idea of speeds required.

Not a bad route with a number of winding roads,(43 is a great road eh) gravel and showers/rain... not enough in the dark tho' so this will be great to get the head around riding for long hours at night.

Cheers

Stu

**Jantar** · 23rd September 2007, 16:08

I've got to make a short business trip on Wednesday. Its only 1250 km so my boss has agreed to allow me to ride and the company will pay the equivilent return airfare. It should be a great practice ride for the 1000 miler and the postie bike challenge all wrapped in one.