2007 Grand Challenge - Tips

**Blue Bandito** · 24th August 2007, 08:52

Originally Posted by Jantar

I'm glad to see that you are all well prepared for the GC. Of course I realise that you are only using it as a practice ride for the real 1000 miler in December.

Would love to bring the green mohawk down to Chatto Creek. Can't make it this year though. Will be down for "Mini Returns" next year and "2009 Southern Cross". Maybe after that is done?

Until then will keep up the practice on the GC.

**Krusti** · 24th August 2007, 09:25

Just started reading ,Twisting Throttle , he says that in the USA they do the Iron butt. 1000miles in 24 hrs for 11 days!

**Hitcher** · 24th August 2007, 09:50

Originally Posted by Krusti

Just started reading ,Twisting Throttle , he says that in the USA they do the Iron butt. 1000miles in 24 hrs for 11 days!

That has to include vast stretches of Interstate, or the quaffing of large amounts of amphetamine. Completing an event of that scale would require a rolling average of at least 100kmh, to allow for such things as sleep and a tyre change!

**Blackbird** · 24th August 2007, 10:25

Yep, even the Iron Butt 1000 miles in 24 hours ride involves a lot of interstate highway riding.

**banditrider** · 24th August 2007, 11:52

Originally Posted by Blackbird

Yep, even the Iron Butt 1000 miles in 24 hours ride involves a lot of interstate highway riding.

Kinda cheating if there's no corners...

**clint640** · 24th August 2007, 12:43

Originally Posted by shafty

Good tips and advice one and all, cheers.

My entry is in, as is a Mate on an FJR. Anyone else from the Bay of Plenty entered?

Yeah Bro, I'm gunna give it a go, tagging along with Warewolf & his mate, they're both seasoned campaigners, hopefully this n00b will be able to go the distance!

Cheers to all for the tips above!
Clint

**Taz** · 24th August 2007, 17:26

Sounds good Clint. Know your start time yet?
Andy.

**puddy** · 24th August 2007, 20:47

Originally Posted by Jantar

I'm glad to see that you are all well prepared for the GC. Of course I realise that you are only using it as a practice ride for the real 1000 miler in December.

The Real One?

**Brian d marge** · 24th August 2007, 21:24

All those rides ... a wimpy 1000 kilometers, not even Manly miles but those French kilometers things , with Late' ( that funny coffee that comes in a can and not from a Jar like real coffee)

phhhhhhhhhhh

they pail into a small in consequential small thing when compared to

http://www.mongolbikers.com/

These 2 loony s

and apparently the places fill up real quick come registration day !!! ( there must be more loony s out there !)

Stephen

**xgnr** · 25th August 2007, 18:15

Went for a trial run today based on BLACKBIRD's suggestions (thanks Geoff

)

Got on the road at 2.30AM and headed towards Te Awamutu via the backroads ... got a tad lost... more later

Anyways, decided to get some windy bits covered in the dark when I was a bit jaded. Rain, Fog, slippery roads, possums... fantastic.

Even better when the headlight decided to stop working without warning... 80km and ... no road eeeek...

Fookin' Bulb connector is too loose so another bit to tweek up (thats why you practise right?)

Then I sorta took a wrong turn and completed 300Km before dawn... ended up at Pukekohe

when I had already gone through Waingaro springs (at some stage... I saw the pub so musta been there)

4.30am came across a pickup that had lost the plot and hit a bank.. checked for bodies but none thank goodness (tip # 124376 .. take a torch)

Sorta worked it out that I had headed all the way down and came all the way back so decided to hit the main road to do the Coro Loop. Nice and quiet at 7.30 am (heading anti-clockwise) with some showers which slowed things down.

Cold... Tip # 123477 Get heated grips

Did the loop and decided to head off back to Te Awamutu via Paeroa / te Aroha to see how the body was feeling.

Spotted a Bikie (yep a real one) pushin' his Harley so stopped and asked if he needed some help...

After a couple of attempts pushing him I suggested that I start the big fuker and he push. (he was a big boy)... A joint effort got the thing going and I had a wee blat on it lol. sans helmet...

Back on the bike (musta been 10 hrs and 700Km by this stage) and off to Waingaro via the Raglan road.

Arrived home around 1530 which was a 13hr ride. Didn't go over 110km (much) and was taking a lot of care in the rain (scared of shiny black bits

)

Hit 800km in 11.5 hrs (including the unexpected and gas stops etc). Gave me some comfort that I can do it albeit need to speed up a tad.

Final Tip: cut up the rooted Sheepskin Woolrest for a seat cover (fantastic, dries quickly and the synthetic backing dries real quick. No Bum pain at all)

Cheers

Stu

**Jantar** · 25th August 2007, 19:25

Originally Posted by Brian d'marge

All those rides ... a wimpy 1000 kilometers, not even Manly miles but those French kilometers things .....

No, we do 1000+ miles, not kilometers. Last year's Chatto Creek 1000 was 1670 km.

**puddy** · 25th August 2007, 20:10

Originally Posted by Brian d'marge

All those rides ... a wimpy 1000 kilometers, not even Manly miles but those French kilometers things , with Late' ( that funny coffee that comes in a can and not from a Jar like real coffee)

phhhhhhhhhhh

they pail into a small in consequential small thing when compared to

http://www.mongolbikers.com/

These 2 loony s

and apparently the places fill up real quick come registration day !!! ( there must be more loony s out there !)

Stephen

Yeah, you'd be the kind of guy that rides twice that distance to work daily on your Enfield! Are you allowed to take the Enfield on the subway?