National Bike Rally.

[DefTrap]

Mused about doing these in my 20s as I was a proper rufty tufty biker and masochist

These days I'm more likely to do one of the numerous Marathon du Vin they have over here,

[Skub]

Seems such a strange and alien concept to me, so nope.

Sounds like hell on wheels. There's nothing in that masochistic concept that would be even vaguely pleasurable,or tempting.

Genuinely interested to know why you think that. These are daytime, not overnight, events, btw.

I like to ride when I want to ride. I choose the time and weather. I choose the route,if there even is one,sometimes I just meander. I absolutely want no instructions,nor need to check in with some random. It's akin to someone setting you a test,or an exam needing to be passed. Maybe it smells slightly of all the badged up IAM members (ha) doing things the 'right' way,I dunno.

In short,most of it is a polar opposite to what I want from biking. You couldn't pay me to participate in self flagellating events like the elephant rally and others. 100% not my thing.

[mangocrazy]

I'm with Skub. Can't think of anything more soul-destroying.

It's similar to an FB 'event' I've been invited to - join a Photographic club group as they explore the architecture of Sheffield (wnat's left of it). For me photography is a personal thing - go out with the cameras and see what can be seen, explore little byways and less-trodden paths and immerse myself in it. Galumphing around with a bunch of self-important pricks is as far away from how I view photography as is possible.

[Dickyboy]

Seems such a strange and alien concept to me, so nope.

Sounds like hell on wheels. There's nothing in that masochistic concept that would be even vaguely pleasurable,or tempting.

Genuinely interested to know why you think that. These are daytime, not overnight, events, btw.

Think I'm a bit like Skub & like to ride when & where I want to, I've done a few masochistic events (mainly walking, cycling & running) but I much prefer getting off the beaten track & doing my own thing, I also wonder about the sense of getting people to overstretch themselves riding more than they usually do, against the clock & when tired, seems like a recipe for disaster that I'd not like to be a part of on public roads.

[The Spin Doctor]

When did the overnight version end?

I thought there were two options, with one starting at 2pm and going on through until 6am. With the special tests after.

I think the last night rally Welsh version was the year which I kind-of won (I was officially placed second because my 600 Hornet was 6 months younger than the 1000 Suzuki ridden by the rider I had otherwise tied with). There was a fatal crash involving a competitor and they slashed the miles and cancelled the night element the following year.

[Mr. Dazzle]

It does seem pretty daft to be actively encouraging people to drive as much as they can when tired

Think about all the "Take a Break" signs on motorways and how many modern cars have attention alarms, time since last break indicators etc. I'd be surprised if these kind of rallies don't get their hands forced, if they haven't already been.

[The Spin Doctor]

It does seem pretty daft to be actively encouraging people to drive as much as they can when tired

Think about all the "Take a Break" signs on motorways and how many modern cars have attention alarms, time since last break indicators etc. I'd be surprised if these kind of rallies don't get their hands forced, if they haven't already been.

There are enforced stops, and of course plenty of advice not to ride when not fit to do so. However, there's also the pressure to finish, which is real enough.

Something often forgotten when organising something like this (and this is something I learned the hard way organising ride-outs) is that people will get up early, then ride long distances to the event start. They're tired before they even set off on the competitive element of the ride. The time I did the national rally, it started from Cheltenham. It's not THAT far from Oxford where I began and finished, but it's all extra miles.

[Cousin Jack]

I thought about doing it one year when it started in Bletchley Park, but never got round to entering. I won't be going from Cornwall to anywhere central.

These days I don't really plan any routes for a ride, I decide on a direction, and then pick roads that look 'interesting'. I often end up in places I have never heard of.

[Scootabout]

A few comments by way of reply to Scub, Mangocrazy, Dickyboy and Mr Dazzle. First, on the perception that these things are regimented and restrictive. Interestingly, much as I love group rides with my club, I get a bit jaded with them after a while, because they restrict my freedom. So what do I hanker after, for a change? Navigational scatter rallies. They are a contrast precisely because I have *more* freedom to plan the route I want, ride the distance I want, etc. The term 'scatter' tells you two things: 1. People go off in different directions, 2. Everyone plans their own route. The only time you bump into other people is occasionally at the earlier checkpoints. After that, it's not unusual to see no-one else at them. The Welsh rally used to have a single gathering point at the beginning and end, where you could get a coffee or breakfast before signing in, then a meal after the event if you wanted. But even that's gone now. The SW Peninsular Rally still has it, though.

The second point was the argument that since you have to cover a certain distance within a given time window, it's potentially dangerous because people will ride when tired, or maybe speed to get back in time. Spin's addressed that, but I'd add that IME you generally know fairly well before the end whether you're going to make it or not. So you don't end up rushing. I usually aim for an award and plan a contingency short cut for the award below in case something goes wrong. Then I don't need to rush and I know I'll end up with something.

Why not just plan my own circuit of, say, Wales without the rally framework, you may ask. Well I could, but the challenge element of a rally adds to the appeal, for me, and I doubt I'd motivate myself to do, say, 250 miles in a day by myself with no 'purpose'. But that's just me, and at the end of the day you may disagree and that's fine.

[Le_Fromage_Grande]

I've done 3 or 4 navigation rallies, one that lasted 6 days in Crete, another that was 3 days in Wales, they're good fun if you get in the right mind set and just enjoy the riding and seeing new places.

On the single day Welsh National I remember riding down the steepest tarmac road I've ever seen and the village with the big red hand, both places I'd have never visited otherwise.

[Le_Fromage_Grande]

And in my opinion Sat Navs have ruined navigation rallies.

[Scootabout]

And in my opinion Sat Navs have ruined navigation rallies.

I think ruined is a bit strong, but they do reduce the challenge.

[Le_Fromage_Grande]

And in my opinion Sat Navs have ruined navigation rallies.

I think ruined is a bit strong, but they do reduce the challenge.

Maybe ruined is a tad strong, it would be nice to have a non Sat Nav class (and they might well have) but I've no idea how you'd enforce it.