Manawatu Rant n Rave

**Mrs Cowboyz** · 16th October 2007, 17:49

Originally Posted by banditrider

Finished my write-up of the ride (week off work, crap weather).

http://andrew.l.thomson.googlepages....grandchallenge

Just finished reading it...what an amazing write up banditrider!! Makes me wanna get my own bike now and head out for a ride!! I can see why Mr Cowboyz is eager for next years challenge.
Is it the same route every year? Or do they change it?

**banditrider** · 16th October 2007, 18:36

Originally Posted by Mrs Cowboyz

Just finished reading it...what an amazing write up banditrider!! Makes me wanna get my own bike now and head out for a ride!! I can see why Mr Cowboyz is eager for next years challenge.
Is it the same route every year? Or do they change it?

Thanks, glad you enjoyed it. It's always a different route and you never know where you're going until you get there and they put the map up.

There's quite a few good write ups of the event starting to pop up on the Kiwi Biker. This one http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/bl...9500&entry=307 by Koroj is really good. He's a real hard man and did the 500km extension to take him up to 2100 all up! And he didn't finish that far after us!

**Plugz 4 Lugz** · 16th October 2007, 18:42

Just out of interest, the earplugs have an Aust/NZ rating grade 4 std, so I'm a bit concerned that you feel disposable foams would give you better hearing protection. My survey on this continues............ Thanks for your input.

Originally Posted by banditrider

Yep, got some. Here's my 2 cents about them:

Fit really well so comfortable to wear for 1000 miles
Need to put them in correctly otherwise they don't work (doh)
Not as effective as foam ones for noise but far more comfortable.
Unsure if they protect your hearing as much as disposable ones as more noise gets thru...

**Plugz 4 Lugz** · 16th October 2007, 18:44

........ to rearrange the double booking for the 27th but unfortunately it can't be done. Will look forward to catching up to at a later date. Commiserations

Sue

Originally Posted by NZsarge

I'll probably see you at Manfeild on the 27th, if not definetely Taupo Nov 4th. Probably just get a standard set this time and see how they go.

**Plugz 4 Lugz** · 16th October 2007, 18:45

........ to rearrange the double booking for the 27th so I could attend Suzuki track day at Manfeild, but unfortunately it can't be done. Will look forward to catching up to at a later date. Commiserations

Sue

Originally Posted by NZsarge

I'll probably see you at Manfeild on the 27th, if not definetely Taupo Nov 4th. Probably just get a standard set this time and see how they go.

**banditrider** · 16th October 2007, 18:54

Originally Posted by Plugz 4 Lugz

Just out of interest, the earplugs have an Aust/NZ rating grade 4 std, so I'm a bit concerned that you feel disposable foams would give you better hearing protection. My survey on this continues............ Thanks for your input.

It's possible that I'm still getting the hang of fitting them correctly but I'm still not sure if they block off the ear canal as effectively. But as I say they are definitely more comfortable and it's easier to get your helmet on over them. I need to test them some more...

**yod** · 16th October 2007, 19:18

just back from a quick spin round the block: ashhurst -> feilding -> halcombe -> hunterville -> vinegar hill -> home

a bit windy when i set out but it mellowed, and apart from the young lass that felt like riding her bicycle across the road in front of me without bothering to check if there were vehicles around, it was all good

**cowboyz** · 16th October 2007, 19:23

bloody good writeup there BR. You know next year you are going to have a green bike following you.

**manwithav8** · 16th October 2007, 19:30

Originally Posted by yod

just back from a quick spin round the block: ashhurst -> feilding -> halcombe -> hunterville -> vinegar hill -> home

a bit windy when i set out but it mellowed, and apart from the young lass that felt like riding her bicycle across the road in front of me without bothering to check if there were vehicles around, it was all good

I wanted to go for a quick squirt to see how the clutch is fairing up now but the couch is to comfy lol....

**banditrider** · 16th October 2007, 19:33

Originally Posted by cowboyz

bloody good writeup there BR. You know next year you are going to have a green bike following you.

Good to see it didn't put you off. Are you sure you'll be following me - I mean 22 hours

**banditrider** · 16th October 2007, 19:36

Originally Posted by yod

just back from a quick spin round the block: ashhurst -> feilding -> halcombe -> hunterville -> vinegar hill -> home

a bit windy when i set out but it mellowed, and apart from the young lass that felt like riding her bicycle across the road in front of me without bothering to check if there were vehicles around, it was all good

I did 3 GC's on my RF - it can be done. Can I twist ya rubber arm?

**Plugz 4 Lugz** · 16th October 2007, 19:37

........ let me know how you get on. Catch up with us at an event some time, they might possibly need a double 'dip' of koter. Cheers Sue

Originally Posted by banditrider

It's possible that I'm still getting the hang of fitting them correctly but I'm still not sure if they block off the ear canal as effectively. But as I say they are definitely more comfortable and it's easier to get your helmet on over them. I need to test them some more...

**yod** · 16th October 2007, 20:06

Originally Posted by banditrider

I did 3 GC's on my RF - it can be done. Can I twist ya rubber arm?

ill get back to ya next year, but could certainly be convinced

**NZsarge** · 17th October 2007, 07:10

Originally Posted by Plugz 4 Lugz

........ to rearrange the double booking for the 27th so I could attend Suzuki track day at Manfeild, but unfortunately it can't be done. Will look forward to catching up to at a later date. Commiserations

Sue

Taupo on the 4th of November then?