LinkBack URL
About LinkBacks
Once a year in a land far far away a group of hardcore bikers gather for a weekend of pain and perseverance.
A campsite in a small town in the middle of the north island of new zealand becomes the centre of operation for the Rusty Nuts 1000 mile grand challenge.
Riders come from all over and on all kinds of bikes to take part in one of the hardest rides on the planet.
On friday night the route is posted on the wall.
On saturday afternoon you set off to the first and subsequent checkpoints.
On sunday you get back to camp and drink a well earned beer.
Simple? well not really... the route is never that easy. There are no motorways here!
This year I had practiced with a couple of long rides, 500km's and 1000km's. Pre-ride estimate 19 hours...
Briefing at 2pm, kitted up at 3pm and the first riders get going I am on the road at 3:21pm.
An hour in to the ride and I have been passing a few other bikes, including the first casualty a Ducati Multi-strada with a mashed front end, rider walking, so continued with full noise, this was first of three to fall by the wayside in the first 200km's! At the first stop, a quick time check, many riders were parked up and wandering about... bugger that i thought, so I gave my number and continued on, following a group who's navigation was none to hot... 5 mins in I was just getting in to the gravel when a group of sports bikes came the other way saying wrong way.
From then I remembered my ride plan was "Ride your own Ride". No more sheep for me. I played with a Tenere until I lost him when his indecision left him at a junction. off the goat tracks and back on the main road. Petrol needed soon so I joined the que at the tiny petrol station in the middle of nowhere. Tank full again I started to reel in the sprots bikes. An awsome gorge gave plenty of opportunity to make up some ground.
By the time we hit the first checkpoint it was dark, but I was on fire and didn't need any encouragement to get back on and ride after filling up and signing in. Soon after came a small excursion into some back country roads. It was here I where I really discovered the Transalp has a lot of trouble keeping up with the liter + sports bikes I was riding with at the time (Hayabusa, fireblade, blackbird, tl1000 etc). At first I thought it may be something to do with them having about 150hp more than me, but no, it turns out I was dropping speed in the left handers because my beam pattern on low beam appears to be pointing the wrong way, more on the right than on the left.
Next checkpoint, more fuel and the guy from the Honda shop riding with his ipod, brand new racing leathers and brand new fireblade is sitting, looking dejected because he cooked his tyres and they had gone all bubbly, and that less than halfway in to the ride.
Another twisty section followed then some highway stuff, but not too muchSome stopped for fuel before the next goat track, one of my play grounds >
125Km's of unmarked tight road in very poor condition, strewn with half completed roadworks, branches, pine cones, wild life (dead and alive), farm life and a packet of wet weather gear (I didn't see this because it fell off the back of my bike ooops).
If that wasn't enough there was a good 15 mins with gale force winds... and did I say it was dark and cloudy?
Next Checkpoint Fuel and off to the next point 350km's away so I need a stop inbetween.
This called for a bit of fun with a rider on a triumph speed triple, awsome rider, respect! But not for long because he turned back when he forgot his gloves at the fuel stop. Feeling tired by the time the next checkpoint rolled in to view. Enough of the water and museli bars, Coffee time!
Very slow to the last checkpoint sleep calling at my door every mile of the way, visor opened pinpricks of mist on my face, the world begins to hit the surreal. The flies gather on my visor and glasses, morning is coming. After an hour the second wind comes in and the speed picks up, happy place again! And this just in time to see my first cop, I saw him he didn't see me
Last checkpoint, sun is shining, time to ride to the line!
A subaru legacy kindly checked the road ahead for cops so I used his speed made good time.
Home in 19hours 10 mins.
And what did I learn?
The Transalp is AWSOME!
For more info on The Rusty Nuts Club and rides visit http://www.rustynuts.co.nz/
I do have pics, but seem not to be able to upload them
Reply With Quote
Originally Posted by Dee Duble Yuh
Bookmarks