Roadrunner 1000 MCC

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Eamonn Townsend

Roadrunner 1000 MCC

Post by Eamonn Townsend »

"RoadRunner 1000 MCC" European Rally 26-28 September 2001
Joint the event and help FEMA!

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"Saddlesore ?
1,000 miles in 24 hours"
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If long distance riding is to your taste why not take part in the
Ireland based Roadrunner 1000 MCC's European Rally , 26-28 September, 2001? This way you can join an elite, international band of motorcyclists who have earned the title "World's Best Riders" by having a ride of 1,000 miles in 24 hours verified. And you get a nice "SaddleSore 1000" certificate to prove it!

The Roadrunner 1000 MCC is affiliated to the American-based "Iron Butt Association" (IBA) which regulates and authenticates long distance riding events. Last year (June 2000) the Roadrunner 1000 MCC organised the first ever long distance riding event in Ireland under IBA rules. Forty-six riders achieved in excess of 1,000 miles within 24 hours with a further 16 riders achieving in excess of 1,000 kilometres. Such long distance riding events are rare on this side of the Atlantic. In America, the home of long distance riding, enthusiasts were stunned at the club's achievement which, for a few months, held the world-record for the largest number of riders to complete 1,000 miles in a single event. The club hopes to regain the record, beating the current American record of 64 riders achieving over 1,000 miles.

The European Rally is being run in aid of FEMA, the organisation representing and promoting the interests of motorcyclists at the European level. By taking part in this event, you will both have a great time and do something to protect your rights as motorcyclist by supporting the work of FEMA.

Club Secretary John Wheeler commented that "last year our entrants showed themselves to be well-deserving of the title "world's toughest riders", they have also raised more for charity than previous long-distance riding events". He added "in 2001 we hope that many more riders from all over Europe will want to enter what will be truly memorable, once-in-a-lifetime experiences. And we'd like to beat our current fund raising record (£ 25,000) so as to give much needed help to FEMA.

The rally starts out from Bamberg, Germany. The "base line" route will be almost entirely on the German autobhan network where speed limits are rare, making a 1,000 miles in 24 hour achievement rather less daunting. Valuable bonus points can be earned by veering off the base line route into adjoining countries, collecting "proof", such as a timed and dated receipt, and re-joining the route. Countries within reach are Austria. Switzerland, Italy, the Czech Replublic, the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg.

Contrary to popular opinion long distance riding under Iron Butt rules is not road-racing or some sort of Cannonball Run. Indeed riders can lose points for going too fast or finishing too early. Entrants start out at intervals over a 4 hour period. Riders can choose from a variety of routes which include compulsory rest-breaks, and they can ride sections of the route in any direction. Off the main routes are a variety of "bonus locations", which riders can visit, and gain valuable additional points. The "winner" is not the first to finish or the fastest, but the rider who gains the most points. A considerable degree of careful planning, navigation and time-management is required to win enough points. Solving the equation of Time, Speed and Distance is the real challenge. The secret, rather than blasting flat out and running out of adrenaline after a few hours is, to "go slow, to go the distance". In last year's Irish rally the winner on the Handicap rode a 400cc machine and second place went to a 250cc machine much to the surprise of riders on much larger and faster machines.

The event starts with a Briefing Session on the eve of the event and concludes with a splendid Awards Dinner- everyone gets something -to which guests can be invited
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