I might try this on my next ride.........

[Diesel]

I usually meticulously plan my rides down to the minute and metre....     

This works a treat if I am on a schedule.

But I'd really like to throw the plan in the bin one day and ride differently.

Imagine seeing a storm to the south, so head east or west for the day etc and see where you end up.       

For instance - something like - "well - I have to be in Forbes on Friday - I'll go the long way round."

This way I could stop for  cuppas on the side of the road - look down side streets in towns, visit more attractions and lookouts, and generally enjoy being on the road a little without the spectre of deadlines.

Might try this over Chrissie.

Cheers, Diesel

[saaz]

I have done major adjustments before on rides, but have still managed to get caught in heavy rain/storms/hails etc.  But I like to think that where I wnet was better than where I was going to go.  Just point the bike somewhere, work out roughly how long you have, then just ride :)

[Diesel]

Although I have Ferries to catch and things like that on my way to the 2nd National Meet (which means meeting timetables etc), I would like to take a little extra time to "meander" my way to Middleton (which includes the SMH down to Orbost and Wilson'r Prom and GOR.

Just wish I was retired or something like some members enjoy!

[saaz]

Closer to the event we should form a rough plan.  I have my favourite bits to do, just depends on doing them on the way there or back, and how much time (others have that is  )  I vaguely remember being constrained by work and such 

[Dick B "Yewie"]

I usually meticulously plan my rides down to the minute and metre....     

This works a treat if I am on a schedule.

But I'd really like to throw the plan in the bin one day and ride differently.

Imagine seeing a storm to the south, so head east or west for the day etc and see where you end up.       

For instance - something like - "well - I have to be in Forbes on Friday - I'll go the long way round."

This way I could stop for  cuppas on the side of the road - look down side streets in towns, visit more attractions and lookouts, and generally enjoy being on the road a little without the spectre of deadlines.

Might try this over Chrissie.

Cheers, Diesel

I could never figure you "FarRiders" out. Seems to me you meticulously plan to take all the fun out of touring (as distinct from just riding). This is the way we tour all the time !

Hey, I finally hit 100 posts. Now I am a BIG boy   

[Brock]

I work out roughly how far the target is, guesstimate the time needed to be there at a time, and launch. Thats why I was an hour early for coffee last sunday..

[Diesel]

lol. FarRiding is fun in that you have a reason to get to a destination, AND you get to fellowship with plenty of like-minded enthusiasts at the destination - much like OzSTOC RTEs.

Given the distances sometimes involved, and the lack of 'free time' that some lucky retired members get to enjoy ( ), a good travel plan is essential for this type of activity - if this is to your liking).

PLANNING: It is actually FUN to plan to be at certain points at certain times, achieve mini goals along the way and arrive 1,000km  away in a 30min check-in window. It is a nice past time to sit in front of a map of Oz and highlight places you'd like to go through on the way - I acknowledge this is not everyone's cup of tea, but nice for some.

All this said - annual leave travel is a different kettle of fish. This takes on a new meaning of 'visiting' places - like we did around Blackheath.

If you've seen any of my FarRide reports - you'll know the magnitude of adventure and fun they can bestow on a rider.

I reckon it'll be a helluva lotta fun to shelve the plans and just ride with no real destination or time frame type schedule keeping one in check.

Biggles' entries for quote of the day seem to exemplify this ethos in a fascinating and intriguing way too.

Hope this helps.

Cheers, Diesel

I work out roughly how far the target is, guesstimate the time needed to be there at a time, and launch. Thats why I was an hour early for coffee last sunday..

Now that's                         

[Streak]

PLANNING: It is actually FUN to plan to be at certain points at certain times, achieve mini goals along the way and arrive 1,000km  away in a 30min check-in window.

Ahem...... i believe we need to work on this you and i....

[Diesel]

 

I didn't say I get it right ALL the time......             

Brock... we may have to review this man's membership!             

[Streak]

I didn't say I get it right ALL the time......             

Brock... we may have to review this man's membership!             

no just review the batteries in your watch.......

[STRay (Roo Killer)]

lol. FarRiding is fun in that you have a reason to get to a destination, AND you get to fellowship with plenty of like-minded enthusiasts at the destination - much like OzSTOC RTEs.

Given the distances sometimes involved, and the lack of 'free time' that some lucky retired members get to enjoy ( ), a good travel plan is essential for this type of activity - if this is to your liking).

PLANNING: It is actually FUN to plan to be at certain points at certain times, achieve mini goals along the way and arrive 1,000km  away in a 30min check-in window. It is a nice past time to sit in front of a map of Oz and highlight places you'd like to go through on the way - I acknowledge this is not everyone's cup of tea, but nice for some.

Until you hit a 'roo less than 300k from the checkin! 

[saaz]

These things do happen Ray..I am sure we did miss you at Border Village..from what I remember...

[Biggles]

Ray wishes the roo had missed him too!   

[IanB]

gotta reply to that one abt planning by Diesel.
How many people use a spreadsheet to go for a ride, we all know one.
if your accom for an overnighter is booked and confirmed and it serves tucker and or you know what time local eateries close, does it really matter how you deviate to get there.
1000kms is only two batches of riding.
Last time I went on a far ride the dude I was travelling with was off the road by 7pm or so then sat around playing pool drinking and chatting till after midnight and got back on the bike at 4.30am  in 0 degree weather.
No complaints abt a great night but the early start was a bummer.
Warming up a bit so might just throw a swag down at one of the grey nomad spots on the next one.

[Brock]

Maybe I should plan the ride to the second. The last two I went on, I arrived an hour early and had to drink a coffee while waiting. I blame the freeway traffic for both occasions, I allowed for it but it wasnt there....

[ST2UP]

I tend to plan the ride.....and ride the plan, right up til I come across a coffee shop then.....SCREW the plan, drink Affogato until the buzz sets in.


It's All about the coffee really !!

 

[Biggles]

I tend to plan the ride.....and ride the plan, right up til I come across a coffee shop then.....SCREW the plan, drink Affogato until the buzz sets in.


It's All about the coffee really !!

 

Now I see why you ride.  I doubt the Guyra Cafe would know about Affogato.  That would be Armidale for a start...

[ST2UP]

Ahh Bill, not at all......their is a barista here in the true sense of the word at a very small coffee shop in the main street called Caffienes..... keeps Vanilla bean Ice cream here just for little old me, she has been in the Coffee game in Sydney for many years followed by a thriving coffee shop in Armidale where she trained Armidales best Baristas.....moved here to retire.....just couldn't get it out of her system.


Addimi's in Tamworth is the next best coffee in this part of the world.

Cheers

[jimwilly]

Every Feb.- March I go on a week long Smowy Mts run with some work mates. The only planning is about the general area we want to visit ie. Canberra one year last year it was superbikes at the Island, this year it was doing the Murray Valley Hway, through to Eden and around through to orbost GOR.
Apart from an approximate destination to spend the night we generally just loof at the map and the windiest raod gets the vote.The only time this has let me down was when I ended up doing the Bonang Hway after an already long day in the saddle.This was on my Honda Blackbird, I was exhausted by the end at Orbost.

[saaz]

The Bonang is something to do first thing in the day. Makes an 800km day seem more like 1200kms!

[IanB]

Went in a reread some of this thread.
Heading off with no idea of a location is awesome.
I left home one day and finished up in Inverell from Brisbane. then got rocketed when I got home cause I was a couple of hours late for the neighbors bbq.
but better than just a short ride out to Boonah or similar.

[Diesel]

gotta reply to that one abt planning by Diesel.

Last time I went on a far ride the dude I was travelling with was off the road by 7pm or so then sat around playing pool drinking and chatting till after midnight and got back on the bike at 4.30am  in 0 degree weather.
No complaints abt a great night but the early start was a bummer.

I agree with you here Beatup - only trouble is that Davo said to try and have at least a 500km ride to lunch. FarRiders set the check in time around 11.00-12.00 - so, allowing 7 hrs for 500kms to keep it easy, it requires waking at wee small hours such as 0315-0430 - depending on whether you are camping or hotelling it for the night.

Quote from FarRiders Website.... "The basic idea is that you attempt a minimum 500 km ride to the food and drinks and complete 1000kms for the day on your way home."

http://www.farriders.com/farriderte.php


So I guess there is a definite mixture of planned rides to a schedule, and rides with no plan.


I did this when I filmed the bats in the tunnel - was fandoogooly!       

[IanB]

I left Forest Lake at 8.30, went south, got to Glenn Innes and realised some friends were going to Inverell for the weekend so popped over to say hello then headed home after a cuppa and nosh. Back at the bbq @9.30pm.
Warning; Do not have a very large glass of red wine immediately - dehydrated and the red wine went straight to the little brain and for a while I couldn't walk.

[alans1100]

I agree with you here Beatup - only trouble is that Davo said to try and have at least a 500km ride to lunch. FarRiders set the check in time around 11.00-12.00 - so, allowing 7 hrs for 500kms to keep it easy, it requires waking at wee small hours such as 0315-0430 - depending on whether you are camping or hotelling it for the night.

Quote from FarRiders Website.... "The basic idea is that you attempt a minimum 500 km ride to the food and drinks and complete 1000kms for the day on your way home."

http://www.farriders.com/farriderte.php


So I guess there is a definite mixture of planned rides to a schedule, and rides with no plan.


I did this when I filmed the bats in the tunnel - was fandoogooly!       

I'd prefer to start the day before but within 24 hours from check in. It's easier for me to ride in the afternoon and evening than wake up at 3 am or 4 am (impossible for me). Sunrise is ok.

So apart from the border ride (1000 k's from here) if I was to think about any of these rides then I'd be looking at about 700 kms the day before and 300kms in the morning.  Then a leisurely trip back home.