Marathon riders

[TOTO]

Lately I have noticed that I come home from yet another 500 - 600k ride and i want more.
In the past few months I have done a few of what I call a "Marathon rides". This is basically a 1000+km day ride. One of the latest ones involved 17 hours and 1300km around the central north island before I got home.

I am aware of a few KBers like The Honorarry GiJoe1313 and the Nutty Gremlin that are happy to commit to a ride of such proportions

I was wondering if there are any other Kbers who do such a thing on a regular bases ? Maybe we could go for a ride sometime

[Sharry]

I'm up for learning how to take on a marathon

[Mystic13]

There's bound to be a few of us but what you need is the Rusty Nuts Grand Challenge.

- 1600km's within 24 hours
- A mixture of winding sections and more open roads
- Start at 3pm at Turangi
- You get the route the night before to plan your stops etc
- Usually 100 plus entrants
- I think there are already some 50 riders paid up for the November 2009 event.
- It's on rain or shine.

www.rustynuts.org.nz

[Gremlin]

I think one point to make is, it isn't a walk in the park.

You don't casually think, oh, what the hell, the 200km ride has grown a bit short. It's not a short ride, long way from home, etc. Riders do also need to be capable of riding in the dark (my last two rides have finished after midnight) etc.

Oh... and ST1300 and such like aren't allowed. Those bastards make mincemeat of distances

edit: Mystic, he already knows about it... thats only on once a year tho. I need to book, going back for my second serving

Already hankering for the TT2000 next year, then 2011 has the TT2000 and SCRR hopefully (bike was in the shop this year). I think TOTO should sign up to the 10k in 10 days tour. I know thats beyond me, I don't see the point in that particular one

edit2: GC is always in October...

[TOTO]

10k in 10 days sounds good to me. Will have to do an oil change at some stage tho lol

edit: and tyres LOL

[Mystic13]

The problem with the 10k run is entry is 2800 odd and includes accommodation, dinner and breakie. I'd rather organise my own food and accommodation and try and save some dollars. For that price we might as well create a run, name it, make some badges and go for a 10 day ride.

The question with the 10 k run is with spending that money and that time can I do something else with the bike that i'd enjoy more and .... yes I can.

After a moments consideration the 10k run isn't for me.

A lot of my longer rides end up happening by accident. I remember going for a short ride North wearing leathers with my partner. Each stop we decided to head a little further North. At Kaitaia at 3pm we thought bugger it lets got to the cape. We arrived in Whangarei after 10pm just as rain started then stopped.

I was frozen to the bone so we stopped in the McDonalds car park and did the strip and re cloth routine. We put on every single item of clothing we could find before heading off home toasty warm. Plastic rain coats are unbelievable when it comes to keeping the cold out. It was probably the most unprepared long ride we've done.

We trust the fact that no mattter where you end up you can find a bed. That is always true except when the Hokianga Country Music festival is on.

Our plan this coming weekend is Siem Reap in Wellington for dinner. And Strawberry Fare for dessert. The weather is a bit questionable. We just haven't decided which way we'll go down or come back.

Generally the plan is point the bike in a general direction and take what ever road looks right.

[TOTO]

Yea, I was also reading trough the description of the 10k in 10 day ride. 2.8 k is quite alot of money. and I'd rather do the 10k by myself and its going to cost considerably less. There is also the fact that if doing it privately there is no added pressure of having to smuggle servicing in between somewhere, but instead go to a proper bike shop and have it done while sipping on a coffee or exploring the given city on a loaner motorcycle or something

[ital916]

I've been getting pretty keen for a long tour over a few days. might be keen beans for one. It does help to have a bike that is capable of cruising at speed without having the engine at redline though lol.

[TOTO]

long tour over a few days is not a marathon ride buddy, unless its a 1000+ a day.

[LBD]

I am in the 10K paid up and confirmed....I did think about the $ but I guess my case is a little different, I only get to see my bike for a short time twice a year and want to enjoy it as much as possible.

One of the good things about the 10K is that everything is organised ..ride, sleep, ride, sleep, etc no tents to pitch, comfy beds, food organised etc, and it is a challenge with goals set. And then there is the bonhommie with other riders of similar ilk.

I have done some long trips in the past long days on my own, and others in the company of friends. On team trips, the daily distances were limited to make it more of a holiday by the others, ie lets stop here for morning tea/ photo shoot/ sit in the sun, (numbum stops) all good but it meant turning back short of my goal of reaching North Cape, Norway. But then thats the democratic/team spirit approach. With the 10K targets are set and all riders are of like mind.

I am reallly looking forward to this...10 months away and I am laying awake planning...I already have the 5 k tire change and service booked for the 22nd March 2010....and leave approved....

[Maha]

long tour over a few days is not a marathon ride buddy, unless its a 1000+ a day.

Shut up TOTO you are scaring me with this crazy talk....

[zx rider]

long tour over a few days is not a marathon ride buddy, unless its a 1000+ a day.

I have done this sort of thing before on all sorts of bikes (spread over 25 years). Last summer did Auckland-Kaitia-Auckland loop, up the west coast and back the east coast) 900 k's solo and home for dinner too (a bit boring by oneself).
Yeah mate, get in touch with your ideas.

[mujambee]

I get to do 2 or 3 Marathon rides per year, and lots of half-Marathon (500~1000)

[P38]

I too enjoy longer rides far more than a shorter ones.

500kms is ok .... 1000kms is geting better.

Longer rides are pretty easy and very enjoyable when your riding the

"Fat Boys Couch"

[ital916]

long tour over a few days is not a marathon ride buddy, unless its a 1000+ a day.

I could be keen for 1000+ a day......with luggage and my fat arse on it ill probably top out at 100km/h tho lol...all good though, start riding at six, finish at nine pm, factoring in fuels stops.