I've been asked my opinions of The FarRides group rather than hyjack another thread i thought I'd put it here.

Quote from: Carrelli on January 02, 2012, 07:10:23 PM

Hi Scarp, could you perhaps, offer some info on far riders.
I viewed the site and it looks remarkably simarlar to this one.
I am just interested in rides that take in more than the local cafe.. no offence to those who enjoy this style of ride and kudos to those of you who do.
I do however, require more at times.
What I veiwed re the forthcoming 2012 ride left me a little ambivalent because there appears to be more politics than I require.

Just wondering

If you have the time and inclination to reply, it would be appreciated

@scarp - same here. PM me if it's easier and I'll catch up with you ;-)

Well FarRiders http://farriders.com/index.php as I know it (BTW ) make sure you spell it right or you'll be shouting the bar at thier next ride, was started by Davo Jones a fellow banana bender as yourself.
As it is the Aussie arm of the Iron Butt Association http://www.ironbutt.com/about/default.cfm it follows their rules somewhat
Basically there is usually a 500km ride to the event & 500kms back this is not set in concrete, tho what you must do to be considered a finisher is to complete 1000kms within a particular time frame. Which is posted on the FarRiders Website prior to the ride.
I was on the forum for 3 years before I went on my first FarRide I thought at the time that the rules were a bit picky however, as someone had said to me don't go on a FarRide if all your doing it for is to become a FarRider (& I thought that was the point)
I spoke to Davo at some length on this he encouraged me to go on my first ride
Yes they have rules & as they say if it's not for you then I guess don't go, but having met a lot of the guys over here they are a good bunch with a wealth of knowledge on long distance riding. If you like long distance rides & your own company coz this is not a group ride, then I encourage you to give it a go.
Any one else on the Forum have some input?

^^^^ agreed

Hi,

And I thought riding back from Karratha to Adelaide (4000kms +/-) in four days back in December 2007 was just normal. Farride, I don't think so....lol

I Finished work on the 20th December, left on the 21st and got back home Christmas eve. I wouldn't recommend any one to do that as I was totally buggard, well at least saddlesore.

On the 2nd Jan 2008 I left home for the return trip back to work at a more relaxed ride and took 6 days.
 
At least the good ol'  is one of the right bikes for that sort of trip.



Alan

Just in case you haven't clicked Scarps link above I have quoted a bit from it and added below (in blue); 

Can I explain it? not sure, but whatever my reasons are, it will be different for you.  Why do people jump out of planes, climb mountains, kayak down whitewater rivers, crawl around inside the earth, drive racing cars, ride their bike to the local coffee shop, ride horses over long distances and a whole myriad of other things that some of us just can't understand.......but the person doing it does.  Isn't that the point?

As a metaphor, just for me "maybe its about where I have been and where I am now going"

To me there is just a smidgen more to Long Distance Riding (LDR)  than just hopping onto your bike and riding off.  Sure, there are lots of riders who can do just that and arrive at their destination.  Me, well I like to add in a bit of planning..... where are the refueling locations and will they be open when I get there, what fuel do they have? do they take a plastic card or is it cash? does my bike have the capacity to make it to the next refueling point as I am now traveling at 110 and not 100 bugger I am now using more fuel, what about my own body clock when do I know that I will get tired (its actually around 2pm) so I can plan a 40min power nap, where are the locations that I can camp if I need to?  Have I made a safe riding plan, can I ride to it and complete the challenge I have given myself?  Haven't mentioned what I add to the bike or the equipment that I wear. This is just a snippet of what I do for a long distance ride.

You will notice I used "me, I, myself" a bit, well that is 'cause it is about me  :)

The use of the terms FarRider, FarRide,  hmmmm, how many times do you spell your own name incorrectly (rhetorical question) ?  Out of respect for the man, "Davo" Jones, (RIP) who established FarRiders, I will continue to attempt to spell it correctly.

From the website quoted by Scarp:
Why ride long distance?

There are many reasons why riders choose to ride long distances; if you need to ask then it's probably not for you. Talk to a FarRider one day and see the love of the road and riding that shines in their eyes.

Some years ago a friend asked our founder: "Davo, I am amazed. How do you get all these people to ride a 1000-kms-day just to have a meal?"
Davo replied: "Fact is I don't; they were always out there, I just give them a destination and they come. It's like that movie 'Field of Dreams' - if you build it they will come."

... as FarRiders say: "...it's just a road!"

Please note: We are not about speed-records! Our aim is purely at safe and consistent long distance riding! We will not accept "hoons" or "cowboys"!
End of Quote.

Sorry just to add something from the Iron Butt Association (IBA) regarding LDR:

"Please remember that Iron Butt Association is dedicated to the sport of safe, long-distance motorcycle riding. It does not condone nor will it tolerate unsafe activities such as excessive speed, reckless motorcycle operation, riding while fatigued or otherwise impaired, the use of stimulants to maintain alertness, or any other activity that results in riders exceeding their personal limits. Any rider found to have engaged in these or other unsafe activities, as determined in the sole discretion of the IBA, while participating in an event organized or sanctioned by the IBA, shall be subject to disqualification not only from that event but from future events. Such disqualification may occur retroactively if the unsafe activity is revealed after the conclusion of the event. For these purposes, the IBA will consider as an admission of violating this policy any public statements made by the participant that describe participation in unsafe activities during an organized or sanctioned IBA event."

Go for a ride, or go for a long ride.
Go by yourself, or hook up with some others.
Stop and have a feed, drink & speak to fellow riders (not on ST's  )
Go for another long ride.
No politics there brother, just the freedom to ride - or not.
Rules are rules and only for people who want to qualify for FarRider status.

What Rendog said pretty well sums it up.

A great ride. Company for an hour, then more riding.

Mantastic.

 

Terrydj, that is a good writup and I enjoyed reading it, as I have , the other posts to date.
It would seem you people are passionate about something that is close to my heart.... freedom, individuality, appreciation of what, who and where you are, and loving the fact that all of these things can be heightened when veiwed from the saddle of your bike...ANY bike!
I have been associated with a few forums over the past few months due to the various bikes that I am lucky enough to own, but none have given me the feeling of being "home", as much as this site,  i.e ST's and now, "distance riders".

I have read every thing to date that has been posted, and feel an empathy.
I particularly liked the reference to the fact that a long ride needs not be structured, because it is about the ride, companionship and common understanding.
Not the distance.

Most weekends, I am out there on one of my sport bikes, at times breaking the rules ( sometimes, several at the same time ).
I offer no apology to anyone for the way/way's I choose to ride.
Am I a bad person because of this?
No
I am a good person who sometimes breaks rules.
But never,  before I have considered the options/ risks/ consequences. I do what I do and take full responsibility for my actions.

Same with the distance rides I have enjoyed. There are roads that are best ridden within the posted limit.
And there are roads that are suited to more.

I have ridden with many different types of groups and as a consequence, now prefer to ride alone, or, with people very closely associated with my ride style and experience. It is so much safer....
Am I an habitual lawbreaker?
No, I am a rider that understands that always obeying the rules can sometimes get you dead very quickly

Anyway, I'm not sure that I have exspressed myself correctly or with pertinence to the ongoing topic but I will post and find out
I am Not attempting to flame Anyone by the way nor imply disagreement with anything previuosly posted. Quite the opposite.
However I do understand that my veiws might be in opposition to some, and I fully respect that.

I love riding, in fact I have just spent an hour and a half finding a way to secure two ducati 996 wheels to the ST for a trip to Brisbane tomorrow ( about 45 minutes!) , for new tyres.... I so do not want to drive 
I am 56 years old and have been riding since I was 16.

Be safe
Carrelli

Hey there Carrelli, I think you have just said how I feel as well. each to their own. If you choose to participate in things just fine, if not ust fine as well.  Some days you may feel like doing people stuff, other days just to yourself.  I know some will have opposite views to some things you have said, but they can.  You are 3 years older than me you old bugger!!

By the way, what I neglected to say, and this is a point very worthy of consideration, is :
I equipe my bikes with the best rubber that I can afford, and that rubber is fitted with the desired style of riding in mind.
For example, my st1100 is fitted with the latest avons.. and these suckers cost me more than a set of sport tyres!

And I wear good gear.

But above all else, I Never consider my tyres or gear as the first defense

Sounds about right to me  :)

I am now

Just done west 18 Broad Arrow Tavern 1145 kms

Well done.  Hope the weather was good?  Probably better than this weekends Tassie Farride.  Being the Tassie coordinator I can pick the dates and location just not the weather.  Look forward to seeing your number in the members list.

Well done also Gavo and nice to meet you on the ride

See you at the Border in August

Turtle