Expressions of interest required for The Great Escape, 10-11 November

[chanceyy]

just doing a bit of a work out on recent rides. Now we are getting a little nortorious for the frequent stops on the rides and while averaging close to 100km.hr on the move our averages for total time are ranging from 55km to 61km.

Day one ride on this trip has been mapped at 785k. My mapping program does not have auto routing so can be about 10% out so worst case is day one could be up to 863km.

At an average speed of 55-61km.hr that makes a ride time of 14.1 -15.5 hours for day one.

Considering that we intend to leave at 6.30am that makes our arrival at gisborne between 830pm and 10pm.

So one of two things.

1. raise the overall average times by limiting stops to every couple of hundred kms. This means that the group WILL break up on the trip and each rider will be responible for knowing where and how to get to the next checkpoint. I dont think that we can raise the average speed by simply riding faster.

2. shorten the route.

Thoughts.

just wondered to make the rides flow .. second rider behind leader drops off til TEC comes through .. it made the ride I organised flow .. that way your not stopping at each corner waiting for everyone & you can get a good distance going without all the stops .. if ya desperate for a smoke just make sure your the second rider alot .. ..

[cowboyz]

That system works well as long as the rider who stops and waits doesnt take their helmet off. Its downside (especially as the distance gets on) is that the slower (read, less experienced riders) don't get a break as they are always waved through.

I am going to be back up in the naki in a couple of weeks and I might make up a practice ride where minimum distance to stops will be 200km. just to see what difference it makes to the average.

[86GSXR]

800 + kms is a long ride alright, and that's 8 hrs non stop riding. It's important to take rest breaks, especially towards the end as fatigue sets in.

I think the best way to manage this is a combination of the above suggestions, ie, 2nd rider waits for TEC, take organised breaks every 1 1/2 - 2 hrs, and as Barry has planned, take out a couple of the afternoon loops.

We don't want to arrive completely fucked and we do want a bit of time to wind down and enjoy the days riding with a couple of cold ones when we get there.

[dogsnbikes]

That system works well as long as the rider who stops and waits doesnt take their helmet off. Its downside (especially as the distance gets on) is that the slower (read, less experienced riders) don't get a break as they are always waved through.

I am going to be back up in the naki in a couple of weeks and I might make up a practice ride where minimum distance to stops will be 200km. just to see what difference it makes to the average.

I agree with you mate.......I will expect team work from everyone on the ride to get too where we need to be at certain times

[chanceyy]

800 + kms is a long ride alright, and that's 8 hrs non stop riding. It's important to take rest breaks, especially towards the end as fatigue sets in.

I think the best way to manage this is a combination of the above suggestions, ie, 2nd rider waits for TEC, take organised breaks every 1 1/2 - 2 hrs, and as Barry has planned, take out a couple of the afternoon loops.

We don't want to arrive completely fucked and we do want a bit of time to wind down and enjoy the days riding with a couple of cold ones when we get there.

and also with another full days riding on the sunday when your already sore . fatigue will set in quicker

[chanceyy]

That system works well as long as the rider who stops and waits doesnt take their helmet off. Its downside (especially as the distance gets on) is that the slower (read, less experienced riders) don't get a break as they are always waved through.

less experienced riders = Me

[ynot slow]

That system works well as long as the rider who stops and waits doesnt take their helmet off. Its downside (especially as the distance gets on) is that the slower (read, less experienced riders) don't get a break as they are always waved through.

I am going to be back up in the naki in a couple of weeks and I might make up a practice ride where minimum distance to stops will be 200km. just to see what difference it makes to the average.

Should be easy time wise for you,say stop in Straford,should be around 200 km from Ashurst/Palmy,then onto Waitara back to Waverley for stop around 170km,then home,maybe take 30 mins for rest breaks.About 550km return trip.

[dogsnbikes]

and also with another full days riding on the sunday when your already sore . fatigue will set in quicker

But dont forget sunday is less than 5ook and we have more time
Oh and I dont have too be at work until wednesday

[chanceyy]

But dont forget sunday is less than 5ook and we have more time
Oh and I dont have too be at work until wednesday

hmm it might be less than 500 ks but for us newbies not used to all that riding .. it will be tiring .. thinking I might need a sheepskin for the bike on this trip though .. seat gets very uncomfy after a few hours riding

& stop showing off ya bugger .. I might have to call in sick on the monday to recover

[cowboyz]

no offence buddy but we dont seem to be able to get in and out of taranaki for under 650km. There are just too many good roads up there that need to be ridden. This return trip to taranaki will be a good appertiser for dogs ride. My point being that the pace last weekend simply isnt going to cut it.

And I am not poking the finger really. Just trying to put a dose of reality into the "dream". Meanie, Mouse and I did 2700km in a weekend over the 4 points ride and we did not exceed 140km.hr. It is more than possible but even then there were unscheduled stops due to the weather and fatigue where we just could not continue. I dont want to portray a "I must carry on even though I feel like I am going to fall off on every corner and I can barely stay awake" mentality as safety should be first and if rest is required then it should be paramount over the ride. There is a huge difference between 3 riders out and about and 15 riders out and about. I think we shouldnt have a problem looking out for each other but the realiity of it will be over 200km the difference between the first rider arriving and TEC could be 30 minutes. Another issue that needs to be addressed is that the ones who have been waiting at a stop for 15-20mins dont jump striaght back on the bikes and have the end riders getting 5 minute break before starting out again. There are plenty of challenges to long distance riding and just like people to know that the rose has thorns before picking them.

[dogsnbikes]

hmm it might be less than 500 ks but for us newbies not used to all that riding .. it will be tiring .. thinking I might need a sheepskin for the bike on this trip though .. seat gets very uncomfy after a few hours riding

& stop showing off ya bugger .. I might have to call in sick on the monday to recover

you could spend less time yaking and more time riding

[chanceyy]

you could spend less time yaking and more time riding

ppfffft .. meaning less time working .. mate even you would have been proud of the way I rode yesterday

[dogsnbikes]

ppfffft .. meaning less time working .. mate even you would have been proud of the way I rode yesterday

I hope so lol and how did busty betsy go like a NZ sheep with a Aussie after it I hope

[chanceyy]

I hope so lol and how did busty betsy go like a NZ sheep with a Aussie after it I hope

Actually it was a couple of poms & she went like a blardy lil rocket

[Meanie]

I think the distance is acheivable but we cant stop every 30mins
What about designated stops ie fuel stations approx 200kms apart where we wait for the last rider and leave ten or fifteen mins after he or she arrives thus giving all a break
Even on the week end the slow riders were only five to ten mins behind
Another option could be a short cut across the loops for anyone feeling a little fatiuged, again with a designated fuel stop to reassemble
Everyone needs to have a map and a list of reassemble points
Everyone should have Dogs mobile no to inform him of any problems or delays so a decision at the fuelstop can be made to continue or wait, Comunication will be vital
Thoughts ?