NATIONAL OZSTOC RALLY 2013 15-17th of MARCH

[Tipsy]

  py

Well towbar on (not needed  )
Spot lights fitted
Spare Battery fitted and connected
Stereo and speakers fitted (Damn they can get loud)
95% packed (just toiletries and laptop to pack)
leaving around 6-6.30 Sunday & Overnight @ Narrabri,

Tipsy

c'mon Sunday down to counting the minutes,,,,,,,

[BigTed]

And there off!.... about to jump on and head on to Middleton hugging the south coast. First stop - Pemberton. I call this "Rob's Big U-Turn".

I look forward to seeing you all there. Good luck to all, enjoy the rides, and stay safe!

[Cerebral Knievel]

Some caravan owners rent out their vans at Middleton.
However, the Park won't know until they talk to the owners on the weekend.
If this fails I'll find a motel or pub in the one of the surrounding villages.

Lionel, i have a 2 level , 3 bedroom cottage next to the bakery & across the road from the pub if this helps..... 
I know it's out the way in a really inconvenient spot , but it may get you out of trouble 

[Turtle]

Ride safe Rob you lucky bugger going today 

[Diesel]

Fare well men!                

WELL.... I've just put the STead back together after installing the quartet harness to power up the powerlet. Pulled all the Tupperware off the left side....? And I gotta tell ya........bugger that... Never again.. OMG .. WHat a pain in the ars!

...
Sab

I hear ya mate - I always have to go to Bunnings or Repco TWICE - second time to the the CORRECT SIZE and return the first item I was CERTAIN fitted!       


Tuppaware gets easier with each time you do it - but your little clips get closer to needing replacement each time too.

[Streak]

Well my checklist to complete by Sunday Night

this is what i have so far...

Ride Plan Sorted                      Done!
New Tyres                                Done!
Pre Pack of Bike                       Done!
Rally Shirts Boxed Up                Done!
Trophies Picked Up                   Done!
OzSTOC Merch Packed               Done!
Courier All of the above to SA    Done!
New Helmet & Jacket for Teela Done!
Jeans sorted from NEDS           Done!
All Weather Cover for iPhone   Done!
Brake Pads Packed                   Done!
Double checked all Accom         Done!
Double checked Attending list  Done!
Finish Packing the Bike



Get on Bike Monday and get the hell out of dodge......Waiting patiently....

[saaz]

Lionel is currently in transit to Brisbane, but would like to put his hand up for a room (he will confirm all the details when he is back on line).  If it was a room that did not need stairs to climb up to, even better due to the dodgy knees!

Some caravan owners rent out their vans at Middleton.
However, the Park won't know until they talk to the owners on the weekend.
If this fails I'll find a motel or pub in the one of the surrounding villages.

Lionel, i have a 2 level , 3 bedroom cottage next to the bakery & across the road from the pub if this helps..... 
I know it's out the way in a really inconvenient spot , but it may get you out of trouble 

[saaz]

And of course make sure that all the Ozstoc flags get to Middleton    I will bring what I have in terms of hats, mugs and stubbie coolers unless you think you have enough.

Well my checklist to complete by Sunday Night

this is what i have so far...

Ride Plan Sorted                      Done!
New Tyres                                Done!
Pre Pack of Bike                       Done!
Rally Shirts Boxed Up                Done!
Trophies Picked Up                   Done!
OzSTOC Merch Packed               Done!
Courier All of the above to SA    Done!
New Helmet & Jacket for Teela Done!
Jeans sorted from NEDS           Done!
All Weather Cover for iPhone   Done!
Brake Pads Packed                   Done!
Double checked all Accom         Done!
Double checked Attending list  Done!
Finish Packing the Bike



Get on Bike Monday and get the hell out of dodge......Waiting patiently....

[Streak]

And of course make sure that all the Ozstoc flags get to Middleton    I will bring what I have in terms of hats, mugs and stubbie coolers unless you think you have enough.

All good mate, i have everything sorted, i think i will have enough.

as for the flags, the bearers know who they are.....and better have them on board, or well, actually i don't know what we can threaten them with....

[saaz]

I think I have final plan (subject to any chnages on the way!)

Leaving Canberra from the 7-11 Canberra avenue at 9 am travelling with Sarge down to Lakes Entrance. Either eat at lakes Entrance or go on the Bruthen depending on the time.  Up to Omeo and either take the Great Alpine Way to bright, or take the Omeo Highway to Mt Beauty to Bright, or go through to Tallangatta and back down to bright. All depends on the time and what I feel like (as I will be coming back the next day over the Great Alpine Way may do something different, but the road from Omeo to bright is great..hmmm...).

Meeting Diesel at Wandilligong pub for the night then follow the Diesel route to Cowes, Mt Gambier and Middleton as the overnight stops.

Bike needs to be packed, new helmet have the coms installed, but that won't take long.  Bike works, just needs petrol.  I have laminated the Middleton information and attendance list, as well as the Diesel travel plan.

I just went and bought the latest HEMA motorcycle atlas prepared by the Bear. Come in two books now (maps and best rides) as well as a wall map of Australia.  HEMA also does a Australia Handy Atlas which is similar to the motorcycle atlas, which I find handy in the car to do trip planning regardless of the GPS.

Interestingly, when I checked a few places, the car version has a bit more detail on places (ie the bike one is lacking some place names) perhaps due to the recommended bike routes being on the maps?

[StinkyPete]

........................then follow the Diesel route to Cowes, Mt Gambier and Middleton as the overnight stops.

If you are coming up from Mt Gambier, I suggest that you cross the Ferry at Wellington, just south of Tailem Bend, and head to Middleton from there.  It will cut out some highway work and put you on some nice back roads.  See  http://goo.gl/maps/M663U   The ferry is free and operates 24 hours.
Safe Journey.....
Pete

[Streak]

Hi Ho, hi Ho, a packing we go...





How is everyone else going?

[ST2UP]

Is that a waterproof pillow ??? Or you don't mind sleeping with a soggy head !!!

[Streak]

Ah well if it looks like rain I can cover it all, simple enough  only doing 500km a day so no rush at all

[STRay (Roo Killer)]

Nice one Ray - just in the nick of time mate!     

How prophetic!

After booking the bike in and ordering the tyres over a month ago ( and getting confirmation of availability ) I got a phone call this morning.  No Bridgestone BT023's in a 160/70-17 left in the country!!! OK, lets try Dunlop ( yuk ), I think they have one in that size. Same response, nothing in that size either  , But he could get me the rear in the Avon but not the front!. Didn't want to risk the Avon's again ,  so what about the Michelin PR3's with a 170/60-17 rear? Half an hour later, yep no worries can have them for tomorrow. 

So now I have to try and figure how to carry some extra fuel as I don't know what my range will be now with the extra revs, and I was going to be stretching it on a couple of overnight legs on original size tyres!.

After that all I have to do after the tyres is an oil and filter change and pack ready for an early afternoon departure on Tuesday.

My plan is also to head south, then east with a sleep stop somewhere near Port Augusta. All depends how I feel on the day.

 

[Brock]

Ray, if you sit on 110 Ks, you should get about 464Ks to the reserve light, and 565 to empty. I have the same rear tyre, and a 110/80 18 on the front. Speedo is accurate. Mileage figures are from the run to Augusta. If you are loaded, the range may drop slightly. Have fun

[saaz]

I have not found any difference between the 160/70 and 170/60 rears in terms of fuel economy (or handling or tyre life for that matter). Only about a needles width difference in revs.  Head winds, load, heavy throttle hand make more difference.  Make the same plans as you would have for the OEM sized tyres, as any range will be just as marginal.

Nice one Ray - just in the nick of time mate!     

How prophetic!

After booking the bike in and ordering the tyres over a month ago ( and getting confirmation of availability ) I got a phone call this morning.  No Bridgestone BT023's in a 160/70-17 left in the country!!! OK, lets try Dunlop ( yuk ), I think they have one in that size. Same response, nothing in that size either  , But he could get me the rear in the Avon but not the front!. Didn't want to risk the Avon's again ,  so what about the Michelin PR3's with a 170/60-17 rear? Half an hour later, yep no worries can have them for tomorrow. 

So now I have to try and figure how to carry some extra fuel as I don't know what my range will be now with the extra revs, and I was going to be stretching it on a couple of overnight legs on original size tyres!.

After that all I have to do after the tyres is an oil and filter change and pack ready for an early afternoon departure on Tuesday.

My plan is also to head south, then east with a sleep stop somewhere near Port Augusta. All depends how I feel on the day.

 

[saaz]

Except if you hit adverse conditions.  On mine I would not count on a 500km range except if things were really good (ie the fuel gauge moved to the right spots to indicate I was getting around 20kpl).  Last Border run I just made it to 350kms on a full tank due to head winds and road conditions, the other ST11 I was with ran out so I had to make a dash for a fuel can.

Ray, if you sit on 110 Ks, you should get about 464Ks to the reserve light, and 565 to empty. I have the same rear tyre, and a 110/80 18 on the front. Speedo is accurate. Mileage figures are from the run to Augusta. If you are loaded, the range may drop slightly. Have fun

[Brock]

Using one of my many spread sheets shows an extra 100RPM at 100Ks for the tyre change, nothing really.

The range readings were for a good day to travel, as you well know Ray, At least it gives you an idea of range in good conditions, you know how your bike runs so you can make allowances for the weather.

[STRay (Roo Killer)]

Yep, twas a good day for a ride!

Fortunately most of my "long stretches" will be at night where I will probably have to drop my speed a bit anyway due to my furry friends. I have 3 legs on this run between 480-500k ( due to no fuel stations being open ), so I hope I don't get strong headwinds! Using the cruise control also helps a bit.

The calculator I used for the differnce in the tyre sizes shows a 3% difference in the tyre sizes, hopefully not a 3% increase in fuel consumption!!

[Brock]

The RPM increase is a calculated 3% rise, but that doesnt mean a corresponding fuel usage rise. My fuel usage records show no noticeable change in range / fuel usage, so its only conditions on the day and load you need to worry about.

[STRay (Roo Killer)]

Ray, if you sit on 110 Ks, you should get about 464Ks to the reserve light, and 565 to empty. I have the same rear tyre, and a 110/80 18 on the front. Speedo is accurate. Mileage figures are from the run to Augusta. If you are loaded, the range may drop slightly. Have fun

I use my GPS for distance calculations, much more accurate than the odometer and best I have got is 525k and according to the bowser I put in just over 25Ltr's. My front is the 120/70 which I find is also quite accurate for some speeds on my speedo! Most of the time 110 on the GPS gives me about 115 - 117 on the speedo and the Odometer will probably show about 200k more than the GPS by the time I get to Middleton! The Japanese bikes are well known for overreading on the speed and ODO!

[Brock]

Not the white ones...

[saaz]

Interesting, as on the police models the speedo is basically spot on in terms of distance traveled (civilian models use the same speedo drive etc so should be as good?). Speed wise it is within a needles width of being accurate, but mine was never used by the police and so was not checked, adjusted and confirmed to be accurate.   I have compared it to those roadside test 5km sections, and it always agrees with all those distance to next town signs.

If in doubt, carrying a 2 litre container of fuel saves walking!

Ray, if you sit on 110 Ks, you should get about 464Ks to the reserve light, and 565 to empty. I have the same rear tyre, and a 110/80 18 on the front. Speedo is accurate. Mileage figures are from the run to Augusta. If you are loaded, the range may drop slightly. Have fun

I use my GPS for distance calculations, much more accurate than the odometer and best I have got is 525k and according to the bowser I put in just over 25Ltr's. My front is the 120/70 which I find is also quite accurate for some speeds on my speedo! Most of the time 110 on the GPS gives me about 115 - 117 on the speedo and the Odometer will probably show about 200k more than the GPS by the time I get to Middleton! The Japanese bikes are well known for overreading on the speed and ODO!

[Sabie]

Ray, try the Pirelli ST Angels, I have them and I love them. Better than the bridgestones.

Worth a try to get the size you want