FarRide™ - Ride To Eat

This is the outline for future Ride to Eat FarRides

This will be of interest to those who like to take a "longer ride" with the ride being the focus not the coffee breaks. Most Ride to Eat FarRides will be planned at 1000k minimum days. This is not a group ride, there is no route to follow. Be at the Destination at the time stated and be able to complete 1000klm within a 24hr period. That is the purpose of FarRiders.

It is not of Iron Butt proportions but its aimed at those who are after a good long days ride and to meet, although briefly with fellow riders with the same mindset. On our inaugural FarRide #1 to Moree NSW most were there for 2-3hrs before heading back home to complete their 1000k+ day. The entry level IBA ride is called a SaddleSore 1600k which is 1600k under 24hrs IBA

The idea is that it be a minimum 500 klm ride to the food and drinks. 1000klm min for the day

Suggested Reading:
I also recommend a few reads of the Archive of Wisdom and this excellent writeup on Fatigue

Rules :
There aren't any just some "ground rules" to make it interesting.

1. You MUST register by emailing me the information required. This is to make sure we can get fed in a timely manner. Put some serious thought into it before informing me you are coming, do not say you are coming without making sure you are able to all being well. Let me know if you can not make it, thats just good manners don't you think. I reserve the right to place a cap limit on riders if we get too many.

2. You MUST get a fuel docket to mark your departure point or close to it.

3. You must show me that on arrival along with your distance to the meet.

4. You must email me once you have completed your ride with your total distance for the 24hrs and so we know you are safe.

In a snapshot you must do two things to be considered a finisher.

1. Be at the destination point at the designated time
2. Complete 1000klms in the 24hrs surrounding that time

But apart from that I intend this to be a honesty thing, the goal is to do a 1000 klm day minimum each but you are only cheating yourself if you don't. There will be no prizes, no certificates, no badges. Just a group of like minded riders meeting for a feed and chat. If you have only done 100-200k to get there you are going to feel very left out when everyone starts chatting about the great 500+k ride they had that morning to get there. I know how it feels to put in some good miles before lunch and everyone will be hyped. You will get listed on the FarRiders Official Members List for having completed that FarRide and that will make you a FarRider. This may not get you front row seats at the football or free beers at the local but it's something, call yourself a FarRider and be proud about your accomplishment.

We can keep it in this format for future rides or expand if any are keen.

FAQ's

1. Q. On your FarRides you talk about doing the ride in a "day" or "24hrs" can you clarify this.
A. Most riders will do the ride in the same day, leave in the early hours and get back home that same day. However this really means a 24hr period from the time you started to the time you finish inclusive of the meet time you must have done 1000k min in that 24hr period.

2. Q. Whats it cost.
A. To meet with fellow FarRiders, zip zero, nada. FarRiders supplies the location. You pay the costs of getting there and back plus feeding yourself, Davo drinks Heineken beer ;)

3. Q. I ride a SuziKawaHarlYamaOnda and its only a 250cc can I come, plus my mates got a Rocket3 can he come.
A. If you can ride 1000k a day on it, come on down. This is non bike specific, type or size.

4. Q. But I only live 50k from the Ride to Eat destination and I want to go.
A. I don't care where you live but I expect everyone to do a minumum 1000k day so you might just have to head off somewhere and come back.

5. Q. So if I live at or close to the destination where should I get my fuel docket from.
A. Once again its a trust thing but if you like you can get one from home and one at the turnaround point before heading back to the Ride to Eat destination.

6. Q. Will you be checking our trip meters etc
A. Nope, its up to you. I just want people to attempt a 1000k day and have fun doing it. However if you want to zero your trip meter before leaving and let me see, that would be great just so I can give you a hearty hand shake for well done. It ain't much but its free.

7. Q. Will you help with planning
A. We can offer hints if you have never done any distance before but the planning is part of your fun day.

8. Q. Can I camp over and ride home Sunday
A. Up to you, I ain't your mum. It does however defeat the purpose of attempting a 1,000k day though. There are two ways you can do this, you can leave the evening before and DO 1000k in the 24hrs BEFORE getting to the ride destination or do 700 or more before lunch then do a ride out and back in the afternoon.

9. Q. I live 800k away so I would have to ride 1600k for the day.
A. Yep thats about right :) However if you are doing a min 1600k day talk to me first.

10. Q. So I get bragging rights if I travel the most k's.
A. In your own mind you can be anything you like, at the meet you will just be another FarRider. This is to encourage people to ride that little bit further for a day.

11. Q. But I like to stop every 100k and have coffee, can I come.
A. I don't care if you stop every 50k for piccies and walkies its just going to take you longer so you better get up REAL early.

12. Q. What if I break down on the way.
A. Well getting there and back is your responsibility. However as the various ride dates get closer I can make my mobile number available so you can call and leave me a message so we don't worry. I have a mobile on my bike and my wife has contact with me even while riding. She will relay messages. I do however not make my number public as its distracting on long rides.

13. Q. So speeding is ok ?
A. If I hear anyone talking about speeding I will be very annoyed. I do many k's in very short time frames and I can tell you its not speed that does it, its consistancy.

14. Q. How long will you guys be there at lunch.
A. That depends on how far each rider has to travel home, myself I will be there until everyone is organised to head off. At most FarRides so far we have been at the destination for 2-3hrs.

15. Q. You say to get there at 11am as example, is that right.
A. I want everyone to aim to arrive between the times listed for that FarRide. There is a reason I want riders to get used to meeting a timed checkpoint and that will become clear down the track with FarRiders. Think of it as a timing window, aim to hit it.

16. Q. What about daylight saving time or time zones, how does that work.
A. Time to meet is based on the time zone of the destination point on the day.

I chose this distance because its doable within speed limits with time to eat and chat in the middle and still get home within the day.

The aim here is to have a group that likes to ride some distance and often on your own. Doing the ride in a small group is fine just remember that this is not a club organized ride. It is a "ride to eat" day.

If anyone is interested in making it into a leg of an IBA SS1600k which is 1600k under 24hrs please let me know. A witness is required at the start and end as part of the certificate procedure, I (David "Davo" Jones) am on the Approved IBA Witness list

I have been asked where the name came from, FarRide. I watched a movie recently called Hidalgo.
Quote from online: The Ocean of Fire -- a 3,000 mile survival race across the Arabian desert--was a challenge restricted to the finest Arabian horses ever bred, the purest and noblest lines, owned by the greatest royal families. In 1890, a wealthy sheik invited an American, Frank T. Hopkins, and his horse to enter the race for the first time.

Frank was called "Far Rider" in that movie and I liked the term when related to endurance riding.

.... thanks for your interest and I hope you can join us on a ride one day, Davo