2008 Grand Challenge route revealed

[Taz]

Was another great GC. Came in 6th at 10:57am. Was almost as easy as last years.

[Hitcher]

I hate to ask, but how long did it take Slippery Ian to complete?

[DougieNZ]

Yes interesting stuff. I have read a couple of interesting reports. Once again one mentioned a small number of bikes on an interesting road.

Last year I remembers seeing 3 bikes heading south on SH1 in the middle of the night when the route told them to go north and take SH10 afte the Kaitaia checkpoint.

A "genuine mistake"? Going south instead of north from Kaitaia?

I have my doubts.

I reckon there are a (very) few each year that don't follow the route (but still check in at all the checkpoints), and then "burn off" the k's on straighter roads so that their Odometer is still right on arrival. Then perhaps get back to Turangi and boast about their extra fast time...

As I said last year.... "You are only cheating yourselves!"

As far as I am concerned, if you don't exactly travel all of the route, then you shouldn't pick up your badge...

Comments?

[Blackbird]

A "genuine mistake"?
Comments?

We found the same thing when a previous route called for a back road night ride from Pirongia though Tuakau to the checkoint at the Bombay service station. There was a bunch of people at Bombay who didn't pass us on the back road yet were already gassing up at Bombay when we arrived. Must have gone straight up SH1. Speedo error and getting lost doesn't necessarily mean that deviations from the planned route are necessarily picked up when Lee's people take the final speedo readings.

I wasn't annoyed but like you, was a bit sad that some felt the need to literally cut corners. After all, the whole purpose of the GC is about personally challenging yourself both mentally and physically and no matter how many times you do it, finishing is never a certainty. Electing to withdraw from the ride for whatever reason IMHO takes a world more courage and these riders have my deepest respect.

[DougieNZ]

Electing to withdraw from the ride for whatever reason IMHO takes a world more courage and these riders have my deepest respect.

Totally AGREE!! Well done to ALL the riders that called it a night. A good call!

[Taz]

Yes interesting stuff. I have read a couple of interesting reports. Once again one mentioned a small number of bikes on an interesting road.

Last year I remembers seeing 3 bikes heading south on SH1 in the middle of the night when the route told them to go north and take SH10 afte the Kaitaia checkpoint.

A "genuine mistake"? Going south instead of north from Kaitaia?

I have my doubts.

I reckon there are a (very) few each year that don't follow the route (but still check in at all the checkpoints), and then "burn off" the k's on straighter roads so that their Odometer is still right on arrival. Then perhaps get back to Turangi and boast about their extra fast time...

As I said last year.... "You are only cheating yourselves!"

As far as I am concerned, if you don't exactly travel all of the route, then you shouldn't pick up your badge...

Comments?

Yes when we popped out from SH10 last year there were at least 10 motorcycles coming down SH1. And when we turned onto SH16 from wellsford a few went down SH1 from there. Doesn't bother me as I know I did the entire route and finished with a respectable genuine time along with two mates.

[Mystic13]

I'm with Anthrax, I did the whole route as it was my first time and was surprised to find bikes in front of me that hadn't passed me. They mentioned they bypass the tricky bits and a few of them do it.

So I guess the night before when we plan the route they plan the easiest route to get the right km's more or less and just make up any loss. This means they have time to stop for a coffee and a good rest on the run and then get in early.

I thought about it over the next 1000km's and decided that I'd rather do the route and if they want to just do the check points only then that's their call. I passed a fair few bikes as far North as Paihiatua heading South to Masterton while I was heading North. They could have been bikes that had gone into Porongahau and taken a wrong turn and ended up out on SH1 and decided not to go back in and find the turn and road they lost. Then again you have riders who do go back and then decide to bail because they won't make it in time.

I'm not sure how you change this and I guess it's up to the club if they have an issue. I guess you could say to riders we have placed between 1 and 5 extra secret checkpoints and you need to have those clicked as well. That way if it's even only one then guys won't know if they have them all or not without going down all the roads or checking in with riders that stop at checkpoints. I'm still not bothered by it because to be bothered would change my experience and I'd rather just enjoy myself.

I'll be back, I loved the event so much. I was 10th in, around 11.15am. Anthrax, I remember following you when you passed me on the Napier Taupo winding bit. Gee you were damned fast leaned over in the wet. I couldn't stay with you. I'm assuming you were the guy on the beemer with the friends on the tiger and vfr. I was on the F800 with the blue glow (and apparently bright brake lights). I also followed you at the beginning of the bit South of Waipukurau until my left leg cramped and I had to ride with my leg forward, motorcross style for a few km's.

Does anyone know how to stop the cramps by the way. It happened in my left leg three times. Each time at the beginning of winding sections.

[Hitcher]

As far as I am concerned, if you don't exactly travel all of the route, then you shouldn't pick up your badge...

Comments?

It's all about you versus the Rusty's route. The Rusty's can't be everywhere and they're limited about what and how much they should be expected to enforce to ensure compliance. Other riders shouldn't have to dob in any "non-conformers".

It's not a race. There are no prizes. Anybody who "cheats" knows that they have, and it's their face that they have to examine in the mirror each morning.

[Mystic13]

Yes interesting stuff. I have read a couple of interesting reports. Once again one mentioned a small number of bikes on an interesting road.

Last year I remembers seeing 3 bikes heading south on SH1 in the middle of the night when the route told them to go north and take SH10 afte the Kaitaia checkpoint.

A "genuine mistake"? Going south instead of north from Kaitaia?

I have my doubts.

I reckon there are a (very) few each year that don't follow the route (but still check in at all the checkpoints), and then "burn off" the k's on straighter roads so that their Odometer is still right on arrival. Then perhaps get back to Turangi and boast about their extra fast time...

As I said last year.... "You are only cheating yourselves!"

As far as I am concerned, if you don't exactly travel all of the route, then you shouldn't pick up your badge...

Comments?

I agree if you don't do the route you shouldn't get the badge but I have no idea how you stop that. I guess the only concern if more riders start to do it thinking, bugger this, why should I ride all the back roads when others don't.

The event is incredibly well organised though and I have to say I'm pretty impressed with what Lee and his team have put together.

What an amazing event.

[Lee Rusty]

A fantastic effort - guts and inovation to get you home - next time he will take 100mph tape to tape the torch to the headlight - it was to hard to ride holding torch in his hand and trying to light the way

gotta give the man credit for his determination. Well done

I'm pretty sure he made it round the entire route.

He said he filled up ten times - which sounds about right for a GN250.

[Lee Rusty]

if you are getting cramp - go vist your chemist and get some quinine pills that will stop it

lR

[Lee Rusty]

It's all about you versus the Rusty's route. The Rusty's can't be everywhere and they're limited about what and how much they should be expected to enforce to ensure compliance. Other riders shouldn't have to dob in any "non-conformers".

It's not a race. There are no prizes. Anybody who "cheats" knows that they have, and it's their face that they have to examine in the mirror each morning.

short of having transponders on the route and sensors on all the bikes to record their passing very little we can do.

We dont have to look at them in the mirror.

And when all said and done they do complete 1000 miles as well. Maybe a little easier, but if you allow for people covering extra when lost etc you could never "even it out" so it comes down to trust.

Those who follow the route and do it all the hard way know who they are and they know that they have our utmost respect.

[insomnia01]

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!

waipukurau - Porangahau - Masterton section was done in the dark & caught a few people out

Marvellous sight though of a freight train of @ 10-12 bikes weaving our way around them hills... it really looked like a snake made up of lights AWESOME

[Blackbird]

waipukurau - Porangahau - Masterton section was done in the dark & caught a few people out

Marvellous sight though of a freight train of @ 10-12 bikes weaving our way around them hills... it really looked like a snake made up of lights AWESOME

Well done Hami

Expect to see your write-up and photos soon. How were your wrists and arse??

[banditrider]

My write-up here: http://andrew.l.thomson.googlepages....grandchallenge