2008 Grand Challenge route revealed

**Hitcher** · 17th October 2008, 20:20

Thanks Puddy for TXTing the route for this year's Grand Challenge.

Start: Turangi
Taumarunui
Piopio
Waitomo
Te Anga
Kawhia
Whakamaru
Taupo
Napier
Waipawa
Waipukurau
Masterton
Pahiatua
Palmerston North
Vinegar Hill
Waiouru
Taupo
Rotorua
Whakamaru
Benneydale
Te Kuiti
Taumarunui
National Park
Rangipo
Turangi.

1609km. Marvellous.

I see that Lee Rusty has managed to secret more than a couple of goat tracks into that mix.

I so wish I was doing this.

Ride safely tomorrow everybody, and I hope that the weather holds off.

More info about checkpoints and other relevant route information will be posted as soon as I hear from my sources at Turangi.

**gijoe1313** · 17th October 2008, 20:22

Cheers for that Hitcher, blardy marvellous looking route ... will have to investigate it meself one day!

**Hitcher** · 17th October 2008, 20:30

UPDATE:

Waipukurau to Masterton is via Route 52.

Timecheck at Te Anga.

Checkpoints at Te Kawa crossroads; Waipukurau; Masterton; Rotorua; Te Kuiti; National Park.

**Hitcher** · 17th October 2008, 20:46

WEATHER INFORMATION

It looks like the field may encounter a bit of weather, but the outlook isn't that bad.

**Blackbird** · 18th October 2008, 06:51

I reckon that Lee is going soft! The Te Anga leg will be knocked off in daylight and that would be dire in the dark! He sent us out to Kawhia in the dark and that WAS dire!

As always though, the Grand Challenge is an apt title and best of luck to all!

**Hitcher** · 18th October 2008, 15:41

Google Maps estimates this route at 1,624km. That's based on turning at town centres. Service station checkpoints may be closer to the edge of towns, shaving a few km.

**MaxB** · 18th October 2008, 15:59

Thanks for that Hitcher. Most appreciated. Seems like its 99% seal and the 'bad bits' will be over in daylight. But being up on the Central plateau will make it interesting overnight.

Just got in from work so no go for me this year.

**Beemer** · 18th October 2008, 16:11

You really ARE suffering withdrawal symptoms, aren't you, Hitcher!

Andy rang late last night to tell me where they were heading. Looks like they may strike it lucky with the weather, although it may be cold heading down the Wairarapa. He said he should be reaching Palmerston North about 3am tomorrow and he thinks it will be very tempting not to ride the extra 50kms and come home!

He surprised a few people this year by turning up on a different bike to the R100RS he's used for many years. He bought a second-hand R1100RT a few weeks ago so he's giving that a try this time. Hopefully it will be a tad more comfortable than the old Beemer.

The best bit for me is about 9am Sunday morning when he rings me to say he's finished!

Good luck everyone, and I hope you all finish safely.

**Hitcher** · 18th October 2008, 17:02

They'll be at Kawhia by now...

**Beemer** · 18th October 2008, 18:03

At least, judging by the weather forecast I've just seen, they aren't going to be hit as badly as first thought. At about six o'clock while I was sitting on our deck in brilliant sunshine with a glass of wine and some cheese and crackers, I thought "poor buggers will only be three hours into it!" Andy usually finishes about 8am-9am Sunday morning if the weather is okay, so even he's got another 15 hours or so to go.

**elle-f** · 18th October 2008, 18:35

The weather here in the wairarapa is a bit windy and a little rainy - but not too bad. Hope that's all the weather is doing for them. Sounds like great fun

**Hitcher** · 18th October 2008, 20:57

They'll be almost at Napier now...

**Highlander** · 19th October 2008, 15:11

Should be all over by now. Looking forward to the ride report threads.

**Beemer** · 20th October 2008, 08:23

I think Andy enjoyed having a change of bike and he certainly didn't look as tired as he usually does when he got home. He was very pleased they didn't cop the weather that was forecast, although they did have some rain.