2007 Grand Challenge - Tips

[Blackbird]

Think the same dude did a GC on his RG50 too. Unless it was another madman!

One one of the years I did it (97?), there was a guy on a Honda 100 and he missed by about half an hour if my memory serves me correctly.

[banditrider]

I guess you'd be shampoo'ing that Mohawk by now BR? lol

So who else is man enough to get haired up for the ride? There were 3 of us last year...

[Zapf]

Anyone keen for a long ride out from Auckland this Friday night? PM me if you keen. Sat night looks to be wet and I am running out my old tires at the moment. (less tread)

[Taz]

How much gravel are we riding??

[Zapf]

How much gravel are we riding??

none... 10 char

[Hitcher]

Unless its road works. (22 char)

[Blackbird]

Just to add a note of levity on a Friday afternoon, I shall throw the word "underpants" into the ring. Without being too unseemly, my first two Grand Challenges were undertaken wearing good old "speedo" type underpants and they damned near drove me insane. Whether it was the shape of my saddle which combined with the underpant design I have no idea, but after a few hours into the ride, the pants rode up between my cheeks and the leg seams also dug into the top of my leg, slowing circulation. It's hard enough concentrating in the latter stages of a ride like that anyway without undergarments driving you slowly insane.

On subsequent GC's and for the Southern Cross, I switched to the closer-fitting boxers as popularised among womenfolk by Dan Carter (oh, and as used by every male participant in the Hero Parade, but we won't go there). Problem completely solved. I haven't noticed any change to my sex life since changing to a more modern garment, but at least my motorcycling comfort has improved immeasurably.

And on that note, I will bid you a grand weekend

[xgnr]

Anyone keen for a long ride out from Auckland this Friday night? PM me if you keen. Sat night looks to be wet and I am running out my old tires at the moment. (less tread)

Bugger... missed this one... was all geared up for Sat night!

[Zapf]

Bugger... missed this one... was all geared up for Sat night!

don't worry, due to the lack of responses I went and did the coro loop today day instead. As it got dark I find that I am going into corners way too quick, as there were nothing to judge my corner speed by... (the bike just had new suspension and it is smooth).

so I think I need more lights... (head lights) so I can judge the corners better.

So where are we riding to tomorrow night? should we just meet up and decide then? PM me your cellphone number if u keen.

[xgnr]

don't worry, due to the lack of responses I went and did the coro loop today day instead. As it got dark I find that I am going into corners way too quick, as there were nothing to judge my corner speed by... (the bike just had new suspension and it is smooth).

so I think I need more lights... (head lights) so I can judge the corners better.

So where are we riding to tomorrow night? should we just meet up and decide then? PM me your cellphone number if u keen.

PM sent!

Thats why you find it out now eh. I find that my dip drops off horribly even with upgraded bulb. Was thinking about some extra lights on the forks to help with the headlight one way, wheels the other problem but havn't got round to getting the mounts sorted.

Cheers

Stu

[Kickaha]

what do you guys think, would a 250cc sports bike be able to do the gc?

If a Suzuki RG 50 can do the Southern Cross, a 250 can easily do the GC. However, the bike is only part of it. The rider's mental toughness and preparation counts for a big percentage of the success.

When I did it in 92-93 there was a guy who did it on a NSR80?

he was having problems walking the next day because his knees were so swollen due to spending so much time in such a cramped position but he completed it with in the allowable time so a 250 wouldn't have a problem

I agree with Blackbird in that it's more mental toughness that will see you through

[FJRider]

1000 miler's done in either island,are just as tough.Mental toughness IS the key. By starting off thinking ONLY 1600 km's left bogs the brain. Just think of more important things like the next checkpoint or the next fuel/food stop.And untill then,just worry about the next 100 metres of road ahead and what it HIDES. The rest / end will come...eventually. Ride at your Own pace.A half hour sleep will give more GO than a 6-pack of V. A pocket alarm clock comes in handy about then. If you need sleep...you can,if you dont...you cant. And if you need to pee,do it while you have a place and time to do it... in time. NO TWO 1000 MILERS ARE EVER THE SAME. NO TWO RIDERS ARE EVER THE SAME, relax and enjoy the ride,and just be careful. (sound familar)

[Zapf]

PM sent!

Thats why you find it out now eh. I find that my dip drops off horribly even with upgraded bulb. Was thinking about some extra lights on the forks to help with the headlight one way, wheels the other problem but havn't got round to getting the mounts sorted.

Cheers

Stu

Last night while riding out at Clevedon on our way to Maranda with a mate, we figured out there are these little noobs that lets me adjust the hight of my headlight beam... so wolla. It changed from Oh shit I didn't see that corner to, ah... corner here I come.

Just ordered a HID upgrade for my low beam, hopefully it'll arrive in time.

[Hitcher]

Just ordered a HID upgrade for my low beam, hopefully it'll arrive in time.

We rode with a mate on his Blackbird on our first GC. His straight-ahead pencil-thin high beam was great on the straights but piss useless in corners, so he ended up following us through most of the twisties. We'd upgraded the bulb in Mrs H's Marauder that year and following her on high beam was like following a small supernova, so we got her to lead through the Waioeka Gorge stage (in the freezing torrential downpour). Choose your riding companions tactically!

[clint640]

Went for a burn around East Cape on Saturday night to test out the new headlight & spotlight setup. It was going really well until a couple of sheep jumped out in front of me & sent me & bike cartwheeling down the road at 70km/h.

So assuming my ankle comes right it looks like I'll be doing the GC on either Rosie's Super Sherpa 250 or me mate Pauls DR650. The DR might be the ticket but I'm pissed off cos the 640 setup with comfort seat, hot grips, windscreen & lights was just chewing up the miles beautifully.



...& no, the sheep are not alright. I hope the woolly little fuckers burn in hell.

Clint