USA rally

[woodsguy]

http://rally.australianpropertycentre.net.au/?p=1783

4600 miles in 14 days, anyone heard of this adventure, in 2013 BTW.

[John Dirt]

The pdf file with the details is amazing.

pdf file full of epic win

I would like to hear Trailboss weigh in on this, the detail and planning is incredible.

It is expensive, but that adventure seems priceless.

[sm42]

If I were 20 or 30 years younger, I would jump on this. What a adventure.

Scott

[clutchless]

Wow maybe the DS world is getting some attention and growing here in the US

[Meriden]

Sounds like a great ride. Pondering the math. Allowing 14 days to ride 4600 miles is 330 miles a day if one rides every day. 380 if one allows a couple of days rest and that is limited to riding in the daylight. Four of us rode the East Texas 450 in one day last year and it took from 14-15 hours to cover that distance over what I would argue were some pretty easy roads and in good conditions. Part of that same group did a 400 mile gravel road loop just a couple of months ago with one stretch of 100 miles of pavement in about twelve hours.

Anyway, questions aside, I think this just might be on my calendar next year. Riding to Vegas during August may be a stretch temperature wise, but we'll see.

[woodsguy]

Originally Posted by Meriden

Sounds like a great ride. Pondering the math. Allowing 14 days to ride 4600 miles is 330 miles a day if one rides every day. 380 if one allows a couple of days rest and that is limited to riding in the daylight. Four of us rode the East Texas 450 in one day last year and it took from 14-15 hours to cover that distance over what I would argue were some pretty easy roads and in good conditions. Part of that same group did a 400 mile gravel road loop just a couple of months ago with one stretch of 100 miles of pavement in about twelve hours.

Anyway, questions aside, I think this just might be on my calendar next year. Riding to Vegas during August may be a stretch temperature wise, but we'll see.

That's pretty good insight and food for thought!

[SilverBullet]

I'd like to get the GPS tracks and ride it with a smaller group of 3-6 riders during a cooler time of year. Much better IMO.

_

[The Bruce]

Originally Posted by SilverBullet

I'd like to get the GPS tracks and ride it with a smaller group of 3-6 riders during a cooler time of year. Much better IMO.

_

+1

[MotoTex]

Fahrging A!! This looks like a very cool event.

Last year I rode about 4000 miles in ten days. The route used only secondary roads, avoiding multi-lane highways. The last part of the route turned into an adventure as the Ohio River valley was flooding and I encountered closed roads on my route as I made my way through four or five states and torrential rain for several consecutive days. At least two of my riding days exceeded 500 miles by a significant margin. Most days busted 400 miles. Two days were rest days with no riding. This looks to be on par with that experience, figuring in the dirt aspect and a few extra days it might even be a little easier than last year's ride, if the weather cooperates.

This gig being on dirt, and mostly in the desert Southwest/West, doing three hundred or so miles a day seems reasonable. The pace should be moderate (330 miles, 10 hour days, 33 average mph per day) I think we averaged about 45 mph on the EastTex 450.

Questions arise as to whether a KTM950 or DRZ400 would be more appropriate for this jaunt? Oddly enough the KTM doesn't meet the minimum distance between fuel stops requirement, without packing an extra fuel container.

Decisions, decisions . . . .

[Meriden]

Originally Posted by SilverBullet

I'd like to get the GPS tracks and ride it with a smaller group of 3-6 riders during a cooler time of year. Much better IMO.

_

You have to send them your GPS and they preload the route for you. Not sure I like that, but it is a lot of data. (Did you see the new Husky with the 58 HP Rotax 652?)

Originally Posted by MotoTex

Fahrging A!! This looks like a very cool event.

Questions arise as to whether a KTM950 or DRZ400 would be more appropriate for this jaunt? Oddly enough the KTM doesn't meet the minimum distance between fuel stops requirement, without packing an extra fuel container.

Decisions, decisions . . . .

Which one throws the least gravel? That's the one you need to take.


I may sign up when we get back from Barstow to Vegas and have a little better idea about the desert out there.

[MotoTex]

The estimated cost of $5000 per rider (including the entry fee) seems a little steep. As I recall from my ten day run, staying in motels six nights and eating out every day ran about $1500.00 total cost for the trip.

I realize the promoter has put a lot of effort into the event and will need to make a profit over their costs so the $1435.00 entry fee is understandable. Estimating another $3500+ for hotels, meals, tires, etc. over fourteen days may be a little excessive.

The literature plans for $60/night/rider for double occupancy and a $20 steak dinner every night. Figuring another $20 per day for brunch and/or lunch and $40 for fuel the daily total would be $140 ($1960 over 14 days). Overall total including entry fee is about $3400, so, they are estimating another $1600 for tires, parts, and incidentals along the way.

Is there another major cost unaccounted for?

This price tag alone makes Silver Bullet's idea look a lot more interesting. A handful of friends exploring and making a loop. Stop and go home whenever it feels right. We would have to come up with our own GPS route, t-shirt, and other commemorative regalia, but could probably do a similar adventure trip for two to three thousand dollars less cost per rider.

Just a thought.

Badges?!

We don't need no stinkin' badges!

[MotoTex]

Originally Posted by Meriden

Which one throws the least gravel? That's the one you need to take.

Still experiencing trauma from being behind the 950 on the EastTex?

[SilverBullet]

Might be the inflated cost estimate includes plane fare and bike shipping from overseas. The organizer for this event is planning to fill many 40 ft containers with bikes.

_

[MotoTex]

Originally Posted by SilverBullet

Might be the inflated cost estimate includes plane fare and bike shipping from overseas. The organizer for this event is planning to fill many 40 ft containers with bikes.

_

That seemed to explain it, then I re-read the Budget section and they indicate International riders should plan on $9500 for the event to cover their additional shipping, travel and such.

[The Bruce]

Originally Posted by MotoTex

Fahrging A!! This looks like a very cool event.

Questions arise as to whether a KTM950 or DRZ400 would be more appropriate for this jaunt? Oddly enough the KTM doesn't meet the minimum distance between fuel stops requirement, without packing an extra fuel container.

Decisions, decisions . . . .

I'd go with a DRZ. Unless you are a pro rally racer the heavy bike would be no fun in the sandy zones, and there will be sand areas on their route. A KTN 450 with additional rally tank could do it but you would have several maintenance nights. The DRZ could do the whole trip on a single oil change.