Ok so what can you tell me about this rally, is it a race, is it fast, if you've done it tell me about it. http://rally.australianpropertycentre.net.au/?p=1572 http://www.australianpropertycentre.net.au/gallery_images/full_size_1_20120501165943.pdf
That looks like an awesome rally. Out of my price range and skill level at the moment but definitely something to strive for.
The 14 day APC rally is not a race either. It is a navigation rally that you get a medal if you complete the course. There is a prize for the slowest rider I think.
I am planning to do this ride in 2013. Start & end in Brisbane. Here is Homer going nuts on his 990: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LguDFrqjS74 I had some email correspondence with John last year & the gist of the conversation is that the guys that ride hard will often: a. Crash b. Break something on their bike c. A bit of both. My plan is to go steady each day, give myself plenty of time, and according to John, often ride past the guys that have pushed themselves or their bikes too hard... Well, that's the plan anyway
LOL I was looking at the 14 Day Rally and thinking, no way not yet. The 4 Day one looks very interesting. What does the entry fee pay for?
Found a video of the APC Rally, and who should I see? El Ponkin! and is that Lupine128 in there aswell? <iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/hS4NV3XNm-c" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="480" width="853"></iframe>
I think the $485 gets you the route, support, camaraderie & a taste of what the 14 day rally might be like. It's a good way to see if the 14 day one is for you. PM sent...
That was the first year of the APC in 2011, I crashed just 30km short of the end of day 1, wrote of the 990. In 2012 I did it again on a 690 and made it, we had perfect weather every day and couldn't have hoped for a better trip. You are at the mercy of the weather, if the weather turns bad it would be miserable. I found the 690 much more manageable for my skill level. You have to be a really good rider to get the big girls through the course particularly the mud and sand. Andy
I am hoping for good news about my busted leg at the 12 month review visit on Monday. If all is well I am planning to enter for the NSW event in February. I was hoping to do the 2012 APC 14 day event but I came a cropper in deep sand while trying out tyres. I will be riding a DRZ400 which is big enough to cruise all day at 100 KPH and yet small enough when it is tight going or I have to pick it up after a fall.
What I meant was that it is capable of going at 100 kph for long periods without stressing the bike. I will slow down for corners, but then again after years of riding 250cc machines, I try to carry as much corner speed as I can through turns.
I'm seriously thinking about it, have it marked on the calendar, any one know how late you can leave it to enter. Cheers Phil
I've done both 4 day and 14 day Both are good value for money and a great ride If your not sure, do more reading of some old posts or pm me for my number and I can tell you more
I did the 4 day last year, loved it!!! Had 0% offroad experience, learnt heaps, crashed heaps in the first 2 days as I learnt this whole knobby tyre offroad stuff. I used a new 660 XTZ Tenere. Damo helped me out plenty over the 4 days as I flew over windscreens, logs, shoulders dirt and rocks ... sometimes with and sometimes without a bike. Missed out on the 14 day one as I did the Mongol Rally and attempted to ride a Russian side car from London to Mongolia via Iran. But that's another tale woe! I truly recommend the 4 day rally, its not competitive, it is a challenge through amazing country and not impossible. If a total noob can do it then anyone can. Looking forward to doing some more APC stuff this year. I still have the tracks loaded in my GPS and sometimes do part of the route over a weekend. Cheers Edu