The New Zealand version of the Iron Butt 1000/24 hours

[Coro Kid]

I'm not sure whether I'm posting in the right place as strictly speaking, the event I'm doing in October isn't the Iron Butt, it's the New Zealand equivalent - the Rusty Nuts Grand Challenge.  I'm approaching 63 and haven't done a 1000-miler for 7 years.  My Blackbird of 8 years has recently been replaced with a Street Triple and I began to wonder whether I could still hack it in terms of both age and a smaller, naked bike. My entry has been accepted and the start time is 3pm on October 16th, which gives about 4 hours until dark.  There are no freeways as such in NZ and the organisers base most of the ride on twisty back-roads miles from anywhere.  If my write-up about the Grand Challenge and preparations is of any interest, click here: http://geoffjames.blogspot.com/2010/07/1000-miles-in-24-hours-part-1.html  and here: http://geoffjames.blogspot.com/2010/07/1000-miles-in-24-hours-part-2.html.

Looking forward to the challenge, even though it's going to hurt a lot!

Cheers,

Geoff

[Rincewind]

I wish you the best, Geoff!  I have done only 500-miles max/day with my Striple - 1000 would be a challenge, especially with the stock seat.

[Coro Kid]

Thanks Rincewind!  My best so far has been pretty similar to yours.  The stock seat was ok over that distance but it's going to be a problem over twice that distance so there'll be a fair bit of experimentation between now and then.  I don't really want to splash out on a custom seat like I had made for the Blackbird because the ride will likely be a one-off, so borrowing an Airhawk pad or changing the seat profile with taped-on bubblewrap are the most likely options.  It's still going to hurt though

[Playinthestreet]

Had to look up your location.  I spent 2-1/2 weeks riding the South Island in '02 and would find an Iron Butt equivalent tough to do.  Of course, as a foreigner, I was enthralled with the geography and didn't much care how many miles we made.

Good luck!

[FiremanBob]

Thanks for pointing me to my next vacation. All I need is for my client in Melbourne to call so I can claim the trip as a business expense.

[Rincewind]

Thanks Rincewind!  My best so far has been pretty similar to yours.  The stock seat was ok over that distance but it's going to be a problem over twice that distance so there'll be a fair bit of experimentation between now and then.  I don't really want to splash out on a custom seat like I had made for the Blackbird because the ride will likely be a one-off, so borrowing an Airhawk pad or changing the seat profile with taped-on bubblewrap are the most likely options.  It's still going to hurt though

I have tried raw sheepskin on one trip - it worked ok, though I only used it the first day and neverminded the rest.  Bike shorts helped the last day, but my upper legs had become irritated by then.  However, if you are going to be doing mostly backroads, like you said, and shift often in the seat, you may not hurt too bad.

Between the "sharp" edges and the forward-slope, the seat does have some comfort issues.  I know someone who had luck with a local seat-shaper and Butt-Buffer pad installer.  He was able to fix both issues but the pad is sitting right on the seat pan, which I wouldn't want.  In the end, I'll likely order the Sargent seat and be done with it.  

[Coro Kid]

Thanks for pointing me to my next vacation. All I need is for my client in Melbourne to call so I can claim the trip as a business expense.

Glad to help  .  Always room at our place

[Coro Kid]

Had to look up your location.  I spent 2-1/2 weeks riding the South Island in '02 and would find an Iron Butt equivalent tough to do.  Of course, as a foreigner, I was enthralled with the geography and didn't much care how many miles we made.

Good luck!

Glad you enjoyed it!  I was down there last in 2007 and if you'd like some photo and video memories, here's the link:  http://geoffjames.blogspot.com/2009/12/touring-nzs-south-island.html