Event Title: 2009 Rusty Nuts Southern Cross
Event Author: banditrider
Calendar: Road Riding Events
Event Date: 23 March 2009 ends 28-March 09 (Ranged Event)

Yep, never to soon to start planning - got my leave booked already.

23/3/09 East Cape
24/3/09 Cape Egmont
25/3/09 Cape Reinga
28/3/09 Bluff

Great fun - number 3 for me!

Entry here: http://www.rustynuts.co.nz/default.aspx?PageID=40

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bah .. you're a tease !!!!!!

See ya there!

How many kms is it? And is it like the GC where you only have so long to complete each bit?

I just figured out that its easter weekend 21st-23rd right, and then im on mid-semester break until the 7th of april. So i could actually do this, i was gutted when i realised it was a mon-thursday thing.. cauz i figured there was no way i could take four days of uni cauz id have labs n stuff.. but .... oooo kool.....

Yep, checkpoints at each corner of the country. 24hrs between the 1st 3 checkpoints and then 3 days to get from Cape Reinga to Bluff (piece of cake). Checkpoint only open for 1 hour (between 12 and 1pm). A lot cruisier than the GC and you can take any route you want as long as you get to the checkpoints on time.

2005 5,560km total, includes touring around before/after
2007 6,296km total, includes touring around before/after

hmm... could be fun

It's very tempting....

And now you have the perfect bike for it!!!

And you get one of these:

Have read your blogs made about the rides. Sounds fantastic.
Lauren (Fa1r3d-MaYd3n) and i are very keen to do this...Will have to start saving now though.

I'm hoping we can do it

bahahaha getting the rusty nuts bug matt?

I sure am

I think it sounds like a bloody good one to do. Like Lauren-it fits in with Massey (I think) so that is all good.
I am sure me and the Buell will be there.

Yes indeed. Really the only factors will be time and money, but they're not insignificant. I will start giving it some serious thought.


Yeah, cool. Yeah, definitely thinking about it.

meanie is all over this. He is trying to get me to go but I dont know how well the money tree will be pruned by then

Youll be right, just borrow it or steal someone elses money tree

I am definitly a starter for this, been looking forward to it for two years after Bandit riders last write up on it

What makes you think you can afford to go after paying for 4 bikes to do the 4 points.

Yod.. Were we surposed to tell him yet or have I jumped the gun?

err...I...err

Go on. make it look like it was my idea.......

Yeah the cost is an issue - it's not cheap with bike services, tyres, ferry, accommodation and fuel. Nearly $600 in fuel alone for the 2007 event and petrol hasn't got cheaper. We go for cheap accommodation where possible (cabins) and budget on around 2k all up - but that's 2 weeks of great riding and a holiday either on the way to the start (if starting at Bluff) or on the way home (finishing in Bluff).

Looks like there could be a crowd from here - all good! It's great fun!

So you guys use cabins and not tents?

My tent has done 3 tours of the South Island and I've slept in it once! After 900km days it's nice to have at least a half decent squab to sleep on...

Ahhhh... k: good point...but would be cheaper in a tent....

Can sell you a good tent...

HAHA ...(I have been looking on TM to buy one too..... ) I am not sure what type to get..obviously has to pack down small, waterproof and light weight. What brand is yours?
I will have a chat sometime about `essentials' for these long rides as I am not sure what to take apart from hairdryer, microwave, electric blanket.....

Mine's actually not small (4 man jobbie - so fits 2 bikers and their gear). What's a hair dryer?

Actually been working on something: http://knol.google.com/k/andrew-thomson/lo...1kuc8mjxx9lte/2

Still a fair bit of work to do...

back packers??? $20 per night sounds pretty good to me

man you need like a "central" place for all your websites .. you're almost worse than me

It can get boring when you're not on a bike...

Yeah, been thinking about investing in one, I can see the sense in carrying one for something like the Southern Cross - cabins are a bit more comfortable etc, but just in case you get stuck somewhere it's good to have a tent strapped on the back for emergencies. How big does your one pack down to?

A hair dryer isn't really something I have much of a need for these days.


What you've got so far looks pretty good. I've given it a rating!

Cheers!

LOL!

Thanks Andrew that is a great help!!
Tent wise I am looking at a 1-2 person.
I have been watching the `long way down` on Nat' Geographic. Wouldn't it be good to have that sort of money backing your ride across the world!!

Mrs yod and I bought a good 3-man tent from kathmandu, packs down small enough to fit length ways across my ventura pack and probably about half fills it in terms of volume. Meanie got the same one too, good size, easy to put up, long enough for anyone up to about 6'4" ish i would guess, and also has one of those handy little foyer areas for keeping the rest of your kit outta the weather.

Hell yes - I'd be gone tommorrow!

I purposely got a bigger one so all the bike gear could go inside and it still be comfortable for two. It fits across the bike (well hasn't been on the Connie but was fine on my RF & Bandits) just like Yod describes - 2 bungies and she's as safe as houses.

Ground is still hard though...

Cheapest cabin I've stayed in was $15, dearest $50. Even stayed in a jail cell one night - not much room in there with 2 blokes and their gear...



Our cell is the lighted one and that little building had 3 rooms! Couldn't close the door until we got into our sleeping bags...

Nice work so far. Have you seen the new Nokia cellphone with GPS, camera, Mp3 etc. ? Less to carry.

Make a good Tui slogan that would

Time to start planning, now where's my entry form...

Found it: http://www.rustynuts.co.nz/default.aspx?PageID=40

you barely got home from the last one ya madman!

Well you know...

Actually it's quite funny, by the end of the GC you are generally riding very well - no noticeable effort or thought going into riding, it just happens. And then when I got back on the bike yesterday morning it just felt right and I was keen to just keep on trucking - great when you feel like that. Bum was not so keen though - I started feeling it at about 160kms as opposed to the 7 or 800km mark on the GC...

That being said, it is possible I need help...

Hi Guys and Girls
I have just come across this site and registered
You wil see from my name I am involved in the RNMC events as organiser and planner

If any one has any questions on any RNMC event drop me a line and I will do my best to answer your questions.

THis looks like it migh be a good site to belong to - but it was the firat time I had ever heard of it.

LeeR

Welcome Lee.

It's a nice place to chill out. Definately a few Rusty Nuts Here.

Hi Lee, looking forward to my first Southern cross next year.

Now that sounds a good idea but same trouble here, my money tree is looking sick , but if i can i'll get there

Beg, borrow or steal...

Our current route for the ride & return: http://andrew.l.thomson.googlepages.com/SouthernCross09.kmz