Author Topic: National OzSTOC Rally 2014 Ballarat VIC 21st to 23rd March (Read 347594 times)

I'm trying to work out if I can make it financially & timewise. Its a 6000km round trip on a direct route, so not sure i'd go doing it in just under two weeks that I can get off for it...

Biggles · « **Reply #184 on:** September 16, 2013, 06:44:31 PM »

Quote from: Me_3 on September 16, 2013, 06:33:59 PM

I'm trying to work out if I can make it financially & timewise. Its a 6000km round trip on a direct route, so not sure i'd go doing it in just under two weeks that I can get off for it...

Two weeks is adequate to do it. 500 kays per day is going easy. Why not set yourself a day ride next weekend to go out on a 500 kay loop. That's what I did when I decided to try out for the FarRider thing. If that goes well, do a 700 kay day. Then you'll know your limits. Book cabins in caravan parks if you don't like camping. You'll never regret meeting the challenge. Or meeting this motley crew.

alans1100 · « **Reply #185 on:** September 16, 2013, 07:23:46 PM »

Quote from: Biggles on September 16, 2013, 06:44:31 PM

Quote from: Me_3 on September 16, 2013, 06:33:59 PM
I'm trying to work out if I can make it financially & timewise. Its a 6000km round trip on a direct route, so not sure i'd go doing it in just under two weeks that I can get off for it...

Two weeks is adequate to do it. 500 kays per day is going easy. Why not set yourself a day ride next weekend to go out on a 500 kay loop. That's what I did when I decided to try out for the FarRider thing. If that goes well, do a 700 kay day. Then you'll know your limits. Book cabins in caravan parks if you don't like camping. You'll never regret meeting the challenge. Or meeting this motley crew.

Biggles, you just got in before me.

I was going to suggest aiming for at least 600 km riding day which gives about 10 days of riding for the return trip plus 4 days in hand for the rally etc. As Biggles suggested do a few day or a weekend trips and see how you go if you're not used to the longer rides.

Me_3 · « **Reply #186 on:** September 16, 2013, 08:01:14 PM »

Quote from: alans1100 on September 16, 2013, 07:23:46 PM

Quote from: Biggles on September 16, 2013, 06:44:31 PM
Quote from: Me_3 on September 16, 2013, 06:33:59 PM
I'm trying to work out if I can make it financially & timewise. Its a 6000km round trip on a direct route, so not sure i'd go doing it in just under two weeks that I can get off for it...

Two weeks is adequate to do it. 500 kays per day is going easy. Why not set yourself a day ride next weekend to go out on a 500 kay loop. That's what I did when I decided to try out for the FarRider thing. If that goes well, do a 700 kay day. Then you'll know your limits. Book cabins in caravan parks if you don't like camping. You'll never regret meeting the challenge. Or meeting this motley crew.

Biggles, you just got in before me.

I was going to suggest aiming for at least 600 km riding day which gives about 10 days of riding for the return trip plus 4 days in hand for the rally etc. As Biggles suggested do a few day or a weekend trips and see how you go if you're not used to the longer rides.

I would have to leave on the Monday morning before, and be back on the friday afternoon after unless I can pull some miracles, so it would be long days of 800km each day.. Also depends if I can afford the accomodation & fuel for the trip... I'll have to decide closer to the date..

Sabie · « **Reply #187 on:** September 16, 2013, 08:42:09 PM »

Hi Me_3, there's 2 bikes going down from Townsville, but we're leaving on the 10th and making a holiday of it.

I did the Middleton run in March, I left Townsville on the Sunday and arrived Middleton on the Thursday before the rally.

From Atherton it's quite achievable and comfortable run, I didn't have to push it, I set out each morning around 8:30 ish stopped for breakfast, lunch afternoon break and pulled up between 4 and 5 each day.

Most times I booked into a motel most were around $85 to $95, the cheapest was $75 and the dearest was $120. If you look at caravan parks for cabins or cheaper B&B's or even taking a tent for the cheaper alternative.

If you are able to get sufficient time off your more than welcome to travel with us. It'll be me on the Blue ST and Jim and Laurel on the black Honda Fury (remember from the Tully Heads Ride).

If you need any help with preparation for the trip to the rally I can message you about what I packed and how I set up the bike.

Cheers, hope it all works out for you.

Sabie

Biggles · « **Reply #188 on:** September 16, 2013, 08:49:37 PM »

Can't advise regarding the cost except to set up a fund and kick in $50 every week from now on.
I don't know the Mitchell Highway, but it's 200 kays shorter than the Gregory Hwy.
If you are up for 800 kays, get out of bed at 4:00 on the Monday and do the 860 to Clermont. You should get there around 3:30 if you don't take too long refuelling and lunching. Then 3 1/2 days of 600 kays gets you into Ballarat early Friday afternoon. Leave Sunday after morning tea gives you 5 1/2 days to get home which is a bit more casual at 550 kays per day.
No denying it's a lot of riding day after day. Get in touch with Sabie in Townsville for more advice since he did the run to S.A.

Just as I was about to post I see Sabie popped up with more encouragement, so from here on you just need to save up.

That's what comes of studying maps while writing the essay.

alans1100 · « **Reply #189 on:** September 16, 2013, 09:42:50 PM »

I suppose I better start looking at this for my own trip over. It'll be an overnighter on the way over so just need to find a good free camping spot.

WendyL · « **Reply #190 on:** September 16, 2013, 09:55:52 PM »

I have to be in Melbourne the weekend before, so would have had to take nearly 3 weeks off work, hence the fly and hire option. When I was planning to ride, I was looking at 4 days there, 5-6 days back, visiting friends and family in SA on the way. 800km is an easy day on an ST

Sabie · « **Reply #191 on:** September 16, 2013, 10:04:36 PM »

Actually there'll be 3 bikes, oops, forgot to include Mrs Sabie

... And just paid $600 to get her bike modified for the trip how could I forget.....

Apparently fuel problem for the Fury has been resolved. Jim is installing a side car to it with a fuel reserve. It should be in the shop now being put together.

STRay (Roo Killer) · « **Reply #192 on:** September 16, 2013, 10:23:21 PM »

Well I guess I don't have to give you guys any clues to my plans from Perth

Turtle · « **Reply #193 on:** September 16, 2013, 10:51:33 PM »

Oh bloody hell looking for Ray again out front of a motel late at night

in South Australia

Sabie · « **Reply #194 on:** September 16, 2013, 11:41:07 PM »

Nah Turtle, he's got a new STeed now, it'll come with a pop out some thingy do dah....

saaz · « **Reply #195 on:** September 17, 2013, 12:02:54 AM »

Best ask Malcolm what pops off an ST13 when you hit a roo

Sabie · « **Reply #196 on:** September 17, 2013, 12:58:58 AM »

At a guess Saaz, I'd say everything....

Me_3 · « **Reply #197 on:** September 18, 2013, 07:10:44 PM »

Quote from: Sabie on September 16, 2013, 10:04:36 PM

Actually there'll be 3 bikes, oops, forgot to include Mrs Sabie ... And just paid $600 to get her bike modified for the trip how could I forget.....

Apparently fuel problem for the Fury has been resolved. Jim is installing a side car to it with a fuel reserve. It should be in the shop now being put together.

I'd love to tag along with you guys, but I have my dates set in concrete as I have my kids on the weekend before, and after the weekend of the rally, and I have to be here for those ones (An ex who isn't at all helpful regarding flexibility, so I just don't want to even go there). So I would be heading off on the 17th, and have to be home by 4:30 on the 28th (Might be able to make it the 29th as dad would be willing to have the kids overnight)

I'll get my tax return done in the next week or two, so as long as I get what i'm expecting back, i'll put some money aside and do the run.. The mustang project will wait :-)

The bike should be fine, just need a GPS & mount, and a top-box.. I have a brand new set of tyres that will be fitted sometime before I head off if the current rate-of-usage continues.

Hoping I can make this run... It would be great fun once I got over the numb-bum :-)

Sabie · « **Reply #198 on:** September 18, 2013, 10:20:55 PM »

No problem Me_3, and I understand about ex's and such, however, I thought it may of been rude of me not to extend an invitation since you're "just up the road" so to speak.

I hope all works out and we see you in Ballarat.

Cheers

Sabie

Me_3 · « **Reply #199 on:** September 19, 2013, 07:12:03 PM »

Quote from: Sabie on September 18, 2013, 10:20:55 PM

No problem Me_3, and I understand about ex's and such, however, I thought it may of been rude of me not to extend an invitation since you're "just up the road" so to speak.

I hope all works out and we see you in Ballarat.

I appreciate the invite :-)
Its looking like I might make it, a few details to sort out but its a good possibility... I'm planning a 1000km test run soon, to make sure I can handle that long in one go, then all going well book my accommodation soon :)

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Author Topic: National OzSTOC Rally 2014 Ballarat VIC 21st to 23rd March (Read 347594 times)

Turtle