2007 Grand Challenge - Tips

**jrandom** · 5th August 2007, 17:40

My cast will be off in time for the GC.

I'm tempted.

**xgnr** · 5th August 2007, 17:55

Originally Posted by BarBender

Would have been keen if you're werent in Welly.

Yeah should be good.
Me too - Not sure what to expect..so aim aiming low and easy and getting a good weeks sleep beforehand.
I 'm hoping to hook up with you guys on the day...if not before hand for a few rehearsal runs. We should hook up with Zapf

Yeah sweet.

I am pretty slow on the old Beemer (compared to the sprot bikes) but would be good to do a semi-organised couple of runs to compare notes time/distance eh.

I will PM my contact details so we can maybe try some longish runs out?

Cheers

Stu

**Hitcher** · 5th August 2007, 18:22

Originally Posted by jrandom

I'm tempted.

On the Snail? Your piles will bleed something chronic.

**Madness** · 5th August 2007, 18:24

Originally Posted by Hitcher

Hitcher's night practice rides will probably start in a couple of Friday's time. Departing about 6:30pm from Rimutex and returning home about 800-900km later. A bit of company would be welcomed!

I could be keen to join you, have done a couple of late-night "tootles around the block" this winter. 6.30 might be cutting it fine for me though, 7 would be better.

**Hitcher** · 5th August 2007, 18:30

Originally Posted by Madness

7 would be better.

7:00pm is fine. I thought a "block" involving "Highway 52" to Waipukurau could be a starter for one such night ride. Home via the windmills and Vinegar Hill.

**jrandom** · 5th August 2007, 18:41

Originally Posted by Hitcher

On the Snail?

On the Snail.

I'm well 'ard.

Fuckin' bring it on. I'm entering.

**TerminalAddict** · 5th August 2007, 22:41

I'm guessing me and Warr will do some practise runs leaving from hamilton.

**Hitcher** · 5th August 2007, 22:44

Originally Posted by jrandom

Fuckin' bring it on. I'm entering.

Mrs H and I will see you at Turangi on 13 October then!

**Zapf** · 5th August 2007, 23:31

Originally Posted by BarBender

We should hook up with Zapf

welcome to. can do some long day trips before hand for riding fitness anyway. I hear those 14's are quite nice for long distance work

Originally Posted by xgnr

I am pretty slow on the old Beemer (compared to the sprot bikes) but would be good to do a semi-organised couple of runs to compare notes time/distance eh.

Re speed. I generally just do 120 clicks tops. Its all in not stuffing around at the stops and also keeping good corner speeds. Doing Hyper speeds just means you use more gas and get more tired. Not to mention about being stopped by cops (losing a bit of time there).

I have see the old Beemers being ridding really well at a good speed thru the corners and tight stuff. So with us limiting our top speed u shouldn't have much problems.

If you have a GPS with average speed read out. You should aim for around 80km/h ish average speed over a long trip, including stops and etc.

**Taz** · 6th August 2007, 13:32

I'll be doing the grand challenge this year. Will be good.

**bryce** · 6th August 2007, 21:53

i found you drink to much with a camel pack,your stops are shorter if you ride in pairs and dont stop between 3 and 1/2 an hour after you normaly wake up if you can help it .i use the refleters at night and use the 45 sighns etc to carry corner speeds ,65=throtile of 55= down shift 45=throtile off, 2 down shifts.snake & drink at fuel stops ,have samething decent 4 tea.work out yours and you mates fuel range before you start,move around on the bike before your ass go numb.i dont ride much before the ride but to cill out on the saturday. i all so have never riden my bike to or from the G C ,just a ritual we started the 1st time we went.make sure your bike is fine they are picky

**bryce** · 6th August 2007, 21:57

take a spare key

**Beemer** · 7th August 2007, 10:44

My husband has done all the Grand Challenges to date and the one thing he found over the past few years that helped was to keep hydrated. He was the type not to bother stopping unless he needed petrol or food, so he wasn't drinking as much as he should. A few years ago he started drinking plenty of water during the ride and found he felt far less exhausted at the end. He also likes to stop for a good meal once it gets dark on the first day, allowing his body to get a decent break off the bike.

Good wet weather gear is essential, and make sure whatever you are wearing is warm enough for the conditions. Take layers that you can add or subtract depending on the weather.

I wouldn't recommend No Doze or anything like that, just plenty of sleep before the event, plenty of water during it, and regular breaks to stretch or have a snack. Andy says even five minutes off the bike, without the helmet, is enough to refresh him for another few hours.

Good luck, it's not an event I'll ever line up for, I doubt I'd be able to do it!

**DougieNZ** · 7th August 2007, 15:28

Hey thanks for all the tips guys and gals.

Practice - is it really necessary? The way I see it, why put yourself through the trauma of an overnight ride more than once!

Though I must admit I had a pretty rough first stint in the dark on the Southern Cross. By the 2nd stint of night riding I was a lot better - so may be there is merit in practice.

Hydration tips taken on board. One good thing is the fuel range on the ST. I will only have to stop at the checkpoints, that's for sure. Certainly on the SC I worked out exactly what my fuel range was - but that's another story!

Spare key? Damn good advice! :-)

Cheers