Rusty Nuts GC - Practice Rides

**XP@** · 16th August 2006, 12:33

Originally Posted by Hitcher

I've also got an option for "sealed-goat-track-in-the-dark" that could be added to your proposed route...

Last time I did it it was a "sealed sheep track in the dark" I thought about it... thought better, then thought well, it would avoid Ohakune. I still havn't worked out fuel use / range on a 1000miler pace so I am going to guess on a sub 300km range. Also need to get in to the quick stop mind set, so an additional stop ain't a bad thing.

This friday, or next friday. Next is probably a bit better.

1 Mana, Wanganui (fuel), Para-paras, fields track, waiouru, bulls (fuel), Mana
2 Mana, Wanganui (fuel), Para-paras, fields track, waiouru, bulls (fuel), sh2, Mana
3 Mana, Wanganui (fuel), Para-paras, fields track, waiouru, vinager hill, p.north (fuel), sh2, Mana

just been out and looked at the rear tyre, hmmm...

**Hitcher** · 16th August 2006, 13:42

For a 500km (approx) ride I had thought of:

Mana to Waiouru (gas stop)
Waiouru to Ohakune to Wanganui (gas stop)
Wanganui to Fordell to Hunterville
Hunterville to Cheltenham to Ashhurst to Woodville
Woodville to Masterton (gas stop) to home

Doing Fields Track in daylight is bad enough. I wouldn't relish doing it in the dark -- way too much wandering stock and I suspect it will have been knocked around by the recent rains.

**XP@** · 16th August 2006, 15:36

Originally Posted by Hitcher

For a 500km (approx) ride I had thought of:

Mana to Waiouru (gas stop)
Waiouru to Ohakune to Wanganui (gas stop)
Wanganui to Fordell to Hunterville
Hunterville to Cheltenham to Ashhurst to Woodville
Woodville to Masterton (gas stop) to home

Doing Fields Track in daylight is bad enough. I wouldn't relish doing it in the dark -- way too much wandering stock and I suspect it will have been knocked around by the recent rains.

Sounds like a reasonable ride.
I think you need to add at least one interesting road because there is invariably one scheduled at a silly time in the morning e.g. fields track at 3am, complete with dead sheep and washouts.

**Hitcher** · 16th August 2006, 15:47

Originally Posted by XP@

I think you need to add at least one interesting road because there is invariably one scheduled at a silly time in the morning

Wanganui - Fordell - Hunterville is an "interesting road" and should be particularly so at night.

**Zapf** · 16th August 2006, 23:16

Originally Posted by XP@

Deja Vu! See page 3.
The moon acts as a great big reflector and if there is a clear sky then the benefit of the reflection is reaped by way the increased ambiant light, thus improved visibility.

Yes... my point being that it won't be like that on GC. So might as well pratice with GC conditions.

**RiderInBlack** · 17th August 2006, 13:58

Originally Posted by Zapf

Yes... my point being that it won't be like that on GC. So might as well pratice with GC conditions.

Ya got it in one. That was my thought too. Lee does not set the GC to match the Full moon. It was just the luck of the draw last year. The year before was not full moon, and there was frequent rain and wind. So be prepared for anything.

**ajturbo** · 17th August 2006, 15:06

Originally Posted by XP@

Looks like an all nighter is out of the question this weekend, I need oto be semi sensible on sat and sun. That does not rule out a 500km ride starting at 8pm (ish) though ending at 1 to 1:30.

it has been a bit frosty up this way over the last couple of nights,
yesterday i did a 350+k ride and a LOT of corners were wet.
i have to be up and at work by 4am...
can you guys PM me if you are "doing it" with aprox meet times around foxton way?

**XP@** · 18th August 2006, 14:35

I can't ride tonight (woke up feeling like was Kicked in the left bollok), so if you go then enjoy it :-)
I may be a starter tomorrow night (same time same place)

**Hitcher** · 18th August 2006, 15:16

Next Friday, 25 August, depart Shell Mana at 8:00pm. "Pick-up" at Foxton BP at 9:15pm?

**XP@** · 21st August 2006, 13:53

I have a night pass for friday !!!

So, there ain't no stopping me!
I'll be wanting to be back for about 2am so about 500km's is about my limit (based on 80ish overall average) but I could prob go to 560 to make it a nice even 350 miles.